How much does a SMART SIM cost? Expensive?

Should I buy SIM at the airport?

What kind of documents do I need?

This article will provide detailed information on the local SIM situation and how to set it up!

Two SIM brands: SMART and GLOBE.

There are two well-known brands of SIM cards in the Philippines. These are “SMART,” which we will introduce here, and its rival company “GLOBE.

Each area has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, 👨”SMART is easily connected in this area” etc…

If you are getting a SIM after you arrive in the area, you should ask the school staff, “Which one is easier to connect to?” and then decide which SIM seems to be stronger in your area.

If neither changes, I suggest SMART, which has an unlimited plan.

Preparation for SMART Registration

I will now explain how to register your SMART SIM. To use mobile data, you need to do two things.

1. Registration of personal information
2. Select and purchase a data plan

And to complete 1 and 2, the following preparations are required.

What to Buy

• SIM card
• Load card
  ┗ I recommend 400 pesos worth.

Documents

• Passport, image of the page with your photo
• Images of school enrollment certificates
• Image of e-ticket for outgoing flight┗

information

• Passport Number
• Address of your study abroad destination

These must be prepared in advance. The reason why is because this is what happens.

はふた

(In process…)
I need an image of your flight ticket, I see. Then I’ll start up the camera and take an image of the e-ticket…

はふた

Upload on the original screen….
It has automatically returned to the first screen!
I have to start all over again from entering the one-time password!

Yes, even the slightest interruption in SIM registration will result in a high probability of being returned to the top screen.

The information you had entered is not retained, and you have to start over from the beginning. You must start from the point where you receive the one-time password.

It is tedious to enter the same fields over and over again, so be sure to prepare well in advance.

SMART sim registration procedure

From here, will show you how to register SMART sim based on actual screens and operations.

The procedure is as follows.

Also, these operations require data communication and SMS, so be sure to do them in an environment where you have a Wifi connection and can receive SMS.

Step 1: Insert the SIM card

Here is the package with the SMART sim card in it.

It comes in a paper like gift card. The price at my school was 85 pesos.

When you open the inside, you will find a sim card enclosed in a white plastic mold. It seems to be compatible with both nano SIM and micro SIM in terms of size.

Remove it from the mold and insert it into the SIM card slot of the phone. The SIM pin for opening the slot is not included, so ask the store where you purchased it to lend you one.

Also, the number on the top of the plastic mold is a phone number. Keep it, don’t throw it away, as you will need it right after this.

Step 2: Enter the One Time Password

Once the SIM card is recognized by your phone, you will automatically receive an SMS. When I registered, I received it within 5 minutes.

Here is the message I received at that time.

Tapping the URL in the message will take you to the SIM registration screen. The following screen is the top screen.

Scroll further and you will be required to enter a one-time password.

Enter the phone number into the upper block. The number is the one on the plastic plate where the SIM card was located.

Enter the number and tap the “SEND OTP” button.

In doing so, place a ✓ in the “I have read…” field listed below. This is a statement of agreement to the Terms of Use.

You will soon receive a 6-digit OTP (One Time Password) in your SMS message.

この番号を下側のブロックに入力し、「VERIFY OTP」をタップ。そうすると個人情報を登録する画面に遷移します。

Step 3: Enter personal information

Then move on to entering personal information.

Here, you will need your passport image.

The first item is “Type of Registration”, which describes the purpose of SIM registration.

Select “I’m registering a newly brought SIM” as most of you will be registering for a new SIM.

Next is “nationality”

If you choose a non-Filipino nationality, you will only need your passport as proof with the following “ID Card”.

When you select “Passport”, you will be asked for your “Visa Type”. Please select “Tourist Visa” at this time. This is because foreign students generally obtain a tourist visa.

From here, you can upload your image. Click the “Upload” button to register the image of the passport photo page that you have prepared in advance.

It says that images are limited to 5 MB, but try to keep the size as small as possible.

When the upload is complete, the image name will appear in blue text.

The next step is “Selfie Verification”, i.e., authentication with a selfie.

Tap “Take Photo” to launch the camera application and bring your face close enough to fit in the frame.

When the device is authenticated at just the right distance, the message “blink” will be displayed. Blink once to complete the authentication.

Then enter your personal information.

Fill in all of the above information, and tap the “NEXT” button when you are finished.

Step 4: Enter information on your stay

The next step is to enter your accommodation information.

I enter an address, but it is categorized in detail and it is difficult to know what to write.

It is important to note the required fields marked with *.

The “Province”, “City/Municipality” and “Zip Code” are the same for all schools in Baguio.

”Barangay” depends on the area of each school, so if you are not sure, the fastest way is to ask the school staff.

The remaining addresses are listed on the school’s website or certificate of enrollment, and should be entered by referring to them.

If you know the room you live in, you can enter information such as Floors.

e.g.1) PINES Main Campus

e.g.2) JIC Challenger Campus

After entering the address where you will be staying, scroll down further and you will be asked to submit two documents.

1. Documents of address in the Philippines
   ┗ certificate of enrollment
2. Return ticket on own country
   ┗ Return ticket or discarded ticket

If these two uploads are also successful, the name of the image will appear in blue text.

In my case, I took a photo of the PDF on my computer screen with my phone and submitted it. I was still able to register successfully.

The last section is “ALTERNATE CONTACT INFORMATION,” i.e., emergency contact information.

However, it is optional, free description, so it is not required. It might be a good idea to include at least an e-mail address.

Step 5: Final confirmation

The third page is for final confirmation only. Check that the information you have entered is correct, and if so, place a ✓ in the box below the information you have entered and click “SUBMIT”.

The questions under “SUBMIT” can be ignored, as they are about whether or not information such as promotions is required.

After SUBMIT, you will be taken to the screen where your application is complete.

If all the information and documents submitted are complete, you will receive an SMS within 24 hours stating that your registration has been completed.

You will also receive a message confirming that your application is complete.

Step 6: Wait for registration to be completed (within 24 hours).

After a while you will receive a message letting you know if you have successfully registered.

If you receive a message beginning with “Congratulations!…”, it means that your registration has been successfully completed.

Try to connect without Wifi here. If you have successfully registered, you should already be connected.

This is because it comes with a free 5GB promotion for the first 3 days. Conversely, after 3 days, data is no longer available.

To continue using the service, you will need to select and purchase a plan.

Step 7: Select and purchase a plan

Once you have registered your SIM, the next step is to select and purchase a plan. When purchasing a plan, you will need what is called a load card.

In my neighborhood, a load card for 100 pesos could be purchased for 110 pesos and a load card for 300 pesos for 315 pesos.

The reason I prepared a card for 400 pesos this time is to purchase a plan with unlimited duration.

Charge the amount for the load card to your SMART account and purchase the plan.

The procedure is as follows.

1. Scratch off the scratch area on the reverse side.
2. Call out “1150” + code on phone app.
3. Call *123# to purchase a plan

Scratch off the scratch area on the reverse side.

On the back is a scratchable area that can be scraped with a coin and contains a 14-digit code required for recharging.

Call out “1150” + code on phone app.

Start the phone application, enter 1150, followed by the 14-digit number in the scratch section, and make a call.

The amount of the face value of the card will then be charged. If you have more than one load card, the same procedure is used to charge the card.

Call *123# to purchase a plan

Type *123# in the phone app and you will be prompted to choose a plan.

Basically, you buy up all your data, buy only 5 GB of it, and when you use it up, you are done.

Also, check the expiration date. Some have shorter periods, such as 7 or 14 days. International students who are staying for longer are likely to stay for one or three months, so choose a plan that can be used for as long as you want.

Recommendation 5)MAGIC. You can use unlimited data until you reach your data allowance.

