The Gentle Giant
Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia
May 8, 2007 — June 8, 2026
“Just a kid with a big dream.”
Coach, dili sa ko mubalik mga five years sa Davao kay gusto nako pag madato ko, maahon nako akong pamilya sa ka pobre.
Coach, I won’t return to Davao for about five years — I want to succeed first and lift my family out of poverty.
Championships are earned, not given.
Heads up. Dili diri mag-stop atong future.
Heads up. Our future does not stop here.
Pag ako makarating sa UAAP, bibigyan talaga kita ng UAAP MVP, o kung mapagbigyan, PBA MVP. Kasi ’yan ang pangarap natin.
When I make it to the UAAP, I’ll give you a UAAP MVP — or if granted, a PBA MVP. Because that’s our dream.
From those who knew him
He wasn’t just good at basketball — he was also a good person.
We will forever remember him as our Gentle Giant — truly an MVP on and off the court.
He was a boy from a poor family who simply dreamed — not only for himself, but for us as well.
It would be a shame to waste your height.
Daghan pa man kag pangandoy nga gusto maabot.
You still had so many dreams you wanted to reach.
Na-witness namin ’yan sa Brunei — napaka-humble ng lahat ng mga bata, may puso talaga.
We saw them in Brunei — every kid so humble, with real heart.
Pinanood ko ang laro niya sa court — mabait, hindi mayabang na bata.
I watched him play on the court — a kind kid, never arrogant.
Why people relate to Rene
In their own words — voices from the public
“Bobet was not just an MVP in sports, but also in the hearts of so many — an inspiration for those who dared to dream and strive for greatness.”
“Determination — that’s what got me. I don’t know this guy, but his story and his love for family pushed him to achieve his ambition.”
“Hoping and praying that Bobet’s story will appear in textbooks someday — especially in teaching values to the young.”
“Such a very good example of a son — doing what’s best to provide. I’d be proud to have a son like him.”
“Salamat, Rene — binigyan mo ng inspirasyon ang mga kabataan na makamit ang kanilang mga pangarap, kahit sila ay mahirap.”
“Thank you, Rene — you gave the youth the inspiration to reach their dreams, even those who are poor.”
“Patunay na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan para marating ang tagumpay para sa pamilya.”
“Proof that poverty is no barrier to reaching success for your family.”
“Siya ang sumisimbolo sa kabataang Pilipino na mapagmahal sa pamilya.”
“He has become a symbol of the Filipino youth who love their families.”
“Ipapakita ko sa mga anak ko na siya ang batang malaki ang pangarap para sa pamilya niya — para maging inspirasyon nila.”
“I’ll show my kids the boy who dreamed big for his family — so he can be their inspiration.”
“Parang pareho lang sila ni June Mar Fajardo — galing din sa mahirap na pamilya, pero umabot.”
“He’s so like June Mar Fajardo — also from a poor family, who still made it.”
“Same tayo — mapagmahal sa magulang, lalo na sa ina.”
“We’re the same — devoted to our parents, especially our mothers.”
“Salamat, Rene, sa legacy na iniwan mo. Marami akong natutunan sa’yo — isa na ang magpakumbaba.”
“Thank you, Rene, for the legacy you left. I learned so much from you — among it, humility.”
“Balang-araw, sa pagtanda ko, ikukuwento ko siya sa mga apo ko — kung gaano siya kabait.”
“Someday, when I’m old, I’ll tell my grandchildren about him — how kind he was.”
“I don’t even know him personally, but his story has affected me so much.”
“Gusto kong ipa-tattoo ang “Just a kid with a big dream,” kasama ang pirma niya.”
“I want to get “Just a kid with a big dream” tattooed — along with his signature.”
In loving memory of Rene Clert N. Baterbonia.