Myrna de.la.Paz author page

Myrna de la Paz biography

Myrna J. de la Paz is a Filipino author and storyteller whose work draws on indigenous Philippine traditions for young readers. Born in Manila, she grew up in a town in northern Mindanao where indigenous Malay-Austronesian spiritual beliefs are practiced alongside Christianity, a dual heritage that informs her writing, theater, and film projects.

De la Paz is the author of Abadeha: The Philippine Cinderella, a retelling of the Cinderella story set in the Philippines. The picture book was first published by Shen’s Books in 2001 and later reissued by Lee & Low Books in 2014, with illustrations by Youshan Tang. Classroom resources, including a teacher’s guide, support the title for elementary readers.

Beyond picture books, de la Paz has written and directed Bakunawa, a stage play inspired by the traditions of the Bagobo people. Her creative work reflects long-standing interest in preserving and sharing Philippine myth and folklore with contemporary audiences.

De la Paz’s publications and performances present cultural narratives in accessible forms for children and families, highlighting themes, characters, and imagery rooted in Philippine storytelling.