De la Cruz was 17 when he won the Palanca. The play eventually won third prize in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 1971-1972, the Philippines’ most prestigious literary awards. The gigantic masks used in the production were designed and made by Claudio Tinio. Ticklishly written in Taglish (code-switching in the use of Tagalog and English), it was staged by the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s teen-theater artists under the supervision of Lutgardo Labad on June 12 and 13, 1971, at the open-air Rajah Sulayman Theater in the old ruins of Fort Santiago in Manila. A satire on the Philippine Constitutional Convention, the play pioneered the use of Philippine monsters in theater and modern literature.

He wrote Kombensiyon ng mga Halimaw (Monsters’ Convention), animating and making Philippine monsters more interesting. Anthropological Papers (National Museum (Philippines)) (7): 32–34.In the past, literature on Philippine monsters was limited. ^ 'What is a tiyanak? The Pinoy mythological creature's chilling origins explained'.^ 'Top 10 scariest Filipino mythological creatures'.^ 'Of 'barang' and 'mananambal' on Siquijor Island'.Asian Center, University of the Philippines. The Hiligaynon: An Ethnography of Family and Community Life in Western Bisayas Region. Philippines: University of the Philippines Press. ^ Tagalog-English Dictionary by Leo James English, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Manila, distributed by National Book Store, 1583 pages, ISBN 971-91055-0-X.

^ Philippine Demonological Legends and Their Cultural Bearings, Maximo Ramos, Phoenix Publishing 1990.

^ 'What the Folktales: Philippine mythical creatures you need to know'.

^ 'Why indigenous folklore can save animals' lives'.

^ The Aswang Complex in Philippine Folklore, Maximo Ramos, 1990, Phoenix Publishing.

Tiyanak: un-baptized newborn baby that tricks and preys on people that are usually lost in the woods.

Tikbalang: lurk in the mountains and forests a tall, bony humanoid creature with the head and hooves of a horse and disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats down.

They wander around at night in search of children to devour but they keep the hearts to make amulets.

Sigbin: a goat with very large ears, a long whip-like tail that emits a foul stench and two grasshopper-like legs on its neck that enable it to jump far distances.

Sarangay: a creature like a minotaur with jewels attached to its ears.

Pugot: a shapeshifting fiend whose true shape is that of a gigantic black headless creature.

Nuno sa punso: (literally, goblin of the mound) goblins or elves who live within mysterious lumps of soil (ant hills) provide a person who steps on their shelter with good luck or misfortune.

Multo: is a term used to describe the spirit of a dead person or animal that visually appears in the lives of people that are still alive.

Mangkukulam: bruha (from Spanish: bruja, 'witch') are witches, wizards, bruho (Spanish:brujo, 'wizard, male witch'), or sorcerers who cast evil spells to humans also called manggagaway.

Mambabarang: witches who utilize insects to do their bidding.

Kapre: muscular tree giants described as being a tall (7 to 9 ft), big, black, terrifying, and hairy.

goblin, elf, charm' < ' duen de (casa)', owner of the house) there are two types of Dwende the white and black, white Dwende represent as good motive and the black is a bad,

Dwende: goblins, hobgoblins, elves or dwarfs ( Spanish: duende ' little creatures who provide good fortune or foretell an ominous fate to people.

reside in large trees, such as acacia and balete, and tend to be resentful of humanity's intrusion into their realm

Diwata: (from Sanskrit devata, ' gods'), engkantada (from Spanish encantada, ' enchantress, charmed') or engkanto (from Spanish encanto, 'spell, incantation, charm') are gods and goddesses below the supreme deity or deities some are similar to dryads who guard natural creations such as forests, seas, mountains, land and air fair-skinned, good-looking and, sometimes, blonde-haired.

Busaw: cannibalistic creatures who resemble humans.

Bungisngis: one-eyed giant, purported to dwell in Meluz, Orion, Bataan, and Cebu described as always laughing.

Batibat: demons in the form of obese hags.

Bal-Bal: an undead monster that feeds on corpses.

Anggitay: female beings like centaurs, the opposite of tikbalang.

Amomongo: a man-sized ape with long nails.

Amalanhig: failed aswangs who rise from their graves to kill via neck bite.

Alan: deformed, winged spirits with fingers and toes that point backwards.

Philippine folklore meaning