AncientFaces Your browser does not support JavaScript!
Please enable JavaScript to view the entire contents of this page.

Add photo

Godofredo Burce Bunao 1926 - 2010

Godofredo Burce Bunao of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California was born on August 3, 1926 in Philippines, and died at age 84 years old on October 1, 2010 in Los Angeles.

Godofredo Burce Bunao

G Burce Bunao

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California 90004

August 3, 1926

Philippines

October 1, 2010

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Male

Looking for someone else

Godofredo Burce Bunao Godofredo Bunao (1926 - 2010)

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Godofredo.

Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.

Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...

Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Godofredo Burce Bunao's History: 1926 - 2010

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.

- Discover how AncientFaces works.

Introduction

Born in the Phillipines, Bunao was a well known poet and journalist in the Phillipines and retired from the Manila Times in the early 1970s. He won the Palanca Award for Poetry in English in 1969. During the reign of Fernando Marcos in the Philippines, he and his wife Fe ran a bakery. HeGodofredo and Fe Buenavides-Bunao had 9 children. His book of poetry, The Quiver and the Fear, was published in English in 1968. In the late 1970s, they migrated to California where he served as a mentor to other writers, and yet he still continued to visit the Philippines. See Godofredo Burce Bunao: Obituary. For a sample of his work, read The Tree - a poem by G. Burce Bunao or Worms by Godofredo Burce Bunao and To Rizal by G. Burce Bunao. Belying his short stature, Mr. Bunao was considered a literary giant. When asked how tall he was, he liked to answer, “Six-four.” To which he added the punch line, “Six inches and four feet.” He was said to be well-known for his wit and humor, as you can see from this anecdote. He was survived by his wife, Fe, and nine children and grandchildren. See Award-winning poet Fred Bunao writes 30 and Godofredo Burce Bunao: Obituary.
08/3

1926

Birthday

August 3, 1926

Birthdate

Philippines

Birthplace

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Ethnicity & Family History

Godofredo was Asian, of Filipino heritage.
Nationality & Locations

Born, raised, and spending his early adulthood in the Philippines, Godofredo migrated to California, United States in the late 1970s but he returned to visit Manila when he could. He died in Los Angeles, California.
Early Life & Education

Godofredo was an English Literature major at the University of the Philippines, where he also became a staff member of the school publication Philippine Collegian.
Professional Career

Godofredo was a poet, journalist, and for a while after retiring from journalism, he was the owner of a bakery. He also worked as a copywriter for the newspaper Manila Times in the early 1970s.
Personal Life & Family

Mr. Bunao was considered a "literary giant" despite his height. When asked how tall he was, he liked to answer, “Six-four.” To which he added the punch line, “Six inches and four feet.” He was said to be well-known for his wit and humor, as you can see from this anecdote. He was survived by his wife, Fe, and several children and grandchildren.
10/1

2010

Death

October 1, 2010

Death date

passed away peacefully while taking a pre-dinner nap

Cause of death

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
Death location

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Obituary

Godofredo Burce Bunao passed away on October 1, 2010 at 84 years old. He was born on August 3, 1926. We know that Godofredo Burce Bunao had been residing in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California 90004. The memorial services for Fred Burce Bunao will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038. There will a viewing of his remains from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A memorial banquet will be held immediately after the memorial services at the Salakot, a Filipino-American restaurant, which is located very close to the intersection of Alvarado St. and Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. Obituary from the Phillipine Daily Inquirer, October 18 2010 POET-PUNDIT GODOFREDO Burce Bunao passed away October 1st in Los Angeles, California. He was literary editor of the UP Collegian in the late ’40s. Bunao retired in the early 1970s from the Manila Times publications. He published his poetry in Manila journals and won the Palanca Award for Poetry in English in 1969. He was well-known for his wit and humor. Aside from his award-winning poetry, the fallen pundit will be best remembered for cracking a satirical slogan that made the rounds during the martial-law days of the Marcos regime. With the Manila Times closed by Marcos, he and his wife put up a bakery. Fred quipped: Pag hindi umalsa ang masa, walang tinapay sa mesa. (English: When the dough does not rise, there is no bread on the table.) Fred Bunao migrated to California in the late ’70s. He served as literary mentor of several journalists and book authors. He visited Manila last year and was feted by old friends The poet-pundit is survived by his wife, Fe, and several children and grandchildren.

