General Info

[AsianPursuits]

Gentlemen: I'm not an avid poster here but appreciate all of the great reports! I'm trying to confirm some information my lady friend just sent me in Manila. I just received it Friday, May 27th here in the USA. Late afternoon! She said GMA. A Philippine TV station mentioned EFFECTIVE June 1st. NO MORE COVID TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINES.. IF.. IF.. YOU HAVE YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! Can someone confirm this? This isn't a joke. I just want to confirm any changes as I'm arriving in early June. I did just check. Website and no info there yet! I hope this is true and I hope this is helpful to others!

Circulating in numerous news sources. Or check this official site: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175295.

Good news.

[Barney Rubber]

Gentlemen: I'm not an avid poster here but appreciate all of the great reports! I'm trying to confirm some information my lady friend just sent me in Manila. I just received it Friday, May 27th here in the USA. Late afternoon! She said GMA. A Philippine TV station mentioned EFFECTIVE June 1st. NO MORE COVID TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINES.. IF.. IF.. YOU HAVE YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! Can someone confirm this? This isn't a joke. I just want to confirm any changes as I'm arriving in early June. I did just check. Website and no info there yet! I hope this is true and I hope this is helpful to others!

[WestCoast1]

For those needing a swab test on the way out of Manila going back home:

https://www.facebook.com/rtpcrswabph/

[Gen X Baer]

Let's brace and see how this impacts PH.

[Bushes]

I actually have / had multiple phones / numbers and would forward calls to my local phone / SIM. Better to leave your primary phone in the safe, especially if it is expensive one.

I am not sure if the good old days of easy travel will return. In the current climate, one of the reasons you could be nabbed or movement restricted is Covid. If you are far from your hotel and cannot get back if a lockdown / quarantine happens, it is better to have your good phone and SIMs with you. So far doesn't happen in Philippines.

In my personal situation.

I put my Au phone to a separate phone which stays in my room.

I put the local sim into my main phone. I use the data for my usual apps like Whatsapp, which retain my Au number.

[Bushes]

Are you using an e Sim with Verizon? Check the menu, you should be able to software disable a SIM if using multiple SIMS. You can always test in the US with a cheap prepaid Sim or borrow a SIM from a willing friend.

Always check the SIM status if roaming, especially if you have multiple SIMS. I had cases in the past where my SIM selection would change randomly. Had a couple cases where I got charged for receiving SMS at exhorbitant rates in Europe.

As for calls and data, you need to set in your menu. Verizon might allow you to disable international roaming or calls but I don't recommend it.

Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

My situation:

I have an unlocked Verizon iPhone 13 pro. Verizon told me I can buy a SIM at the MNL airport and use it with my phone. Any local calls are charged to the account associated with the SIM. And calls made to / from the US (my home) will be handled / charged to my US Verizon account.

Somehow that seems too easy.

[AsianPursuits]

Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

Somehow that seems too easy.

In my personal situation.

I put my Au phone to a separate phone which stays in my room.

I put the local sim into my main phone. I use the data for my usual apps like Whatsapp, which retain my Au number.

[Albert9989]

The iPhone 13 has dual sim capability. It is like two phones in one. You will keep your Verizon number and get a new number for your new sim card. Yes, it is that easy. I have used dual sim card phones for years. The phone will not have two physical sim cards. One will be an e-sim card. You need to know if your Verizon account is on a physical sim card or an e-sim. That information will be valuable when getting your Manilia sim card. Lots of information out there on dual sim card information. Good Luck.

Many phones have real dual sim, mine, OnePlus, have two sim slots, so I can keep my national sim and add a local one.

But generally I prefer to remove the national one and keep only the locally brought one mainly to avoid any mistakes.

[AggieDad1]

Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

My situation:

I have an unlocked Verizon iPhone 13 pro. Verizon told me I can buy a SIM at the MNL airport and use it with my phone. Any local calls are charged to the account associated with the SIM. And calls made to / from the US (my home) will be handled / charged to my US Verizon account.

Somehow that seems too easy.