After selecting 5) MAGIC, several plan options will appear.

If you will not be making any local phone calls, choose 1) DATE.

Next is the choice of data capacity. We recommend 3) 24 GB.

With 24GB, you should be able to stay for several months and not run out by using it with wifi.

The 24GB plan costs 399 pesos, which is why we prepared a 400 peso load card.

If you were able to charge the 400 pesos mentioned earlier, you can subscribe to the plan immediately by selecting 1) Subscribe, and data will be available.

You can skip this screen.

If you have successfully purchased a plan, you will also receive a message on your SMS.

This completes the registration procedure for the SMART SIM card! Thank you for your time.

The most common ones are stomach aches and diarrhea. If symptoms arise, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly.

However, there are also cases like this…

I once attempted to pet a stray cat and it scratched me!

In fact, this is a very dangerous situation.

This article is going to present an actual case of rabies vaccination that happened to a Japanese student, as well as inform you about the response procedure and cost sensitivity.

About Rabies

Let’s start by taking a moment to understand what RABIES is.

Rabies is a disease that’s spread through contact with infected animals. It’s a serious illness, and unfortunately, it’s said to be 100% fatal.

It’s always best to be careful, especially when traveling abroad, and avoid approaching dogs or cats, as they might be carrying the disease.。

It’s really rare that your neighbor dog or cat is carrying rabies, and the likelihood of infection or disease is not high.

But, it’s important to remember that the 100% fatality rate is a serious concern. Even if your pet doesn’t show any symptoms, it’s essential to be careful and watch for any signs of rabies.

All of our household dogs in Japan are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Because of this, we are so grateful that we don’t hear about any cases of rabies in our community.

The same is true in the Philippines, where vaccination is mandatory. It’s not as common as in Japan, but it’s still important.

How you feel about this number depends on you. But it’s important to remember that there’s always a little bit of risk involved.

Vaccination Cases

I’ve been studying at a language school in Baguio for over a year now, and in that time I’ve had the opportunity to administer two rabies vaccinations.

Both students came to me first to ask me to decide whether they should go to the hospital or not.

Given my position, I could only offer them the suggestion of going to the hospital. I wish I could take responsibility for their well-being, but I can’t. I wish I could say, “It’s going to be all right,” but I can’t.

I personally thought that Student B’s case didn’t require any vaccinations because they didn’t have any visible wounds.

The doctor said it was necessary. The hospital doesn’t want to take responsibility either.

So, when you’re thinking about whether you need to be vaccinated against rabies, you’re in a really important situation.

The only people who can decide whether to get the vaccine or not are those who are confident that they will never get it and can take responsibility for it themselves.

Rabies Vaccination Process

If you’re concerned that your pet might have caught rabies, there are some steps you can take.

First, it’s important to remember that there’s a time limit for the first vaccination. The time limit is 24 hours from the moment of injury.

There is some important infomation about the rabies vaccination clinic at the University Hospital of St. Louis in Baguio.

As I mentioned earlier, getting the vaccination against rabies is not done in one visit. It’s a process that takes several visits over a period of time. You’ll need to come back for three to five visits.

On the first day, you’ll come back for three days, then one week, then two weeks, then four weeks, and finally, up to one month.

The specific details of these visits, like the number of doses or the duration of each visit, depend on a few things: the symptoms you’re showing and the type of vaccine.

※5 times vaccination(Student A)

---

※3 times vaccination(Student B)

Student A used Notre Dame Hospital and received 5 vaccinations. Student B used St. Louis Hospital and received 3 doses.

All vaccinations must basically be completed in the Philippines. This is because there is not enough vaccine in stock in Japan. If you are unable to complete the vaccinations by your original scheduled return date, you will need to change your flight.

How to see a doctor

If you are on vacation or do not have overseas insurance, you will need to go to a local hospital without an appointment.

The ER (Emergency Room) is basically the emergency room.

It is like an all-night emergency room in Japan that is always available to treat patients who are brought in on an emergency basis. The waiting time is usually extremely long, usually 3 to 5 hours, and it seems to make you feel even worse.

The first vaccination process

The first vaccination is administered according to the following procedure.

Four or five doses of vaccine are given at one time. The most common places to get the vaccine are near the four sites on both shoulders and both legs.

It will probably be a muscle shot, so the pain will be appropriate. However, you are about to die. You will have to grit your teeth and endure it.

Progress observation and precautions

After the first vaccination, you will be given a note or vaccination card with a schedule for your next visit that lists 3-5 vaccinations, so be sure to keep the dates and return to the clinic.

The vaccination card also lists the following symptoms of suspected rabies

If any of the above symptoms appear, head to the hospital immediately. It also describes lifestyle habits to be aware of during the next vaccine waiting period.

Eggs and chicken are not allowed, but pork and beef are OK, which seems a little strange. Other so-called unhealthy diets, such as processed foods and junk food, should also be avoided, they say.

Rabies Vaccination Fee

The fee for the first rabies vaccination is now as follows
(as of January 2025 at St. Louis Hospital)

Since the fee for the first visit was not collected, the amount would have been tripled if three vaccinations were required; the total cost for the three vaccinations would be approximately 9,360 pesos.

In this case, she was able to pay the fee once by credit card and then bill the insurance company upon his return to Japan.

If you get vaccinated in advance in Japan, it is said to cost about 50,000 yen for several vaccinations. In terms of buying peace of mind, it may be a good idea to get vaccinated in advance in Japan, but it is still expensive….

Compared to the price in Japan, the price in the Philippines seems reasonable.

Epilogue

In this issue, I gave a real case study of a rabies emergency in a hospital in the Philippines.

As I described in detail, the first and most important thing is not to be in a situation where you need to go to the hospital.

In an English-language school with several hundred students each year, only two were vaccinated. This may seem small, but it is by no means zero. Maybe there are cases where the person is not aware of the seriousness of the situation and neglects it.

Anyway, my point is one.

はふた

Stay away from dogs and cats in the Philippines!

You should not love animals until you return to Japan. It is too much of a waste of time, money, and pain to spend your study abroad period.

First of all, don’t approach them. Even if they approach you, keep your distance. Keep these things in mind and you will have a pleasant study abroad experience.

はふた

It’s so cheap, but it has whitening effects?

In this article, we will introduce you to the popular toothpaste brand “Colgate“!

This article contains advertisements.

What is Colgate?

Colgate is a brand of oral care products developed by a manufacturer based in the United States.

The company has expanded its sales channels globally, and there’s a good chance you’ll see Colgate in a wide range of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

Well, it’s not something you see around much in Japan. They tried selling there back in the 90s, but the competition was too steep, so they had to pull out.

At the moment, the only way to buy them in Japan is online, and the only way to get imported foreign products is through Amazon and similar sites. You can also get them on Amazon, but they’re pretty pricey.

Reputation of Colgate

Colgate isn’t a household name in Japan, but it’s definitely the top brand in the Philippines.

That’s why they’re displayed in supermarkets as the main product. There are quite a few variations, not only in types but also in different capacities. The product you casually pick up is probably Colgate toothpaste.

Now, let me go back to the topic I mentioned at the start of this article.

Well, it’s because you can get toothpaste with a whitening effect at a low price, which you can’t get in Japan.

Colgate is good for suvenia?

One day, the following X (formerly Twitter) post came across my feed.

Colgateのホワイトニング歯磨き粉（左）。強力すぎてびっくり！！一回でクリーニングしたのかと思うくらいつるっつる。普段使ってる週1使用のプレミアム歯磨き粉（右）より、さらにつるんつるん。lazada公式ストアで235ペソhttps://t.co/uJG6AJWg8Q pic.twitter.com/KeEZFKJMVb

— yalesna (@yalesna_cebu) April 29, 2024

The toothpaste in the photo looks pretty luxurious, right? You can see that the packaging and the bottle caps are shiny and specially designed.

