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 only way to get there from major cities such as Clark and Manila is by overland express bus.

How to take an express bus…?

When can I make a reservation…?

Are there any buses at night? Is the waiting area safe…?

To answer these questions, we will explain how to ride and make reservations for the “Joy Bus”. This is an express bus that connects Baguio to various destinations.

This information is based on a late-night departure in June 2025, when we used this service to travel from Baguio to Manila Airport in the early morning.

If you’re thinking about flying to Clark Airport, check out this article.

What is Joy Bus?

Joy Bus is a bus operated by Genesis.

It is characterized by its bright blue buses and offers routes from Baguio to Manila Airport and Clark Airport.

The number of buses operates every hour. It is easy to make a schedule according to flight times.

However, details are frequently updated. For example, the terminal to go through, the grade of the bus, and other details other than the time are subject to change.

It is best to check directly at the bus terminal, as they are often not updated on the website.

Here is the map for the Joy Bus Terminal in Baguio.

If you can’t make it to the location, you may also check our Facebook page for information. Search for “joy bus baguio” on Facebook and sort by date. You should see the new timetable.

Timetable & Fees

Here is the latest Baguio to Manila Airport timetable for June 2025.

NAIA means Ninoy Aquino Airport, or Manila Airport. You can see that there are direct buses to each of Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Here is the timetable posted at the bus terminal.

Quite a few flights are available from early morning to late at night.

This timetable may be easier to read because the information is scattered up and down, making it difficult to understand.

Also written next to the time is the grade of the bus.

“GENESIS DELUXE“ has three rows of seats and ”JOUBUS PREMIERE” has four rows of seats.

In the Philippines, some buses still don’t have air conditioning. But don’t worry, all of our buses have air conditioning.

How to take Joy Bus (Reservation)

From here, will explain how to use the Joy Bus by following the actual procedure.

I used it to go from Baguio to Manila airport to catch a flight to Japan.

Decide which bus to use

The first step is to decide on a bus.

What time should we book the bus in the first place?

I would recommend taking the bus 8 hours before your flight.

It takes about five hours to get from Baguio to Manila by bus. If you are flying abroad, most people think you should get to the airport three hours before your plane is due to leave.

To avoid any problems, it’s best to buy your plane ticket eight hours before you plan to leave.

In my case, I had an early morning flight at 8:00 a.m. so I decided to book a flight leaving at midnight.

But you can make small changes to it. You can book the bus several hours before you want to travel, in case you are not sure you will make it on time. You can also choose your preferred departure time.

Reserve a bus

It is said that bus reservations can be made two weeks prior to the boarding date.

There are two ways to make a reservation

• Online Booking
• Reservations at the bus terminal

Online Booking

You can also make a booking with Joybus online, which is unusual for the Philippines. You can also pay by credit card.

We are concerned about whether the reservations have been made properly because of where the Philippines is, but so far we have not received any reports of incomplete reservations, so it is probably safe to assume that they have been made.

IWant Seat (https://www.iwantseats.com/)

However, there is a possibility of trouble with payment due to the security of credit card companies on the Japanese side.

In that case, ask for help from the language school staff or make a reservation at the bus terminal counter in a mature manner.

Reservations at the bus terminal

For this trip, I booked at the local counter. The location is the bus terminal near SM Mall, which I told you about earlier.

It was a little after noon on Saturday when I visited. Since it was a holiday, there was a line of about 20 people at the counter.

I was in the queue for about 30 minutes. Customers were arriving one after another, so be prepared to wait this long if you are visiting on a holiday.

When it was my turn and I tried to inform them of my flight reservation, I was handed the following paper.

You will need to write the date and time of your reservation, and the name of the person making it, on this form.

I chose the “DELUXE” grade bus to Terminal 3 at midnight. The price was 740 pesos.

After I paid, I was given a receipt that also served as a boarding pass. To be honest, the handwriting is not very clear, but this completes the reservation.

How to take Joy Bus (How to ride)

Well, let’s visit the bus terminal again when the date and time for boarding the bus is approaching. There are about 30 waiting seats next to the ticket counter.

This is the scene before midnight.

As you can see, there are many people and the lights are bright, so the security situation seems to be safe. You will be able to wait in peace until your bus arrives.

There should be several buses parked at the terminal. There are two key points to identify the bus you will board.

• Check the bus number
• Check destination guidance

Check the bus number

A whiteboard near the waiting area lists the bus numbers.

For a bus departing at 0:00, you can see that you should take the bus with the number “8707”.

Remember that the number here is for the car body, not the license plate.

In this case, the last four digits of the vehicle body numbers match, so we know it is correct.

Check destination guidance

There is also a way to check the destination of a stopped bus to see if it is the bus you will be on. Here is a point to look at.

NAIA is the name of the airport in Manila. Find the right bus and show your ticket to the staff. They will stow large luggage in the luggage compartment and tell you to wait inside.

It seemed that the bus I was boarding had already arrived at the terminal 30 minutes earlier.

Joy Bus Use Report

I will now describe what the car condition was.

From boarding to departure

The bus I used this time was the DELUXE (4-row seats) departing at midnight on weekdays to Manila Airport. There were about 50 seats and it was almost full.

The bus seating area and space is as follows. It was a standard grade bus, but the seating area was cleaner than I expected.

There is no free service of water or snacks, which is common overseas. There are no restroom breaks along the way, and we are heading to Manila at once.

Departure

The bus left at the scheduled time.

Soon after we started driving, the lights went out and it was dark inside the car. The car was quiet inside, so it was a good place to have a sleep.

Also, the temperature inside the car is fine.

Buses in the Philippines can get very cold because the air conditioner is set very strong. This time, however, the bus kept the temperature just right until the end of the trip.

