The stories compiled in this publication, Stories of hope from Mt. Kalatungan: the Manobo and Talaandig experience in defending and conserving their ancestral lands, tell of the journey of local communities who, for a long time, have lived a life of their own celebrating their culture and traditions. However, with increased global economic pressure, these communities have now witnessed how their ancestral lands and the forests are being depleted and how their rich traditions are gradually being lost. The stories provide insights on how communities translated their beliefs and principles on managing their resources in the quest to strengthen their security of customary tenure.