しょっちゅうセブに行く留学エージェント20人が集まった時にやたら買い溜めしていたフィリピンのお土産
①石鹸Palmolive papaya 20p位
②歯磨き粉Colgate optic white2 250p位
③トリートメントvita keratin salon daily treatment 400p位
詳細はツリーへ pic.twitter.com/cejURIeNm8

— 安達由恵/フィリピン親子留学のPANATAG (@yoqqyn) November 25, 2024

This isn’t the only post I just made, but it’s been mentioned a bunch of times like this.
Study abroad agents who know the Philippines really well also choose them as souvenirs. If people who know their way around the country like to buy them, you can be sure of their quality.

フィリピン購入品④
・歯磨き粉
私歯磨き粉は1年に1回初売りで買いだめする人なんだけど、来年度分の歯磨き粉をフィリピンで手に入れました
Colgateめちゃ安かった
・石鹸　
グリーンパパイヤ石鹸いい匂い
舞妓さんみたいなの書いてあるやつは美白効果あるみたい。友達にも買った pic.twitter.com/D57XFezHCr

— Hinasë (@Hinase1997) December 15, 2024

This post is also sent out as a souvenir. Upon closer inspection, the design is slightly different from the one shown earlier. It seems that there are several different types of whitening toothpaste.

The reason that Colgate is chosen as souvenirs

There are two reasons why Filipino experts take local toothpaste as souvenirs.

The price is cheaper than in Japan.

If you look up “toothpaste with whitening effect” sold in Japan, even the cheapest one costs about 1,200 yen for 100 grams.

Colgate’s premium brand is 235 pesos for 85 grams. If you combine the units to make it easier to compare, 100 grams costs about 750 yen. This means that in the Philippines, it costs about 60% of the price in Japan.

The ingredients are special.

The price is attractive, but it’s what’s inside that really catches your eye. Basically, the ingredients that have whitening effects are special.

First, it’s said that the following two actions are the principle of teeth whitening.

But there are some drawbacks to this.If you overdo it with the whitening, you might end up with sensitive teeth and mouth ulcers.

To avoid these kinds of risks, there are limits on the amount of whitening ingredients allowed in Japan. As we mentioned before, Colgate has decided not to expand its business in Japan. This might be because of legal restrictions.

Product Reviews

Here is my review of the actual use of the product.

はふた

When you hear about the powerful whitening effect, which isn’t available in Japan, you probably want to try it, right?

I’ll introduce three toothpastes with whitening effects and one regular toothpaste.

There are three main Colgate whitening toothpastes available in the Philippines.

I’ll be frank about my own experience with the product and my impressions.

OPTIC WHITE PURPLE

The first one is the least expensive toothpaste with whitening properties. It’s got a pretty purple color. The toothpaste is purple in the packaging and in the tube. Most of these colored products lose their color and become white by the end of brushing, but this one stays purple the whole time.

派手な紫カラーが特徴的です。

As for the texture, it’s not too far off from regular toothpaste, but it’s a bit more coarse. It also foams up nicely. The taste is minty, almost like it doesn’t have any suds. Other than the color, it’s pretty standard.

After using one bottle, I can honestly say that it was quite normal. Compared to Japanese toothpaste, you would be hard pressed to find any difference. Also, the safety aspect seems to be fine. I did not have any sinking or sore teeth after a while.

https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.KBkQN?cc

Lazada

It’s the least expensive of the whitening claims, so it’s a good entry level.

OPTIC WHITE NATURAL ENZYME

The white product is next, and it seems to be the least common type. The price is about the same as the purple version we talked about earlier, but the capacity is slightly smaller.
There are a lot of different versions of the white package, from single-bottle sold types to large-capacity and portable versions.

Now, let’s talk about the review.
I was surprised by the taste. It was so sweet!

It’s got a flaky sweetness, like yogurt on a toothbrush. The texture is a clear gel, a little softer than a regular paste. There’s a subtle lack of lather, and it feels like you’re brushing with a paste.

I’m just guessing here, but I think the sweetness was detected and saliva was produced, which mixed with the sweetness and didn’t foam much. To me, it was like using a sweet-flavored toothpaste for kids, and it didn’t work. I like to feel refreshed after brushing my teeth.

https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.KBkCX?cc

Lazada

OPTIC WHITE 2 ACTIVE OXYGEN

Next up is the real deal, the most expensive product that’s getting a lot of attention around here.

The packaging feels luxurious, and the squeeze port is a different kind of construction — it’s removable. It’s clear that this product is different from other brands.
When I first used it, I was so shocked that I had to start the review right there. The moment you put it in your mouth, you feel “heat.” The toothpaste itself is warm.

The concept of toothpaste being “cool” or “refreshing” is instantly blown away. This warmth is the one and only, absolute characteristic of the product, apparently influenced by hydrogen peroxide, which has a whitening effect.

I’m not really familiar with the nitty-gritty of the theory, but I think it’s probably due to its chemical makeup. Either way, the heat makes the user feel like it’s working.
The temperature is what sets it apart, but the rest of the characteristics are pretty standard. The texture is exactly what you’d expect, and the lather is your typical type.

As for the taste, it’s got a light minty flavor. After you brush, you’ll feel refreshed.
I’m a bit worried about the effect on the mouth. I’ve bought a total of five bottles and have been using them twice a day, morning and night. So far, I haven’t had any noticeable health problems.

https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.KBPhr?cc

Lazada

You won’t feel any sinking or soreness in your teeth, so you don’t have to worry about any disadvantages for a short while after using them.

Total CHARCOAL DEEP CLEAN

Here’s another type to compare: the product includes charcoal.

This one doesn’t say it’s for whitening, but it does say it’ll protect against bacteria for 12 hours. This toothpaste with charcoal is supposed to whiten teeth thanks to the charcoal.

The stuff is kinda gray because it’s got charcoal in it. The texture is pretty standard, the lather is good, and the taste is a subtle minty flavor. Overall, it doesn’t really stand out.
This might be a bit beyond what we’re discussing in this article, but for anyone who doesn’t need whitening, this is the product I’d most recommend.

When I first started studying abroad, I came across a lot of toothpaste that was pretty random. Eventually, I found this one, and I started using it every day because I thought it was good. If you’re not sure about toothpaste in the Philippines, I suggest buying this one to start.

https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.KBPM5?cc

Lazada

Are they effective for whitening?

I’m not really sure about the whitening effect, which is the most important thing. I feel like it’s working, but I’m not positive.

I was really surprised by the OPTIC WHITE 2 ACTIVE OXYGEN, especially since it’s the most expensive. I don’t think it’s changed that much, though. I still use it regularly, but I also drink coffee every day, eat a lot of colorful food, and don’t really try to use it enough.

On top of that, they’re currently sporting braces, which might be why they’re having a hard time brushing thoroughly. As of now, I haven’t noticed any sensitivity or mouth ulcers, which are supposed to be common complaints.

I’ll keep using it and taking it for a spin, keeping my fingers crossed that it works.

Conclusion

In this issue, we talked about a toothpaste that’s really popular in the Philippines and can whiten your teeth. It’s pretty hard to find in Japan, which is why people often bring it back home as a souvenir.

I’d also like to take a moment to thank the X followers who helped me learn about these products. I’d say, “Give them a try!” and think they make a great gift. They might not have a Filipino feel, but if you explain how special they are, they’ll be happy.

Hey, if you’re ever in the Philippines, you should totally give it a shot! It’s just a bit more than what you’d pay for toothpaste in Japan, but trust me, it’s worth every cent.

