This study explores the complex interrelationship between cultural practices and economic development in the upland communities of Mt. Isarog in Goa, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Using a mixed methods approach by integrating ethnography, and econometric models, the study reveals how traditions influence economic activities, alleviate poverty, and improve community well-being. It analyzed the key dimensions of culture such as language, rituals, arts, and socio-economic characteristics with multidimensional econometric indicators to determine poverty and promote economic development. Research findings show that cultural aspects, including oral traditions and systems of kinship, determine much of the economic outcome, but socio-economic factors, such as education and family structure, fundamentally influence the development of a community. This study contributes to the understanding of integrating cultural preservation into economic policies for sustainable development by mapping cultural features and assessing their effects on economic activities. It shall ultimately benefit policymakers and community leaders who are part of the development strategy proposed in this study.