Thinking about buying an unlocked international smartphone through Amazon and then get the sim card when I arrive. Who is a decent mobile phone provider?
Depends on where you will be living and what you want to use it for. Anywhere a normal person would live will have cell coverage. If you plan on using it for internet access (should only be for backup) then that will depend on where you will be living. Smart and Globe are the two main providers, they operate under the names TNT and TM as well (so don't go thinking there are actually 4 providers). SIM cards are around $1 and you can buy minutes as you go. You can get both SIM cards and minutes pretty much anywhere. You can get everything you need just outside of the airport terminal after you arrive as well. Not something to really concern yourself with until you have boots on the ground. Don't get used to the mobile internet speed while you are in Manila, minus a few areas, you will not find any LTE coverage in Dumaguete. Make sure you buy a phone capable of picking up the 900/1800 GSM freqs.
