It is becoming increasingly evident that the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) is maintaining (or at least trying to maintain) tight control over the messaging surrounding the tragic deaths of basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team activity in Baler, Aurora province. It explains the very measured trickle of information out to the public over the days following the incident and the resulting outrage that had erupted as personalities — led by Baterbonia’s grieving mother — filled the gaping information void.
A recent, particularly revealing snippet of information that had come out ironically came from the “apology” statement issued by embattled Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin. In a video posted on X by the official ADMU account @ateneodemanilau sparsely captioned “A message from Coach Tab Baldwin”, Baldwin opened by saying that he was “asked to limit [his] comments this morning to four minutes”.
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Again, this turns out to be just another communication “initiative” by the Ateneo on the matter that only created more questions than answers. Classic communication snafu is Baldwin’s framing of the statement in the passive voice; further obfuscating accountability…
“I was asked to limit my comments this morning to four minutes…”
Indeed: Asked by who exactly?
For that matter, why the limit? Therein that question lies the likely answer to the first. Who or what other entity holds the most stake in curtailing the flow of first-hand information surrounding this tragedy? Why, none other than the Ateneo.
Indeed, so powerful is the influence exerted by the Ateneo that it seemingly extends beyond its employees and into mainstream media itself. This being the fourth day since the incident, no significant editorial pieces have so far been published by the major news outlets on this subject. It gets one to wondering. Beyond the fiasco that is the PR management the Ateneo is trying — and failing — to shore up (literally in this case), what other aspects of the Philippines’ market of ideas does the Ateneo have its thumb down on?
As this drama plays out, much about the true institutional character of the Ateneo is being exposed to public scrutiny. Perhaps if there is an ounce of meaning that could be harvested from this utterly senseless tragedy, it would be this. That what could be a massive narrative control machine run by the Ateneo over what could be decades is finally getting its long-overdue reckoning.
- How the political camps that presume to represent “civil society” might learn from the debacle the Ateneo finds itself in today - June 21, 2026
- WHO instructed Tab Baldwin to “limit” his public “apology” to just “four minutes”? - June 14, 2026
- The public relations debacle the Ateneo finds itself in following the tragic deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili - June 11, 2026
Apologies, this from the Manila Times editor!
Honesty needed in Ateneo tragedy
“According to one of our colleagues, who is an expert swimmer (having briefly done so competitively in his younger days) and snorkeling enthusiast, and who coincidentally visited the very beach location where the accident occurred just a few weeks ago, the beaches at Dipaculao are not at all safe for casual or inexperienced visitors. Unlike the Sabang Beach area of Baler, a few kilometers south of Dipaculao, the latter has challenging topography, featuring a steep drop-off of the seafloor a short distance offshore, and powerful waves and currents. Sabang, which is a popular spot for visitors, is monitored by lifeguards, but Dipaculao is relatively isolated, having very few visitors — mostly expert-level surfers — and no organized lifeguards or safety personnel and facilities. Our colleague, even with his higher-than-average skill and comfort with challenging water conditions, said that he would not attempt to go into the water at Dipaculao without a life jacket.”
“Risa eyes German embassy help to summon Gorebox maker”
now this is just dumb.
ateneo level dumb.