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below

Join 6 others
who remember Godofredo

Select options below to share special moments.

Baptism Religious Beliefs Military Service Gravesite & Burial Add Memory Add Photo Ask others to share How this works

Share what you remember.
Ask what you wish to know.
Connect to discover more.
Advertisement
Did you know?

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below

5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Godofredo

Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

12/01/2022

Worms by Godofredo Burce Bunao

It isn't the kind of illness that pushes one

down flat; she still reports, like everyone,

to the office, and the rest of her time she lives

the way she must, holding on to what she believes.

But, somehow, word has seeped out that Miss Ver is sick.

She may not last the year "a dirty trick" said a voice in the room

where meets the board: Miss Ver has fed the firm

much of its hoard of profit and prestige.

All the while age has crept after her in that

huge air cooled cage that has become her home

and now her sickbed; management will care for her

till she falls dead; She's listed under assets

but, more than this, it is laws that hire the doctor -

she knows it is meantime, a few have dreams about her chair.

Worms dream--she laughs--of corpses that they can share.

Comments

Helene Staley

11 favorites

08/18/2023

This is very profound and insightful poetry. Ver means "truth." Amongst those who cannot understand it fully is corruption by those who cannot see beyond the earthly physical. The poet's analogy and metaphors of worms and corpses is brilliant. The poet sees the physical manifestations of the spiritual when others see only the physical treasures of this world. While those still in body see only assets, truth still is inclined to share all of what it is -- which is defined by goodness, this willingness to do good; regardless of what deviant things go on around it.

Favorite (1)

Helene Staley

11 favorites

08/18/2023

My Impressions 08 18 2023 Friday evening

This is the first time I have met G. Godofredo, I was introduced to him by his son Alfred when he referred me to his poetry. When I read Tree poem it was very apparent I was enjoying some arm and breath of Heaven directing the love of what is Both Good and True. His words are deeply spiritual and heart felt. His poem is a unique expression of the correspondences between those of nature, freewill and the Spirit of God held tightly in the soul as childhood correspondences that remain innocent all of our lives. These first impressions stay with us, imprint at childhood, and they grow with us like the branches of a tree rooted in innocence. Innocence is the most important aspect of our spiritual existence. It enables us to grow and create.

Comments

Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

03/09/2023

Award-winning poet Fred Bunao writes 30

Published on GMA News Online, written by Joseph G. Lariosa on October 6, 2010:

CHICAGO — Award-winning Filipino poet Fred Burce Bunao died in his sleep Friday in Los Angeles in California, according to the news website Mabuhay Radio. He was 84. The reason for Bunao’s death is unclear, but according to the site, Bunao was already sickly and was showing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease prior to his death. Bunao is survived by his wife, Fe, and nine children. Born of Bicolano parents on August 3, 1926 in Intramuros in Manila, Bunao worked as a copywriter for the newspaper Manila Times in the early 1970s, just before the declaration of martial law in the country. An English Literature major at the University of the Philippines, where he also became a staff member of the school publication Philippine Collegian, Bunao went on to write fine poetry, winning the Palanca Award for Poetry in English in 1969. Bunao is best remembered for coining the satirical slogan, popular among anti-dictatorship activists during the Marcos regime: “Walang tinapay sa mesa kung hindi aalsa ang masa" - (There will be no bread on the table if the masses will not revolt). It was an effective play at double meanings, with aalsa ang masa equally meaning “the dough will rise" in the traditional baker’s sense, and “the masses will rise up" in the political activist sense.

