Piling Himno sa Zamboanga Sibugay: Pagpapahalaga at Kalagayang Panlipunan (Echoes of Identity: Values and Social Narratives in Zamboanga Sibugay Hymns)

Background and Aim: This study examines selected hymns from Zamboanga Sibugay as expressions of cultural identity and social values, challenging the conventional focus on their religious context. Through a qualitative content analysis using a linguistic-cultural lens and the Pantayong Pananaw framework, the research identifies key themes such as unity, faith, patriotism, and multiculturalism. It proposes the S3L2-Lipat-Likha model for integrating these hymns into the Filipino curriculum, fostering local awareness, creative thinking, and cultural empathy. This approach moves beyond textual analysis, reimagining literature as lived experience and highlighting hymns as essential carriers of Sibugaynon identity. Materials and Methods: The researcher employed qualitative content analysis and thematic review on six selected hymns from various municipalities of Zamboanga Sibugay. The emerging themes were classified according to five dimensions of values: moral, aesthetic, cultural, social, and spiritual. These were also linked to cultural, social, and political conditions and analyzed using the S3L2–Lipat–Likha framework for literary criticism. Results: The analysis revealed strong themes such as unity, faith, hope, and patriotism, alongside local symbolism, oral traditions, and dialect. The study also demonstrated the depth of multiculturalism and political aspirations among the Sibugaynons. Conclusion: The research recommends the integration of these hymns into the Filipino curriculum to strengthen local awareness, creative thinking, and cultural empathy among students.