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Elena M. Patron, one of the few women pioneer writers in Philippine komiks, is perhaps best known for her work “Blusang Itim,” a komiks serial that was later adapted into film top billed by popular movie stars Snooky Serna and Richard Gomez. But it was with her novel “Kapatid Ko ang Aking Ina” where she was formally recognized as a writer of first caliberwhen it won the Film Academy of Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Award for Best Story when it was made into a film.
Born in Ermita, Manila to working-class parents (her father was a driver to an American businessman and her mother sold native delicacies), Patron first wrote as contributor for Liwayway and Bulaklak Publications in 1959 when she was 26 years old.She was consequently invited to join Liwayway as journalist on account of her being “the most promising” among the new crop of writers. Patron later rose to become a movie section and women’s section editor for the said publication and later gained prominence as a story writer for komiks.Among the numerous serialized komiks stories she has written, Patron considers “Sleeping Beauty” as her biggest hit story. It was, in Patron’s own words, the work that “made” her rather than her who made it. With the story’s publication in Aliwan Komiks, the publishing company saw its komiks circulation shoot up from 30,000 to more than 100,000—proof of the strong following her stories enjoyed. It enabled her to be widely recognized and likewise assured her a unique place in popular Filipino literature and popular culture in general.
Patron is a versatile writer. Her works range from drama, science fiction, fantasy, horror, comedy, to action/adventure. Among the most notable are: “Lord, Give Me a Lover,” “Mamayang Hatinggabi,” “The Adult Kid,” “Kababata Ko Si Hudas,” “Balbakwa,” and “Pompa.”
Patron has also written more than 300 novels several of which have been made into films. Some have also been adapted for television. She is a star in her own right and her name towers among other female komiks greats like Nerissa Cabral and Gilda Olvidado.
These days, the name Elena M. Patron evokes a nostalgic ring especially to those who grew up in the 70’s and the 80’s. In fact, Patron, together with her fellow writers in komiks, is considered a living legend by those who are familiar with her works, as well as for those who study Philippine popular culture and history.
Left to Right: Fernando Beup (WK Feature Writer), Florence Maglalang (WK Managing Editor), Ms. Elena M. Patron and Mr. Andrew O. Baltazar (WK Publisher)
For her pioneering works in the komiks medium, she has been cited in the American Journal by John A. Lent as the first female writer to have ventured into the field of comics.
Patron is a recipient of numerous awards, among them are the following: FAMAS, Catholic Mass Media Award, Citizen Council for Mass Media Award, Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Awards, Starlight Cultural Foundation Award, KOMOPEB, Gantimpala Quezon sa Panitikan Achievement Award from Doña Elena Roces, Gawad Pagkilala from the University of the Philippines and Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino.
Patron currently resides in Parañaque City. Now in her 70’s, she intends to continue writing for as long as she can.
