MANILA, Philippines – June 19 marked the start of the commencement exercises for Ateneo de Manila University’s (AdMU) graduating seniors. It coincides with the 165th birth anniversary of Ateneo’s most distinguished alumnus, Jose Rizal.
The day for celebrations, however, quickly turned into a day of remembrance and protest for AdMU student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili, who died from drowning during a team-building activity on June 8.
During the university-wide commencement rites on Friday morning, graduating students, their guardians, and friends wore black bands on their right wrists to commemorate Baterbonia and Adili. The Ateneo Seniors’ Alliance (ASA) had earlier called on graduating seniors and super seniors to do so “as we stand with the families of Rene and Divine and carry their calls for justice, accountability, and the truth onto the stage.”
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, undergraduate students staged a walkout led by the university student government Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila.
Those who walked out gathered at Kostka Hall at 1 pm, chanting “Hustisya para kay Rene at Divine (Justice for Rene and Divine)!” Some of them carried signs and banners that read, “Ateneo, do better!”