Comments

Helene Staley

11 favorites

08/18/2023

G. Burce Bunao is certainly a beautiful angel from Heaven who left his footsteps here for us to learn from and enjoy.

Favorite (1)

Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

03/09/2023

To Rizal by G. Burce Bunao

Not unshaken by the wailing waves
And yet unshattered all through stern and bow,
Here on the shore of Peace for which it craves
The ship has come from shadowed oceans now.

But you, my skipper are not here to see
The port to which you taught us steer the ship;
Some tyrant hands had snatched you from midsea
And hurled your body on Death's finger tip

Until the hero's blood from out your heart
That fed the firm conviction of your mind
Dropped on the surging see like many a dart.

But then we would not turn nor lag behind,
For every drop of blood that stained the path
Engendered hope, and strength, and vengeful wrath.

Comments

Kathy Pinna

31.2k+ favorites

04/26/2021

The Tree - a poem by G. Burce Bunao

The tree was very beautiful to me

When I was a boy

I climbed for fruit or out of a branch of the tree

Made me a toy–

A top, for instance, that spun around, carefree

And wound for joy

Until it toppled over and was dead.

No longer the boy,

I find the tree as beautiful as though not

Just for branch

Or a bunch of fruit but-more than that-for a bed

Or to fence the ranch

In which I raise the beasts that fill the pot

In the many shapes

My simple commerce turn them to like bread

Or fish or grapes

To feed the brood the little woman me.

There go the boys.

Go watch them, strong limb; spread up the tree,

They pluck their toys

Out of its branches, as out of my childhood tree

I shaped my joys.

“Every little thing that happens in our childhood is somewhat memorable. It makes us smile every time we reminisce to those memories. This poem is also pertaining to the joys of the children while playing in the tree. Those moments still remains every time a child see the tree that becomes a part of their lives.”

Comments

Loading...one moment please

- See how biographies work.

Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

Godofredo Bunao's Family Tree & Friends

Godofredo Bunao's Family Tree

Parent

Godofredo Burce Bunao Aug 3, 1926 - Oct 1, 2010

Partner

Child

Sibling

Friendships

Godofredo's Friends

6 Followers & Sources

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

Other Biographies

Other Bunao Family Biographies

Bunao, Solano (Aug 22, 1916 - Feb 28, 1994) Bunao, Margaret (Jul 3, 1935 - Mar 20, 2010) Bunao, Elsie (Oct 31, 1915 - May 10, 2005) Bunao, Rosa (Aug 8, 1916 - Sep 16, 2006) Bunao, Tranquilin (Jul 6, 1916 - Mar 5, 2003) Bunao, Tiburcio (Apr 15, 1915 - May 1983) Bunao, Silveria (Jun 20, 1912 - Sep 15, 1996) Bunao Jr, Fausto (Dec 15, 1931 - Jan 4, 2003)

Bunao, Juan (Sep 15, 1909 - Nov 1973) Bunao, Domingo (Jun 12, 1936 - Nov 1976) Bunao, Sergio (Oct 16, 1938 - Jan 12, 1994) Bunao, Rodolfo (Oct 6, 1940 - May 17, 2010) Bunao, Rolando (Aug 11, 1945 - Oct 5, 2010) Bunao, Gregorio (Nov 24, 1926 - Sep 15, 2005) Bunao, Virgilio (Jun 5, 1946 - Apr 4, 2002) Bunao, Maximo (Born circa 1912)

About the AncientFaces Community

Godofredo Burce Bunao 1926 - 2010

Godofredo Burce Bunao's History: 1926 - 2010

Introduction

Birthday

Ethnicity & Family History

Nationality & Locations

Early Life & Education

Professional Career

Personal Life & Family

Death

Obituary

5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Godofredo

Godofredo Bunao's Family Tree & Friends

Godofredo Bunao's Family Tree

Godofredo's Friends

Other Bunao Family Biographies