Paper Title
GLIMPSE INTO ATA-DIBABAWON LITERATURE: NARRATIVES ABOUT THEIR CULTURE

Abstract
Literature and culture serve as deftly woven threads that create a community's fabric of identity and collective memory. But when civilizations change in response to modernity and globalization, it becomes increasingly difficult to preserve these cultural aspects. To prevent the rich culture and the literary narratives from fading away, the delicate balance between the traditional and the modern must be nurtured. This study aimed to elaborate the importance of culture and literature as cornerstones of community identityof native Ata-Dibabawon in Kapalong Davao del Norte, Philippines, while addressing the looming specter of their potential erosion over time. The study focused on exploring the culture and literature of the Ata-Dibabawon showing cultural values thriving in the midst of a changing world. Employing the phenomenological research design, this study explored the rich cultureand history of Ata-Dibabawon through their stories and songs. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were employed to unveil the essence of the community's identity andtheir traditions and values. Findings revealed that the narratives illuminated the depth of their heritage and bridged the gapbetween past and the present. The Ata-Dibabawons haveintricate mechanisms in handing down their culture to the young generation which show how they preservetheir cultural legacies for future generations. Maintaining the integrity of their culture depends critically on continuing devotion to cultural values and the preservation of literature. Keywords - Ata-Dibabawon, Literature, Cultural Values, Phenomenology, Philippines