Tiyanak was a box office hit in 1988, cementing the phrase "Anak ni Janice" as a staple of Philippine pop culture. The film received widespread acclaim, particularly for its use of an animatronic monster baby instead of CGI, which heightened its eerie realism. Lotlot De Leon's harrowing hospital scene remains one of the film's most praised moments, continuing to captivate new generations of horror fans.
Mary Walter's scenes have been frequently parodied by stand-up comedians, even to this day.
In 2025, at the height of the "Labubu" toy craze in Asia, netizens humorously likened Janice de Belen's iconic Tiyanak scene, where she cradles the demonic infant in a theater, calling her the original owner of Labubu toys.