This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study investigated the risk of language attrition and cultural erosion among Bagobo Klata students at Sirib National High School, exploring how they navigate identity within a multilingual environment dominated by Bisaya, Filipino, and English. Guided by Stuart Hall’s Cultural Identity Theory, I used a purposive sampling method to select 10 indigenous student samples to examine their personal struggles, linguistic choices, and cultural negotiation via semi-structured interviews and Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework.

The findings revealed five major themes, highlighting a decline in native language competence and distinct emotional and social consequences from the language shift, alongside resilient ties to cultural preservation. Ultimately, the preference for dominant languages demonstrates how mainstream communication subtly displaces indigenous mother tongues. This continuous identity struggle underscores an urgent conclusion structured institutional support and community-led programs are vital to protect and revitalize the Bagobo Klata heritage.