Beyond basketball: June Mar Fajardo shares reason for ‘Emily Rose’ visit in Germany

Remember June Mar Fajardo’s “bucket list” visit to the grave of Anneliese Michel (Emily Rose)? The San Miguel star shares a profound reason why.

Back in July, many-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo visited the grave of Anneliese Michel, the real-life inspiration from The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Art by Mitzi Solano/One Sports

Remember when San Miguel Beermen star June Mar Fajardo took an unexpected detour from basketball this past to July, traveling not for a game but for a deeply personal reason? 

A couple of months back, the many-time PBA MVP visited the grave of Anneliese Michel, the real-life inspiration from The Exorcism of Emily Rose.

But why though? A self-professed horror fan, Fajardo’s deep interest with Michel’s story drove him to make the visit.

“Mahilig kasi ako sa horror ‘eh, tapos napanood ko ‘yung movie niya [the Exorcism of Emily Rose] ilang beses, tapos binasa ko talaga yung ano niya [history]. Siya talaga yung pinunta ko doon sa Germany,” he shared with One Sports.

Initially thinking the grave was in Amsterdam, Fajardo put a lot of thought and effort into honoring Michel as he made his way to Germany.

“Nag-punta pa ako ng Amsterdam, akala ko nasa Amsterdam yung ano niya [grave], pero nung napanood ko, nasa Germany pala.”

For Fajardo, his visit was far from a casual tourist stop. He shared how Michel’s story of suffering struck a chord with him, opting the gentle giant to seek out her resting place.

“Hindi ako nag-punta doon para magpa-picture lang, nag-punta ako doon para mag pay ng respects kasi alam ko yung pain na dinaanan niya, halos lahat naman tayo dumaan sa pain niya,” June Mar shared.

Michel’s struggle with illness and her perceived demonic possession led to a controversial series of exorcisms that led to her death, which then led Fajardo to see in her story as a reflection of our own battles and his.

“Ako dumaan din ako sa rock bottom. Pero iba ‘yung sa kanya, iba ‘yung sa kanya, pero pain is pain,” June Mar said.

Fajardo made a two-hour train journey to the grave site to fulfill a long-held goal of visiting and honoring Annaliese Michel.

“Halos bumiyahe ako ng two hours papunta sa grave niya. Nasa bucket list ko kasi ‘yun eh. So ayun, na-achieve ko ‘yun.”

With this meaningful trip, Fajardo showed that this was more than just ticking off an item off his bucket list; it was an act of empathy.