The most persuasive element of society is culture.

It is shared, it is learned, it
is based on symbols, and it is integrated.

Culture is not a characteristic one is born with but instead, one that is learned.
Children begin learning about their culture at home with their immediate family and
how they interact with each other, how they dress, and the rituals they perform.
When one grows older and ventures out into the community, their cultural education
is advanced by watching social interactions, taking part in cultural activities and
rituals in the community, and forming their relationships, and taking their place
in the culture.

My country, the Philippines has a culture in which East meets West. We Filipino
people have a distinct Asian background, with a strong Western tradition. The
modern Filipino culture developed through influence from Chinese traders, Spanish
conquistadors, and American rulers. We Filipinos people tend to be very hospitable,
especially to Western visitors. Because of our strong ties to Spanish culture,
Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin
than Asian.

Family is the basic and most important aspect of Filipino culture. Divorce is
prohibited and annulments are rare. Family is the safety net for individuals most
especially those unlegally aged ones and older people, during difficult economic
times. Children will often stay with their parents into adulthood, only leaving
when they get married. Political and business ties are often influenced by family
relationships.

Two traits that many foreign visitors often have a difficult time understanding are
“Pakikisama” and “Utang na Loob”. “Pakikisama” roughly means getting along and
requires individuals to overlook slight improprieties or indiscretions for the sake
of preserving peace within the family, personal, or business relationship. “Utang
Na Loob” refers to the custom of paying back one favor with another. These traits
emphasize the importance that we Filipino people, place on maintaining pleasant
interpersonal relationships and putting the needs of the group ahead of the
individual.

Here in the Philippines, people greet each other with a handshake. A smile or
raised eyebrows can mean "Hello" or "Yes". Someone can be summoned with a downward
wave of the hand. We also say “Po” and “Opo” and do a “Mano” whereas you take the
hand of an elder then you bow down and put that hand on your forehead as a sign of
respect for them.

Culture defines people’s values, beliefs, and personal interests. Culture is

important because it allows people to maintain a unique identity society. Many
cultures have common interests, while others may have customs that differ greatly
from that of another. Technology has had a huge impact on present day cultures.
Many culture have been altered including my own, and some have been created due to
the rise of technology. Cultures differ so greatly that someone belonging to one
culture may not agree with the values of another, which then causes social and
ethical issues. My culture shares many similarities with others around the world;
most of which have connected more people in recent years than ever.