Getting Braces in Baguio, Philippines [Introduction]

This is the second part of our series on Baguio hospitals, and today we're talking about dental clinics.You know, t

haveto blog

You’ll have a blast exploring the country from all sorts of angles.
See you soon!

I paid a pretty reasonable amount, and it has definitely been inconvenient for my daily life. But honestly, it’s been a lot of hard work, and I’m seeing improvement little by little.

I’m sharing this to give you a heads-up about the challenges you might face during the first six months of your braces journey.

Getting Braces in Baguio, Philippines [Introduction]

This is the second part of our series on Baguio hospitals, and today we're talking about dental clinics.You know, t

haveto blog

Cost, treatment, frequency of visits

I’ll give a quick review of my braces experience.

I’ve got wire braces, which is the most common method. They attach metal wires to the surface of the teeth.

Here in the Philippines, wire braces are pretty much the only option.

At first, the dentist said I should go for two years, but since I didn’t know how long I’d be in Baguio, I decided to go for one year.

The fee was 50,000 pesos plus more for each visit.

Here are the x-rays taken before the orthodontic treatment. The issues are “alignment of teeth” and “buried canine teeth”.

I go to the clinic once every three weeks for adjustments (tightening and adjusting the wires)

If I need to do any other treatment, I’ll consult and pay for it on each visit.

Record: 0-1 month

Regular diet is the biggest challenge.

The first month was tough…. The first thing I struggled with was not being able to use my front teeth.

My teeth are held in place by wires, and my front teeth in particular hurt just by touching food.

So, I cut the food into bite-sized pieces and then carefully put them in my mouth and chewed them. I had no choice but to eat that way.

This was further exacerbated by the Filipino food.

Here in the Philippines, many dishes are made with chicken.

Because of its elasticity, it is very difficult to finely chop and chew. …. It took me almost twice as long to eat as it did before my braces.

As if to add to the problem, I also began to feel a sense of discomfort in my mouth.

It was like something was always stuck in the gap between my teeth. It is just a wire, but the discomfort does not go away….

It was very stressful and frustrating not to be able to identify the cause.

Bracket came off…

After about five days of having a hard time eating, something hard suddenly appeared in my mouth.

It was the bracket that holds the wire in place. Normally, they are attached to the surface of the teeth with adhesive and cannot be removed.

Naturally, the doctor had told me that they rarely came off, but after only a few days, they fell off….

When they fall off, the wire floats in the air, which is annoying and can stick in the gums.

This happened so often that I found myself going to the clinic every week instead of the original schedule of once every three weeks.

Record: 1-2 month

Brackets kept coming off

The brackets continued to come off after one month.

They kept coming off in the same place every time, and the one in the back right part of my mouth didn’t last very long.

It seems that my original habit of biting was the cause.

It looks like years of chewing with my braces in the wrong position created a strange habit that was putting pressure on the bracket, which shouldn’t touch during chewing.

Looking back on my life up to now, it has been as long as 20 years since my teeth changed from baby teeth to permanent teeth.

I have never been conscious of the correct way to chew, and now that I am here, I am reminded of the strange habits I had.

And every time a bracket comes off, I have to pay a follow-up fee.

It costs 500 pesos to reattach it, and 800 pesos to lose the unit.

There was no additional charge for the weekly visits, but the cost of the additional bracket eventually added up to about 2,000 pesos.

Getting used to the discomfort in my mouth.

Regarding the discomfort in the mouth that I suffered in the first month, I finally got used to it here in the second month.

It’s a simple method, but it works.

One day, after using a toothpick and a stand mirror, the discomfort was gone.

I still use a toothpick and a stand mirror after meals, and I really don’t think I could do without it.I didn’t used to use toothpicks after meals, and I didn’t think of this idea easily.

Toothpicks are also available in Baguio.I found one with Japanese packaging at a store like DAISO in Japan.

It was 22 pesos for 400 toothpicks, which is reasonable.

First wire adjustment

First wire adjustmentIt’s been a month since I last adjusted the wire. It’s pretty straightforward.

It’s just untie the wire holding the teeth down and then tighten it again.

This adjusts the teeth to their ideal position and orientation.

Then comes the pain and discomfort of getting used to the new position again. It was tough at first, but I got used to it within the first week this time.

Record: 2-3 month

Putting the ring over the teeth

The bracket was coming off all the time, but it got a bit more stable in the second month.

It was coming off about once every three weeks, but it did get more stable. Sometimes it would come off a few hours after.

I put it back in.After a while, the doctor said I should wear a ring on my teeth.

The idea was to put a metal ring around the tooth and tie a wire to it, as you can see in the photo.

At first, this seems like a very outlandish idea, but it used to be a common practice in the past.

We decided to try whatever we could do, so we immediately introduced it.

As it turned out, the situation was better, and I quickly got used to the discomfort.

I’ve had it in my mouth since I put it on, and I still have it now.

The stress of eating is reduced.

As I wrote, the daily eating part was really stressful.

When I couldn’t chew all the way through, I was swallowing more and more often, and the shape stayed the same.

This put a lot of pressure on my digestive organs, like my stomach, esophagus, and intestines.

After a while, my chewing ability came back.

By the second or third month, I was eating the same amount of food in one bite and chewing the same amount as before my braces.

However, it was a process. My front teeth took the longest to get used to it, and it hurt when I put too much pressure on them. I’m still struggling with foods that have sticks attached, like hamburgers and ice cream, and grilled chicken skewers.

Record: 2-3 month

Extraction of upper teeth

So far, we’ve only talked about the wire braces. Now, let’s talk about a new treatment, “tooth extraction“.

When your jaws are small, it’s hard to get your teeth in the right place. So, I had to pull out the teeth that are in the way.

In the photo, you can see the two teeth we’re going to pull.

I’ve got another reason for getting them taken out, though.

The tooth on the right (the canine) is buried in my gums because there’s not enough space, and I’ve got to pull that one.

To be honest, I’d rather not pull that tooth if I can help it. It’ll definitely hurt, and it’s in the Philippines.

But it was the only time I could do it, and I was prepared to do it.

If you’re not into the whole painful topic, skip to the 4th or 5th month.

[Caution] Tooth extraction

First, they gave me partial anesthesia, which involves putting a liquid anesthetic on your gums to numb them.

Then, when that’s taking effect, they inject a second anesthetic.

While it definitely hurts, it’s more of a dull ache than a sharp pain. Luckily, it wasn’t as intense as I thought it’d be.Once the anesthesia wore off, it was time to pull the tooth.

The doctor pulled out a pair of pliers.

He held the tooth tightly and started to pull it out by rocking it back and forth, like pulling out a nail.

After a minute or two of being squeezed, the tooth was out of my mouth in no time.

I didn’t feel any pain, but I did feel a strong sense of loss, as if everything that had been there was suddenly gone.

バギオでの歯科矯正生活1か月目🦷

ついに矯正に伴う抜歯の日。人生を振り返ってみても、今まで経験したことない気がする…。

麻酔ブスリ、歯ゴリゴリな感じと思うと、恐々としていましたが、思った以上に痛くなかった。

良いドクターに出会えたようで良かった…！(抜歯1本、1000ペソ) pic.twitter.com/CWZtWWpwGm

— 🇵🇭はふた | バギオ留学 | 30歳脱サラ(仮) (@haveto_nainani) August 8, 2024

The two extractions took about 45 minutes.

This time, the doctor was very skillful, and I was able to finish without any pain after the procedure except for the moment of anesthesia injection.

はふた

Even the teeth that were supposed to be used for the rest of my life, they fell out more easily than I thought, huh?

I was left with only a slightly naïve feeling in my heart.

