[Rappler Investigates] The Ateneo I know

Disclosure: I’m a Philosophy graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, was shaped by its values and principles — including a preferential option for the poor and high regard for social justice, justice, and the rule of law. I was immersed in its “man/woman for others” mantra, and am fully appreciative of the need for humility, cognizant of the reality that we can never claim to know everything. I continue to be a work in progress and am far from perfect.

Those who spent more than my four years in college abide by AMDG — Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (all for the greater glory of God) — and even inscribe it at the top of their assignments and written work (I saw this when I taught for just one year at the Ateneo High School after graduation).

The emphasis has been on a higher purpose, above personal gain, doing one’s very best beyond the mediocre and ordinary. The concept of magis, of excellence in most, if not everything, we do, was emphasized even to faculty members. I’ve been teaching part-time since the 1990s at the college level (and briefly at the graduate level) after post-graduate studies in journalism at Columbia, thanks to financial assistance from Ateneo. I felt the compulsion to shape future journalists who will take on the crucial task of reporting the truth with accuracy, fairness, and courage.

The recent disaster that befell Ateneo on account of the deaths of two of its players in the men’s basketball team is as horrific as can be. Follow what happened in this timeline of events leading to the passing of these promising athletes. As an alumna, seeing how the tragedy was handled was oh so gut-wrenching.

Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili drowned during a team-building activity on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora. Their story flooded most social media feeds; it was inescapable. The grief of their parents is unimaginable, its depth immeasurable. How could you lose a son entrusted to an institution that rekindled hope for a brighter and better future not only for himself, but also for his family? And now, that son is gone, never to return in the flesh, reduced to a painful memory.

Divine Adili’s Igbo name from southeastern Nigeria, Chukwuemeka, means “God has done great things,” according to reporter Delfin Dioquino. Beyond his association with basketball, Divine, the eldest of four, was known to be the family’s breadwinner. The towering 6’10 wanted to be his own man, his kin’s own source of pride. He could have been, except that he didn’t live long enough to realize it.

Bobet Baterbonia had a similar dream. The son of fish vendors and the second of seven children, the 6’4 forward was a beneficiary of the government’s 4Ps program that supports the country’s poorest. A native of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, Bobet found his way to Ateneo de Davao and had just headed to Ateneo de Manila to prepare for collegiate basketball, an entry point to a future professional league. The dream would end abruptly in the brutal waves of Aurora.

The recollection by two players Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes of what happened on June 8 and their own fears about not surviving the ordeal at sea mirror negligence and recklessness on the part of the coaching staff. 

These were college kids, not all knowing how to swim, and left at the mercy of unpredictable waters after a deadly magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck in the morning of the same day, off the coast of Sarangani. For sure, no one meant intentional harm. But no one also foresaw the danger that a seemingly faraway quake might bring. Or what the waves of the Pacific Ocean in Aurora could claim as their own. In the event of an “accident,” were there sufficient protocols in place? Was there even a lifeguard on duty?

What happened was clearly a crisis that needed swift action and response on the part of Ateneo de Manila administrators. Instead, what became visible was prolonged silence and the absence of a human face and a human voice that could have shown what a “man for others” truly was. What compounded it was a series of cold public statements issued with the Ateneo logo, and one even signed by president, Fr. Bobby Yap, explaining that it was the university that asked coach Tab Baldwin to refrain from making any public statements.

There was opaqueness instead of transparency about the truth. There was too much control, bordering on censorship. There was ignorance about the perils of social media and giving lies free rein to spread quickly. There was no clear accountability. There was no evident leadership. No one was in charge and in command. In that vacuum, those with an agenda took advantage.

The Ateneo I know would have been more agile, authentic in showing compassion and empathy. It would have been more truthful early on. It would have quickly assembled a capable and competent team that knew what best to do in the worst of times, guided by prayerful reflection and eventual enlightened discernment.

Investigations are ongoing, and accountability will be determined, including whether or not Ateneo will be suspended from the UAAP or the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. If the facts support that, then so be it. The two boys will likely be at peace. 

But first, let us establish the facts. Quickly. And Ateneo, let’s not keep them secret, please.

Till Thursday after next!

Robin Padilla skips Senate special session for movie’s special screening

Sara Duterte’s impeachment pre-trial: How it compares to Estrada, Corona

Discaya couple’s new flood control corruption cases

Jinggoy’s ailments across 3 plunder cases — from heart to shoulders to knees

LIST: Private prosecutors in VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

– Rappler.com

Rappler Investigates is a bimonthly newsletter of our top picks delivered straight to your inbox every other Thursday. Visit rappler.com/newsletters to subscribe.