Marlon Martin discusses the values at the center of Ifugao culture, especially community-centered thinking vs. individual action. He explains the difference between preserving material culture and strengthening intangible values, including belief systems, and emphasizes understanding ancestral beliefs without returning to past religious practices. Martin introduces the concept of togon—ancestral wisdom that guides family life, relationships, and society. He also addresses the impact of assimilation and nation-building on Ifugao identity, noting concerns about cultural loss within a dominant national culture. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing Ifugao identity as a distinct contribution to the broader Filipino national identity.