Record: 2-3 month

Hospital visits to once every three weeks.

I was going in once a week, but after three months, the brackets stopped coming off, so I could go in once every three weeks, as planned.

The more visits I made, the more improvement I saw, and the more I couldn’t wait for the next procedure.

I was nervous about the pain in my back right tooth that seemed to be acting on a nerve.

It was a weird sensation, like a tingle and a swoosh, especially when I ate, brushed my teeth, or did anything that involved my teeth.

It felt like a cavity, but I wasn’t sure.

I was kind of worried about how long it would last, but by the fourth month, I didn’t feel it at all.

It was probably just temporary, happening when the tooth was trying to move.

Could it be a cavity? I almost thought it was a cavity, but I was relieved when the pain went away.

Expander introduced.

After getting a tooth pulled last month, a new tool was used this time. This time, an expander was used.

It’s a kind of mouthpiece. When we think of braces, we tend to think of something that pulls the teeth inward from the outside, such as correcting protruding teeth, but this one is designed to expand the teeth outward from the inside.

My lower teeth seem to be tilted inward, so I need to make them wider. To do that, I need to have it made for myself, which cost 1,500 pesos. He asked me to wear it every day for about following one months.

When I’m actually wearing the device, there’s no particular “pain or suffering.” But it’s still pretty uncomfortable. I also couldn’t put my tongue against my lower teeth, and my speech got all slurred. The doctor told me to wear it every day, as much as possible, but I had to take it off when I spend a lot of time talking at work.

Record: 5-6 month

Back to the nomal days

Since I started braces, I’ve been trying new things, and now that I’m at six months, I can live my life without any restrictions.The brackets don’t come off, and I don’t feel any nerve pain in my teeth.

Right now, I’m working on getting the right dentition through adjustments every three weeks. Happy to say that I’m slowly but surely getting the hang of eating with my front teeth. Now, can eat “hamburgers” and “ice cream sticks,” which were a no-go for me at first!

Was the braces effective?

I hope I’ve made it clear how tricky the correction was, but what matters is whether it worked. I’d like to show you how much better it is, but don’t have many clear pictures. I found a photo where you can see the obvious difference, so post it here.

歯列矯正の経過。[閲覧注意]

バギオで歯列矯正を始めて約3か月、目に見えて変化がありました。

上の歯は2本抜歯。
下の歯は外側に押し広げるマウスピース的なのを着けてます。

慣れましたが、不便ですね…。(本音)
慣れましたが、早く外したいですね…。(本音) pic.twitter.com/MyLRn6WKBR

— 🇵🇭はふた | バギオ留学 | 30歳脱サラ(仮) (@haveto_nainani) October 6, 2024

Before braces, the lower teeth were kind of uneven, but after less than six months, they were all nice and straight. And the canine teeth, which had been hiding under the gums, have also improved. They’ve come down to the same height as the other teeth.

The goal is to balance out the space created by the tooth extraction.Then, I’ll make sure the teeth are aligned properly.

Conclusion

In this issue, I’ve given you an update on my recent start with braces in Baguio, Philippines.
It’s been a busy time, with a new challenge every month.
Looking back, I was pretty anxious about whether I’d be able to make it through the first month or two. Now, six months later, there’s nothing to be afraid of, and I don’t feel stressed.

Getting Braces in Baguio, Philippines [Introduction]

This is the second part of our series on Baguio hospitals, and today we're talking about dental clinics.You know, t

haveto blog

However. I’ll still need to take care of myself every day. I’m really looking forward to the day when I can live my life without wearing anything. I think there will be fewer big changes and events in the future, but let you know if I experience any changes.

See you soon!

You know, treatments for cavities, fillings, and cleanings are pretty common, but this time I’m going to try braces.

I’ll be talking about the cost, how long it’ll take, and how it’ll go. This is the reality of the author’s experience with braces for the first time abroad!

Getting Braces in Baguio, Philippines [1-6 Months Progress Report]

フィリピン、バギオで歯列矯正を始めたのが2024年7月。あれから半年が経過しました。大変なことばかりですが、改善が見られつつあることが唯一の救いです。そんな私の歯列矯正の奮闘記について【6か月目】までを備忘録としてここに残します。

haveto blog

Dental clinics in the Philippines

There are a lot of dental clinics in the Philippines, especially in the more urban areas.

The map below is the result of a Google search for “dental clinic” in Baguio.

As you can see, there are a lot of clinics in the center of the city.

This is also true here in Baguio.

It is not uncommon to see three clinics side by side in one building or mall.

Dental Treatment

Dental treatment is becoming more common in the Philippines. Those costs are much lower than in Japan.

For cavities and fillings, the cost is said to be 700~1,000 pesos per treatment.

However, there have been several cases where fillings were done and then immediately removed.

This is not to say that the skill is necessarily bad. It is better to consider the treatment in the Philippines as an emergency treatment.

It would be wise to wait until you return to your home country for full treatment.

Let’s talk about the main topic of this issue, we can also try braces.

However, the only option would be wire. This is a bit old-fashioned method of attaching metal and wires to the surface of the teeth.

I was offered this price.

Considering that the typical price in Japan is 600,000-1,000,000 yen, this is a bargain.

Braces in the Philippines

In Japan, braces have become so common that even junior high school students wear them.

In the Philippines, however, it is not as popular. Approximately 10% of young Filipino wear that.

In some Asian countries, wearing braces is a sign of being able to afford a good life, so it seems that some people get them to show off.

Let’s start with braces!

Now it’s time for the practical part!

To tell the truth, I’m extremely bad at dentists and haven’t even had a check-up in 10 years since I was a student.

はふた

Maybe I’ll get caught with a cavity or periodontal disease….

I was scared until right before the appointment.

Appointments

Appointments are made by telephone. The dental clinic I visited this time is a familiar place of my boss.

It is a private clinic with only one doctor, but she understands the situation of international students and had no problem communicating with me in English.

I called for an appointment around 11:00 a.m. on a holiday.

When I told her “I wanted braces”, she told me to come at 1:00 pm and the appointment was made for the same day.

Medical Questionnaire

When I arrived at the hospital, I first had a medical interview.

The most important thing is “how long can I stay? “Fortunately, I had a plan to stay in Japan for a year, so I answered “more than 1 year” and was given the OK.

ドクター

The truth is that I want to stay for 2 years.

But considering the fact that I am Japanese and studying abroad, she said he would make a plan for 12 to 20 months of treatment.

Fortunately, I had no cavities or gingivitis, and I was able to start wearing my braces the same day.

X-Ray imaging

After the medical interview, the next step was to take X-rays.

The clinic did not have an x-ray machine, so I asked another dentist to take x-rays.

This is the X-ray machine and room of a clinic in a shopping mall.

They gave me a log book to write my name and date of birth in and got me ready to go.

I was made to put on a very heavy metal apron, place my jaw on the x-ray machine, and bite the plastic part with my front teeth.

I followed the automated voice and closed my eyes, and in about 30 seconds the image was complete.

They printed the x-rays on a printer and that was it. The fee was 1,000 pesos.

X-rays may be more expensive in the Philippines compared to the general price in Japan.

The x-rays taken at that time are shown below.

The two problems revealed are as follows

• Misaligned teeth
• Canine teeth buried in the gum

Misaligned teeth

The overall alignment is inconsistent and skewed.

In addition, there is not enough space for the teeth to line up properly due to the small size of the jaw.

Canines buried in the gums

Another tooth that needs improvement is the right canine that is buried in the gum.

This one is also buried without coming out due to lack of space in the jaw.

Also of concern are the wisdom teeth, which are completely rotated sideways.

She also suggested that I have four wisdom teeth removed, but I decided not to have them this time because it would be cheaper to have them done in Japan where they are covered by insurance.

