We define culture as the manifestation of human intellectual achievement considered collectively (Mangahas). Culture is very important for every country in this world. This is crucial to the composition of a country and the diversity of each country. Today in the Philippines, Hispanic influence is visible everywhere one goes. In the past, the Philippines was ruled by both Mexico and Spain. The influences you will see are language, food and dance. American influences are the use of the English language and modern pop culture. Religion is an important part of a country's culture. The majority of the Filipino population is Catholic. Catholics represent approximately 82% of practiced religions. The second most important religion is Islam. Muslims represent approximately 5% of the population. The majority of the Muslim population lives in the south of the country. Today in the Philippines, most people are Catholic and Christian, with only a few indigenous tribes practicing the traditions of old (Hart). Popular religion remains a source of cultural pride among Filipinos. The Philippine Islands consist of more than 7,000 islands located approximately 500 miles off the coast of southeast Asia. You can compare the land area to Arizona. Not all islands are very large as some are only a square mile. Most islands have names, but up to a third do not. The largest island in the Philippines is Luzon, which covers approximately 40,420 square miles. The islands are of volcanic origin, meaning that volcanic eruptions have formed the small islands of the Philippines over the years. Officially, the highest peak in the Philippines is Mount Apo, rising to 9,690 feet. There are a few active volcanoes in the island structure. Earthquake... middle of paper ... living for their families in the Philippines. Some of these workers hold jobs in the medical field, such as technicians, teachers, and many other things. This is an example of how caring for your family requires making sacrifices to achieve it. Filipinos are hard workers and will always put their family first. All cultures are different but also have the same influences as others. We are all different in this world. This is what makes this world a beautiful place to live. We can learn from each other and experience from each other. Learning a little about a country's culture can better help you understand why certain people are the way they are. This knowledge can benefit us in many ways, from a military point of view to simply a tourist point of view. Having an understanding and knowledge for cultural self-awareness is important for understanding people in general..