Veteran journalist Bobby Burgos passes away at 79

Veteran journalist Roberto “Bobby” Gacusana Burgos passed away at the age of 79 in his home in Baguio City on Sunday, September 10, after a lingering illness.

Burgos previously wrote for the Manila Standard, the Manila Bulletin, and the defunct DYHP-Philippine Herald Group. He also wrote for the Pahayagang Malaya and We Forum, both of which were founded by his late brother Jose Burgos Jr.

He was also the president of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Press Corps in the early 90s, and served as an official of the Defense Press Corps during the coup attempts faced by the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino.

Burgos was also the Baguio City Bureau Chief for the Journal Group of Publications from 1998 to 2001, and a lifetime member of the National Press Club (NPC).

He is survived by his wife Zenaida Cruz-Burgos, a retired professor at the University of Santo Tomas; and children who are journalists—Maria Rowena who wrote for Malaya and the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), Raymond who wrote for PDI, Manila Times, and the defunct Philippine News and Features (PNF), and Jonathan who writes for Forbes Magazine.

Burgos is also survived by daughters-in-law Millette and Djamila; and grandchildren Carlo Luigi, Robbie Michael, Marcia Alexis, Gabriel Robert, Leo Joubert, Raphael Raimond, and Sabrina Mae.

He is also survived by his children Joseph, Yayi, Barbara Angela, Rosette, and Roan.

His remains will lie in Baguio City, with the details for the wake to follow. — DVM, GMA Integrated News