Teeth Cleaning

Before braces are applied, the teeth are cleaned.

A drill that traces the surface of the teeth and a tube that draws in saliva are used to remove plaque and tartar, as is often done in Japan.

The procedure is the same as in Japan, and although it is not painful, the discomfort of having the teeth scraped is obvious….

The cleaning itself took about 30 minutes.

Making a mold of teeth

After the cleaning, a mold was made of my teeth.

The doctor stirred a red pancake batter-like substance with a spatula, and when it was sufficiently mixed, he pressed it against my teeth.

At first it was about the consistency of okonomiyaki, but after about a minute it hardened and came off easily.

This is done separately on the upper and lower jaws. The one shown later is the one below.

Installing the brackets

First, metal pieces called brackets that hold the wires in place are attached with adhesive.

This must be done carefully. The patient is fitted with a kind of mouthpiece and the mouth is fixed in an open position.

It takes about 45 minutes to finish attaching the upper and lower teeth.

No breaks, non-stop. In other words, the mouth is held open.

However, it is not difficult to endure because there is no pain or suffering.

It’s just a fight against discomfort.

Attaching the wires

Once the brackets are in place, the wires are attached.

From this point on, the pressure I felt from the teeth became stronger. Tie this wire and bracket together with a rubber band to complete the process.

I was also able to choose the color of the rubber band. I recommend blue.

This is because blue is a color that is rarely found in food and makes it easier to clean the mouth, such as removing food particles.

This process takes approximately 30 minutes. Once all the teeth are tied, the wire is cut to the appropriate length and the process is complete.

Precautions

The entire braces process takes about 2 hours to complete.

I had good feeling that the process has finally begun.

There is no pain or bleeding. It just feels very uncomfortable.

At that time, the doctor told me that the pain would continue for the next day or a week and prescribed an ointment.

She also advised me to brush my teeth after every meal and to floss if possible.

It seems that I need to pay more attention to my teeth than ever before in my life.

Amount and Cost of Braces

As mentioned above, the cost of the braces themselves will be 50,000 pesos.

As for future visits, the progress will be monitored and the wires will be adjusted once a month.

He also told me that the initial payment would be 20,000 pesos, after which I would pay 1,500 pesos every month in monthly installments.

I think this means that the process can be completed in about 20 months.

In addition to the above amount of 50,000 pesos, 500 pesos for toothbrush and ointment, 1,000 pesos for the same day cleaning and 1,000 pesos for the x-ray.

The total is 52,500 pesos.

She also explained that the brackets are attached with adhesives and that there is an additional charge every time they come off or get lost.

If it comes off, I have to pay 500 pesos, and if I lose it, I have to pay 800 pesos.

I asked some Filipino staff if that was a fair price and they said it was about the same.

There might be some places that charge a little less. But I myself am satisfied with this price so far.

Life immediately after braces

My orthodontic life is now off to a successful start.

Here is a record of how my daily life has changed since then, while my memory is still fresh.

Day 1 (the day of treatment)

There was no pain, just a feeling of discomfort in my mouth.

On my way home from the hospital, I bought a hamburger, but I couldn’t eat it. When I bite into it, feels pain in his teeth.

Finally, unable to chew with his front teeth, I break it into pieces just big enough to chew with back teeth and takes one bite at a time.

I realized that can’t eat bread.

I had also bought dragon fruit and mango, but the dragon fruit was also a bit hard.

I also realized that it was not suitable during the orthodontic treatment because of the many seeds.

Ripe mangoes were the easiest to eat because I could break them into small pieces without chewing, using only my tongue and upper jaw.

Day 2

Breakfast was a school lunch. The choices were salad, fried meat, pancit, and watermelon.

I cut the food into small pieces and ate it in a size that fit my back teeth, which took twice as long as usual because I was not used to it.

I managed to finish the meal, but was puzzled as to whether the discomfort in my mouth was caused by the wire or the food particles.

The conclusion was that it was both, but it was quite stressful because I couldn’t distinguish between the two.

I also practiced brushing my teeth by watching videos on Youtube.

There are a lot of videos on how to brush your teeth alone that are very informative. In the end, it took me about 1.5 times longer than usual to brush my teeth.

The 3rd day

Three meals were served in the school.

In the Philippines, where meat dishes are the norm, there are many chewy dishes on the menu.

I had a hard time eating, but I couldn’t let my jaw get lazy, so I did my best to eat.

Still, it is difficult to chew completely, so I swallow with less chewing than I ever thought possible in my previous meals.

It’s hard, but it’s still good enough to eat, and I want to eat as much as I can because the school lunches are delicious.

No matter how hard I try to cut his meals into small pieces, I have to rinse his mouth five times to get rid of the pieces.

I always brush teeth after every meal.

I even bought some Listerine and think about my teeth more than ever.

It’s hard work, but strangely, I don’t feel bad about it. I’m fixing something that used to give me an inferiority complex, and I’m doing it for a reasonable price. I can afford to keep doing it, so I will keep doing my best.

Conclusion

This time I shared my experience of getting braces from the dental clinic in Baguio.

Although I have some inconvenience in my daily life, it is quite bearable.

Getting Braces in Baguio, Philippines [1-6 Months Progress Report]

フィリピン、バギオで歯列矯正を始めたのが2024年7月。あれから半年が経過しました。大変なことばかりですが、改善が見られつつあることが唯一の救いです。そんな私の歯列矯正の奮闘記について【6か月目】までを備忘録としてここに残します。

haveto blog

I hear it takes a month or two to get used to it, so I look forward to that time.

Location of Gen’96 Co-Working Space

Gen’96 Co-Working Space is located north of downtown Baguio City, about a 10-minute walk from the Public Market, the city’s kitchen.

This area is home to many local universities, so there is a high concentration of restaurants, cafes, and stores selling imported foods. I personally find this area quite interesting because you can discover many things just by walking around. I wish my school was closer to here, but it is a bit far from where I am staying.

If you can get to the square at the bottom of Session Road, there is a jeepney station that goes in that direction, and you can get on a jeepney going to “AURORA HILL” in less than 5 minutes. Get off at about the same place as the jeepney station.

The area where you get off is a little more local. Walking down the street, you will see an office building called “PCMCO Building” with a milk tea shop on the first floor.

Inside the facility and fees

This coworking space is built using one room in an office building, and the space is only about the size of a small convenience store. When we visited (as of January 2024), it was open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, a fairly long span of time.

There are four simple box seats separated by partitions and about 10 other open seats. The chairs are reasonably comfortable. Each seat is equipped with a charging port, so you can bring your own electronic devices to work.

And, of course, wi-fi is available; I worked with music on You Tube and uploaded my blog with no problem at all.

And to our delight, coffee and hot tea are free of charge. The coffee was not drip coffee, but rather coffee in a tank, and the taste was not that great, but considering the price, I think it is a sufficient service.

As for the price, during the soft opening period from January 8 to 13, 2024, it was only 30 pesos (about 78 yen) per hour. There is no registration fee, etc. I stayed for 2 hours and the fee was of course only 60 pesos.

There was no clear fee structure posted after the soft opening period, but the staff told me that the basic fee would be 45 pesos. However, I was told that there is a discount from there, minus 5 pesos for students and 5 pesos for repeaters.

Impressions after actually using the service

I have used working space-like services in Japan from time to time, but the environment was very comfortable, just like in Japan. My personality is such that I cannot concentrate in a place like home, so I was able to concentrate on my work in a different environment.

There is no background music in the store, and you can hear the ambient sounds in their natural state. The street leading up to this location is quite a busy area, but the building itself is located down a little alley, so I don’t hear any car noise. If you use earphones with a noise canceling function, the sound is hardly noticeable.

