Estrella D. Alfon was born on March 27, 1917, in San Nicolas, Cebu City. She was not only a renowned author, playwright, and journalist but was also named the most prolific Filipina writer prior to World War 2. Moreover, she’s also the only female member that is part of the group of writers that is led by Francisco Arcellana and Hernando R. Ocampo, which is the “Veronicans.” The Veronicans are the first Filipino group of writers that was established before the World War II period and who write almost exclusively in English. 

Alfon’s college journey took place at the University of the Philippines (UP), where she took a pre-medicine course but was unfortunately constrained due to the incorrect tuberculosis diagnosis. After withdrawing from the class, she continued her education at UP, earning an Associate of Arts, and was even hired as a professor of creative writing. During her stay at the said school, she also became a member of the Writers Club and held the National Fellowship in Fiction post in 1979. 

As an amazing Filipina writer, she received numerous awards and achievements including the Honorable Mention in the Commonwealth Literary Award for her “Dear Esmeralda” in 1940, won all the awards in the Arena Theater Play Writing Contest: “Losers Keepers” (first prize), “Strangers” (second prize), “Rice” (third prize), and “Beggar” (fourth prize) in the year 1961-1962, received the top prize of the Palanca Contest for  “With Patches of Many Hues,” and took home the second place for her short story “The White Dress” in the Palanca Award in 1974. 

Aside from the awarded masterpieces made by Estrella Alfon, her story entitled “Magnificence” was also an intriguing and interesting short story that was made that tackles the mother-child relationship and social issues. 

Unfortunately, on December 28, 1983, during the awards ceremony at the Manila Film Festival, Alfon suffered a heart attack while she was on stage, which caused her death.