Final answer:
The bodies of water around the Philippines are generally warm due to the country's tropical climate and the slow rate at which water heats and cools. The region experiences warm water temperatures even into the winter months, providing a stable environment for marine life in this biodiversity hotspot. Typhoon activity also contributes to the temperature and precipitation in the area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The temperature of the bodies of water in the vicinity of the Philippines tends to be warm due to the country's tropical climate and geographical location. Warm ocean waters around the Philippines are influenced by both the country's position in the Western Pacific's major typhoon belt and the seasonal temperature changes of the ocean. The water retains heat longer than land, thus affecting the coastal and overall temperature of the region, where typhoon activity is also common, bringing additional warmth and precipitation.
These environmental conditions create a unique situation where despite it being mountainous with the presence of active volcanoes, like Mount Apo and Taal Volcano, the surrounding bodies of water maintain warm temperatures. In accordance with the principle that water heats up and cools down slowly, during the winter months, the Philippine waters are still warmer due to heat retention from the summer, which contributes to a delay in the onset of the coldest temperatures, and likewise, intervals of warmth are experienced into the winter months. This provides a relatively constant warm environment for marine biodiversity, which is vital considering the Philippines is a conservation hotspot for terrestrial and marine ecosystems.