I only used the restaurant for two hours on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and I was the only customer. I guess it is because the store has just opened and is not yet well known, which is why it was quite open.

There was only one male staff member, but he was very friendly and welcomed me, a foreigner who had come here on a whim. Also, after greeting me briefly and explaining about the facilities, he was very quiet, so I think he maintained a good distance.

Lastly, while other working spaces in Japan and other places in the Philippines may have a full food menu, this one does not. I’m sure that’s not true at all, but I feel like I have to ask for something, and it costs extra money. Perhaps the profit from food is also a pillar of the operation of such facilities, but I would feel more relaxed without it.

Summary

In this article, I introduced a new coworking space in Baguio. I was attracted by the very cheap price and went there, but I was quite satisfied with the current situation. After all, it was only 30 pesos.

Even after the soft opening period, the basic price is 45 pesos, which is a huge price difference compared to Japan. By the way, there are other facilities like this in Baguio, and they also seem to be very popular. But it costs 500 pesos if you use it normally….

I was wondering how long they can run the place since it is so inexpensive. I recommend that you check their Facebook page for updates and gather information before you visit.

One last point, what about studying or working in a cafe in the Philippines? From my observation, it is tolerated in most stores. So many students study at McDonald’s or other places just like in Japan. However, there were some Tik Tokers who complained there.

外国人ブロガーがスタバの混雑に苦言。ブロガーの男性はバギオ市のスタバが勉強する学生や仕事をする個人に占拠されて混雑しており抹茶ラテを買えなかったと不満を漏らした。視聴者からはフィリピンには図書館などの公共スペースが不足していて仕方ないとの意見が寄せられた。https://t.co/xwUGMfPeSP

— フィリピンのニュースあれこれ (@pharekore) November 13, 2023

As long as you are here as a language student, there should be a study space in most schools, so there may not be much demand for such a place, but it might be a good idea to go there for a change. Please make sure you have the necessary information before you go there.

Extra Info: Internet cafes (PC rooms) in the Philippines

There are several interesting stores on Lower Bonifacio St., a big street right next to the store we visited this time, and one of them is a kind of Internet cafe. One of them is a kind of Internet café. I did not use it this time, but a quick look inside showed that there were quite a few young people enjoying playing games.

I did not know about the performance of the computers, but I guess they are selling high spec machines with high speed internet access. If you are having trouble with slow wi-fi at your language school, you may be able to have a comfortable time here. Please let us know if you have any problems, and we will be happy to help!

About January and February in Baguio

January and February are said to be the coolest months of the year in Baguio. The lowest temperature is about 12 degrees Celsius, and the highest is about 20 degrees Celsius. During the day you can get by with just a T-shirt, but in the mornings and evenings it can get quite chilly without a jacket. This is the best season during my stay, when the environment is at its best.

Because of these conditions, infectious diseases such as dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, and food poisoning due to high temperatures were less likely to occur. However, as in Japan, the government recommends the wearing of masks when the weather turns cold, as the influenza epidemic is expected to spread.

No one could hide their surprise at the unforeseen situation that suddenly appeared during a relatively pleasant season with little rain. Below is the first Facebook post I saw that informed me of the situation.

The Mayor of Baguio City officially declared an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in Baguio City at a press conference.

The headline read, “1602 cases have been reported as of the time of the announcement, and the cause is attributed to water contamination. Restaurants are advised to refrain from serving tap or filtered water and to serve only purified water to customers, and households are advised to use purified or boiled tap water and to bring their own water when eating out.

Detailed Illness Report

Two days later, a more detailed damage report was released. At this point, 3,010 people had self-reported feeling ill.

The most common symptom was diarrhea, followed by abdominal pain and vomiting. The most common cause of illness was “eating at a restaurant,” followed by “take-out” and “cooking at home. In any case, oral intake seems to be the cause in many cases.

However, so far (as of January 13), no deaths have been reported, and there have been no major changes in people’s lives.

What are the causes and countermeasures?

According to the latest information, the initial declaration of a “gastroenteritis outbreak” has been withdrawn and replaced by the phrase “widespread diarrhea. The cause of the outbreak is still under investigation, but the main factor appears to be the occurrence of bacteria in tap water and other domestic water supplies above standard levels.

Fecal contamination of Baguio water sample detected; diarrhea cases reach 2,200

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/11/24/fecal-contamination-of-baguio-water-sample-detected-2200-diarrhea-cases-logged

At one of the survey sites, fecal contamination of the water source was observed, from which the bacteria outbreak was confirmed. However, the symptoms are not serious and can be resolved with medication.

Wash hands thoroughly with soap before eating and after doing business

Drink purified, boiled tap water or mineral water regularly

Changing the filters that filter the water.

In addition, the government has issued a guide to prevent “unfair price gouging of bottled water” in response to the series of incidents. There is no such price manipulation in the city, and citizens do not seem to be running out to buy water at the moment.

Personal Opinion of a Japanese Student

From here, however, this is my personal opinion as an international student who has been living in Baguio for almost 5 months. First of all, I feel that there is no need to take any special measures as described in the previous information.

The old saying goes, “Japan is a great country where you can drink tap water straight from the tap! It is not common to drink tap water in foreign countries, as the old saying goes, “Japan is great for drinking tap water! Each lodging facility has bottled water and mineral water pumping facilities. This is of course also true in the Philippines.

It is probably best to avoid using tap water for even minor water use such as brushing your teeth or gargling. I used to use tap water without concern, but this is an opportunity for me to change my mind. Similarly, purified water is better for washing fruits that are eaten with their skins, such as strawberries and grapes.

As for eating out, foods that have been cooked over a fire should be fine. Soups and stews are cooked thoroughly, but lugaw (porridge) is not cooked at high temperatures, so you should avoid it.

However, what you should avoid are desserts and drinks, which are difficult to cook over heat. As the government advises to bring purified water as much as possible when eating out, drinks with ice, etc. should be avoided. There are many delicious desserts such as halo-halo and milk tea, but it may be better to refrain from them for a while.

Summary

This time we reported on the urgent news about the water pollution in Baguio City. Living abroad means that we have to pay attention to these things. However, I want to make sure there is no misunderstanding, but this kind of thing rarely happens, and teachers said it was their first experience.

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You have to go to Baguio right now

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Incidentally, I have not received any information so far that anyone around my school, including teachers and students, have been affected. This is something that can be easily prevented if we are well prepared. Also, the response from the government agencies was quicker than I expected, and in a good way, it is a quick response that does not feel uniquely Filipino. However, there seems to be some fake news that is taking advantage of this confusion, so it is necessary to catch up with the information accurately.

To begin with, I think the risks of tap water overseas are well known to some extent, but this case has proven why we need to be careful. As a result, it does not seem to be important, but it is information that is not likely to be reported in Japan at all, so I have introduced it here.

Let us be aware of the differences between Japan and other countries so that we can live our days in good health!

Aren’t you interested in how game arcades are like in other countries? Even international students may want to go there at least once. Here are some game centers in Baguio that even international students might want to visit at least once. As an added bonus, I will also introduce a shortcut to SM Mall, which is surprisingly difficult to reach due to its steep slopes.

Shortcut to SM Mall that Google map doesn’t tell you

SM Mall is located at the top of a hill, and it is difficult to get there on foot, or it may take a long time to get there by cab due to traffic congestion. Although it looks close, it is surprisingly difficult to get there. However, if you are coming from the Burnham Park area, you can take a few shortcuts.

First, walk east of Burnham Park, along the road where the skating rink and other activities are located, with the archery activities on the side, to where it connects to Harrison Road.