The iPhone 13 has dual sim capability. It is like two phones in one. You will keep your Verizon number and get a new number for your new sim card. Yes, it is that easy. I have used dual sim card phones for years. The phone will not have two physical sim cards. One will be an e-sim card. You need to know if your Verizon account is on a physical sim card or an e-sim. That information will be valuable when getting your Manilia sim card. Lots of information out there on dual sim card information. Good Luck.

[DzikaBomba]

I wondered why nobody here is talking about the recent elections.

Marcos jr. Will be the new President and he is a lapdog of Mr. Xi.

Times will change for us.

We should enjoy the phills now. It will change soon.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/23...to-higher-gear

[MrHappyKat]

The unlimited roaming deals from our Australian providers is $5-$10/ day. Meaning my 14 day visit for data will be $140. Or I use a local Globe Sim card for 2 x Go90 7 day promotions cost me P180 = $5 total. With the $135 difference I can put that P5,000 to a great overnighter. Plus I have a local PH number which freelancers, drivers, hotels can contact me.

Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

My situation:

I have an unlocked Verizon iPhone 13 pro. Verizon told me I can buy a SIM at the MNL airport and use it with my phone. Any local calls are charged to the account associated with the SIM. And calls made to / from the US (my home) will be handled / charged to my US Verizon account.

Somehow that seems too easy.

[AsianPursuits]

If you have a international plan like I have from T Mobile and have grab app you can use it without problem. Long time ago I always had to get a unlocked phone and buy SIM cards from countries I visit. Load up minutes etc which was annoying. Now I get dial tone in any country and unlimited data. My phone works just like home in USA. Only thing is calls cost per minute. But I do not mind. My phone bill can be deducted from taxes anyway. With grab you need not deal with taxi mafia in Philippines.
As for ATM use Bank ATM at the Mall in Angeles just outside the bank. It is safe. When in Manila use China bank ATM. They can be found in the malls as well.

The unlimited roaming deals from our Australian providers is $5-$10/ day. Meaning my 14 day visit for data will be $140. Or I use a local Globe Sim card for 2 x Go90 7 day promotions cost me P180 = $5 total. With the $135 difference I can put that P5,000 to a great overnighter. Plus I have a local PH number which freelancers, drivers, hotels can contact me.

[Sammon]

Grab you cannot fully register outside the country, you will need your local Ph mobile when you arrive.

For language download Nemo Tagalog. Pay the small fee to unlock the features. Proactive while you are driving around.

If you have a international plan like I have from T Mobile and have grab app you can use it without problem. Long time ago I always had to get a unlocked phone and buy SIM cards from countries I visit. Load up minutes etc which was annoying. Now I get dial tone in any country and unlimited data. My phone works just like home in USA. Only thing is calls cost per minute. But I do not mind. My phone bill can be deducted from taxes anyway. With grab you need not deal with taxi mafia in Philippines.
As for ATM use Bank ATM at the Mall in Angeles just outside the bank. It is safe. When in Manila use China bank ATM. They can be found in the malls as well.

[Goferring]

I'd be careful though about which ATM you chose. Last time I was there my buddy's account got hacked after using an ATM in Angeles.

I only use real bank ATMs, not those pop up 3rd party units you find in clubs etc. I haven't had an issue yet.

Cheers. G.

[WalkAboutBoyz]

I won't get a AirBnB unless it has at least a clothes washer. For Hotels, I outsource to the many laundry's in any tourist area. It's cheap even if you are unlikely to make the minimum weight charge. Note that YMMV as I walk a lot, go through several changes of clothes per day and travel very light.

All of the above. Just deal with whatever you are faced with. Weather is never guaranteed.

What's open is also changing daily. Again, deal with whatever you find.

My apps from most used: WhatsApp, Grab, FilCupid / PinaLove / Tinder, Google Maps and Translate. Airlines and Agoda as required.

I always get by with English only but there is always Google Translate of needed.

Waaaay too difficult for me. Just go to an ATM, take out 10 or 20 k, rinse and repeat when funds are low. Lots of arguements here about cash Vs card. Pick what works for you. Every 1000 p is $20 so scale accordingly..

I'd be careful though about which ATM you chose. Last time I was there my buddy's account got hacked after using an ATM in Angeles.