Home: Staying in Touch

Here is more cell phone traffic than in any other country in the world, I have heard. And I believe it. The cellular phones here are inexpensive and many have them. Texting is more affordable than is voice, so everyone is texting. Of course you can get free text on the Internet, but the cell phone is cheaper than the computer. So it is more popular here.

Internet cafes where you can browse the Web or check e-mail are widespread and charge less than 50 cents an hour. Internet costs have dropped, and access is improving. If you bring your laptop computer, you may wish to purchase a prepaid Internet card or subscribe to an Internet Service Provider. Using the Internet and your personal computer, you can speak to people in many parts of the world for around $.50 an hour.

A cell phone from another country may not work here. Better check with list members regarding your phone if you have one.

DSL Internet is available in Manila, Cebu and Davao, unlimited, for $50 ISD. There is a budget package now, for $15 USD, limited to 49 hours per week. In general, the rest of the Philippines has only dial up, but some almost as fast as The Philippine Long Distance Telephone company's service. Other companies, such as Globe, also have packages for DSL service, maybe better. To find you what these and other dialups cost, best to join the free mailing list and get more information from the List members who have these connections.

Cebu has an international airport, a US Consul, and an excellent Philippine Bureau of Immigration office, so if you want to get home quickly for an emergency it is easy except during Christmas time when many flights are fully booked.