Turn right along this road as you come to a busy stretch of traffic. Turn right and then continue straight along the road until you see Cordilleras University on the other side of the road.

You will soon see a multi-level pedestrian bridge, which you can use to cross to the other side of the road. After getting off the pedestrian bridge, go in the right hand direction. You will see many people heading to SM Mall around here, so you should be able to reach it even if you follow behind them.

It will take less than 5 minutes to reach the SM Mall’s multi-story parking lot. From here, visitors on foot can also enter the mall. Actually, this entrance is on the 5th basement floor of the mall floor, from where you can take the escalator and skip 5 floors to reach the mall.

That’s all there is to it. If you are planning to enter SM Mall from the Burnham Park side instead of the Session Road side, please refer to the following information.

SM Mall Game Center

The top floor of SM Mall has many places to pass time for a long time, including an observation deck and a movie theater. On one of these floors, near the movie theater, there is a game arcade.

The facility is quite crowded on holidays, with everyone from small children to elderly people.

It is a UFO catcher, and there are about 20 of the same machine. I tried several times, but the arm is quite weak and there is no sign of getting it. I don’t think there was a single person in the building with a prize…

There are also shooting games and driving games such as Mario Kart. All of them are working properly, and the LCDs are clearly visible and can be played without any problems.

There are rhythm games played by hand and sound game types such as Dance Dance Revolution. I saw many players who were playing these games and were getting high scores with their skilled moves.

Medal games: For some reason, there seemed to be a high percentage of elderly people playing these games…? Maybe this area is similar to Japan.

Personally, I felt a sense of nostalgia to the max for this aircraft. It reminded me of the old days when I used to spin the roulette wheel as hard as I could at the local arcade. The jackpot prize here is a stuffed animal. There were also purikura and other things.

How to play and prize exchange system

In Japanese game arcades, you need to exchange cash for UFO catchers and arcade games, and medals for medal games, but here, all games are played with medals called tokens. The rate is 4 tokens for 20 pesos .

The rate is 4 tokens for 20 pesos (about ³), and each token is exchanged for a slightly lower price as the exchange amount increases. All games can be played at a relatively low price compared to the Japanese system.

Another crucial difference from the Japanese system is that you can get prizes for playing games. For some games, you can get tickets after playing. The tickets look like the picture below, and the next picture is a special machine for counting tickets.

And in the center of the arcade is a counter where all the prizes are lined up. There are various kinds of prizes such as stuffed animals, figures, toys, etc. Each prize has a number attached to it.

You may have noticed that each prize has a number attached to it. To win a prize, you need the number of tickets corresponding to this number, and it is common to find tickets for prizes in excess of 1,000 or 10,000.

When I played a little basketball game for about 5 minutes, I got about 10 tickets. Since this game was 3 tokens, how much time and money do I have to spend to get the prizes….

Summary

This time I introduced a game arcade in Baguio SM Mall in the Philippines. The facilities are well maintained, and those who haven’t visited a game center in a while will probably enjoy it.

バギオ留学生必見！SM CITY BAGUIOの全容を紹介！

バギオで最も多くの人が集まる場所、それはSM CITY BAGUIO、またの名をSMモール。あまりにも有名過ぎて留学に来る前から知っている人が多数です。ここに行けば何でも揃うし、1日過ごすことが出来る、かつての日本のショッピングモールのよう

はふたぶろぐ | バギオの情報リアルタイム発信

Prices seem to be cheaper than in Japan, and it might be a good opportunity to start playing sound games and try to master them. Well, I think that many people come here only for the purpose of studying abroad, so it must be done in moderation. Also, if you have something to do in SM, please try to use the shortcut as well, by all means!

The Philippines is all about bananas. Bananas are the Philippines. Such an image is already well established in Japan, isn’t it? If you have never paid attention to where they come from, please take a look at them at the supermarket. The share should be Philippines, Philippines, Philippines…sometimes Vietnam and Ecuador.

Bananas are cheap and nutritious in Japan under high prices and inflation, and are great for breakfast and snacks, but we have investigated what they are like there. This time, we compared four types of bananas and ranked them in terms of taste, price, etc. Before ranking them, we would like to tell you about the market.

Banana sales area at a city market

At the market, each bunch of bananas is sold carefully. Personally, I had an image of piles and piles of bananas overflowing, but this was not the case. Prices are set in detail according to size and ripeness, so that you can shop according to your preferences.

It is also surprising that the range of pricing is quite large. The prices listed here are per kilogram, so the prices vary depending on the size, but they range from 20 pesos to 130 pesos, which is quite a wide range.

By default, they are sold in bunches of 10 or so, so you may wonder if you will be able to eat that many, but don’t worry. Also, the color of the pesos may seem a bit dark, but this is nothing to worry about. But don’t worry, it’s not that bad. The reason will be introduced in the ranking.

4th：SABA BANANA　30 peso

This banana is characterized by its thick and short form. At a quick glance, it may look dark and overripe, but the inside is moderately hard and yellow as you can imagine. This is why I said earlier that there is no need to worry about the longevity of the bananas, and this is why the color is just right.

The taste is nice with moderate sweetness, but the center of the banana is a bit scabby and uncomfortable. In Japan, this mackerel banana is sold in green color for cooking. In that case, it is said to be handled like a potato, and it may be a variety that does not ripen easily due to its thickness.

The price is 50 pesos for a kilogram, and this size costs about 30 pesos, which is quite reasonable, but the taste is not as important as the price, which is why it is ranked 4th.

3rd：LAKATAN BANANA 90 peso

Next is LAKATAN BANANA. I should mention first that this was the most expensive banana among all the bananas I bought this time. At 90 pesos for a banana of this size, it is almost the same as the ones we buy in Japan. It has a familiar shape with the yellow color and curved shape that we imagine.

The taste, however, is quite good for the price. Not only are they sweet, but their texture is chunky, unlike cheaper bananas. I think there are bananas in Japan that you can buy for 100 yen or 200 yen, and this one is closer to the flavor of the latter.

The taste was definitely good, but 1 kg costs around 100 pesos. Considering its cosmetic value, it was not suitable for everyday use, and thus it came in third place.

2nd：NATIVE LAKATAN BANANA 60 peso

These are also LAKATAN bananas, but they are much smaller in size. Eating three of these will finally give you the satisfaction of eating one banana of the normal image. These are also quite dark and look like they are ripening, but they are not damaged.

The taste is delicious, as it bears the same LAKATAN name, and since it is labeled NATIVE, this is probably the original one, but it is inevitably different from our image of bananas, isn’t it? Unfortunately, because they are small, they don’t feel chunky, but you can eat them without getting tired of them.

The taste is fine, and the price is 50 pesos for 1 kg, which is a fair level, so it is ranked second.

1st：TUMOK BANANA 14 peso(約37円)

It is no exaggeration to say that I wrote this article to introduce this banana. The price is surprisingly low: 14 pesos (about 37 yen).

The reason for the low price is that this store specializes in these bananas. They change their pricing based on the ripeness of the bananas, which is why I was able to buy them when they were at their lowest price. This banana is unique in that it has a whisker like thing on the top of the connecting part.

The taste and texture are average, nothing special, but nothing bad either. If the taste is not bad, and the cost is not too high, there is no shortage of reasons to give it the No. 1 position. This is a product that only those who know that even if Philippine bananas are black, the inside is okay can buy without hesitation.

Summary

In this article, I introduced bananas for breakfast and snacks. Inevitably, the Japanese image of black on the outside makes you think that the inside is soft and crushed, but that is not true. I did not encounter any bad quality ones.

There are many other types of bananas in the Philippines. I think it will be hard to find one that surpasses the TUMOK BANANA that took first place this time, but if I come across another interesting one, I will introduce it to you again!