Emma Burce Alfaro

Emma Alfaro was born in Bicol, Philippines on January 17, 1943. Her parents were Rodolfo Burce, a Chinese national and Bernarda Burce, a Filipina beauty from Bicol. She was the second child and lived happily with her 3 sisters and 3 brothers. She spent most of her childhood in Tabaco, Albay an island village in the Bicol region is where the family stayed and survived World War II.

During the war, a Japanese soldier befriended the family and has taken a liking to Emma and her older sister, because they both resembled the soldier's own children. Her early school years showed Emma as a bright and very intelligent child who likes sing, dance and draw. Because of her Chinese parentage, she attended Chinese school and she was at the top of her class. As a student, she was diligent, competitive and known to have a sharp, keen and practical mind. Emma has always strived to be number one and she never accepts being second best.

When the war ended in 1946, her family moved to Tondo, Manila and established a thriving business. Emma attended Chinese high school in Binondo, Manila where she graduated valedictorian. She was a helpful daughter to her parents, juggling school and working at the store. The family bought a house and moved to Project 7, Quezon City. However, the family went through hard times when her father passed away.

She was on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a Chemical Engineer when she got accepted at University of the East, Manila, Philippines. Ever the achiever, Emma has remained at the top of her class despite financial constraints. To save money, she borrowed books from friends and in return helped them to study. She never used a calculator because she can do numbers and solve equations in her head. However, hard times and mone3y concerns made her decide to stop university and find work as a salesgirl in a boutique store to help the family and support her siblings to school. Eventually, she found a better position at Cathay printing press as a payroll and accounting clerk.

Emma met her husband, Virgilio Alfaro, at a mutual friend's baby christening. They got married on June 15, 1969 and had four children. As a wife, she was loving, dutiful and very supportive of her husband's decisions. She loved her daughters and raised them as best as she could. She remained strong and resilient to her family even after the death of her husband in 1994. emma eventually moved to the U.S. to join her daughters and grandkids. She enjoyed spending time with her daughters and grandkids on vacation trips, and frequent gathering at the house. She loves her grandkids very much, taking care of them as best as she could.

Emma's hobbies include watching her favorite Filipino soap operas and movies, solving Sodoku puzzles, reading magazines, and recently, playing casino games on her iPad mini. She likes shopping for clothes and buying home decorations, and loves to play slots at Viejas Casino.

Emma Alfaro passed away on July 27, 2014. She has survived by her daughters Maria Celeah, Lizabel, Maria Aileen and Maria Chielo; her son-in-law Josue Bernardo, and her two grandkids, Ronald Allan Ferrer and Rhea Mae Ferrer.

Emma will be laid to rest with her husband at Glen Abbey Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.