This essay discusses the main uses of culture, including its technical anthropological meaning. Culture expresses a basic contradiction of modernity—the simultaneous lack and surplus of meaning. This ambiguity of culture is indicated by the expression, 'human beings are animals with culture'. This essay argues that a basic misunderstanding of the nature of culture is responsible for many contemporary problems. The uses and implications of culture for Philippine society are explored based on recent practical examples from the ongoing centennial celebrations.