Arriving in Manila

There were no problems or passengers getting on and off along the way, and we headed smoothly to Manila. The first point of arrival was CUBAO.

I arrived here at 3:40 a.m. I was in Manila in less than four hours.

It was a late-night flight, so there was no traffic, which made it go well.

There was a 15 minute wait at this CUBAO. Maybe they had a specific time to enter the airport and were adjusting the timing.

I arrived at Manila Terminal 3 at 4:15 a.m. Still, it was much earlier than I had expected.

Inside Manila Airport to Departure

Joy Bus arrives at the Arrival Area of Terminal 3.

In the past, visitors had to go through security checks just to enter the airport, but now they can come and go as they want.

There is also a currency exchange at the arrival area.

It was open even early in the morning, so if you have a large amount of money left over, you can use it to settle your pesos.

After taking the escalator up about two levels, you will see a depature area with airline counters.

As the sign in the back says “Non-passengers are not allowed in this area,” you need to prove that you are a passenger at the airport on the same day to enter this area.

Show your e-ticket for the day, etc.

Then, check in at the respective airline counters.

It was early in the morning, but there was a huge line at the Cebu Pacific counter. I guess it is better to have enough time.

On the other hand, the AirAsia counter was scrambled because it was more than 3 hours before the flight. I arrived too early, but it was better than waiting in line for a long time.

After baggage check-in, baggage inspection, and passport control, you are ready to leave the country.

If you are returning to Japan and have not yet registered for Visit Japan, use the time you have to wait to do so.

Summary

I have provided information on how to use Joy Bus (Joy Bus) as of June 2025.

Can you get an idea of how to get from Baguio to Manila airport and how to take a bus?

International students do not have much to think about once they arrive in the Philippines, as most use the school’s pick-up van.

But you will have to make your own plans for the way back, which I hope you will do with this example.

Please note that if there is a holiday on the same day, Joy Bus may not be able to make a reservation for you.

In that case, use another bus company, Victory Liner.

Victory Liner has more flights, and it’s easier to change the time. But remember that it is not directly connected to the airport. When you arrive at the bus terminal in Manila, you will need to get a taxi.

Unlike Baguio, Manila has some concerns about security and dealing with rip-offs.

If you are a little concerned about safety, it is better to use the Joy Bus, which is directly connected to the airport, even if you have to move the date and time.

If you’re studying in the Philippines for a short while, you’ll probably have no trouble finding tourist spots. But if you’re planning to stay for a long while, it might be worth checking out the local scenery. But, because they’re local, there are some issues.

はふた

How do I access there…?

When that happens, I suggest going on sightseeing tours that are set up for locals.

In this article, we’ll talk about the pros of using group tours for sightseeing in the Philippines.

This article is a continuation of “Dingalan, Aurora. Beach and Island Tour“. I suggest reading the article above first, since the first part is especially relevant.

Joiners Groups in the Philippines

I’ve used Philippine tour groups twice before.

The first time was when I went on a really tough day-long mountaineering trip to Mt. Pulag, and the second time was on this trip to Aurora.

404 NOT FOUND | haveto blog

You have to go to Baguio right now

haveto blog

Dingalan, Aurora. Beach and Island Tour

The Philippines has a lot of really beautiful places. There are all kinds of different types, like ocean, mountain, and

haveto blog

When I traveled to San Juan, Vigan, Banaue, and other places in the past, I’d rent a van to get around. That worked well for me because I wanted to decide the time allocation on my own.

However, Mt. Pulag and Aurora are a different story. I had to go through some special procedures at the site.

As foreigners, it’s tough, and it’s also hard to get the info we need beforehand.

We’d like to get info from our language school teachers, but most of them reply, 👦”I don’t know much about it…. People in Baguio tend to stay inside a lot!

Advantages of using a tour company

If you are going to a place you are not familiar with, rely on professionals. There are several advantages to taking a tour.

• Travel plans are available
• Group rates apply
• Meet new people

Travel plans are available

If you’re having a hard time making plans in a new place, get someone who knows the area well to make an itinerary for you. With a local guide, you won’t have to worry about getting tickets or paying for anything when you get there.

On this Aurora trip, they took care of everything from getting us around, including transfers, to arranging the boat and lunch.　The process was finished in the shortest time possible, which was great in terms of time efficiency.

Group rates apply

Taking a tour can also save you money. That’s because the cost of transportation and guides can be split among a group. In general, if you want to keep transportation costs low, you’ll probably think about using buses. But if you’re traveling to a wide range of places, the costs can really add up. Using taxis or tricycles with a small number of people is often more expensive.

The tour company has an all-inclusive price. The price is set and doesn’t change based on the number of people. The price for Aurora was 1,800 pesos for a day trip, including transportation, van, boat, guide, and lunch. I think the price was pretty reasonable.

Meet new people

It’s a good or a bad thing, depending on who you are, but it’s a great way to meet new people. The tour plan, called a joiner, is basically for Filipinos who live there. The other participants are all Filipinos. I’ve found that the tour participants are usually pretty friendly towards foreigners.

Since English is the common language in the Philippines, communication is not a problem. This is a unique advantage for the Philippines, where English is widely spoken. Filipinos are friendly towards foreigners who are interested in the Philippines. When you travel with them, they’ll tell you about good food and hidden spots, which will make your trip even better.

Aurora Joiner Travel Memorandum

I’d like to go over the details of the joiner’s trip one more time. Here’s the schedule we were given ahead of time:

【Day 0】Applying

I registered for the joiner tour I participated in this time through Facebook. The registration was finished 15 hours before the tour started. It was less than a day after the reservation was completed. It was a total coincidence that we almost joined the tour. The deciding factor was “this picture.

“SEAT SALE” basically means a last-minute discount. This ad popped up on Facebook out of the blue. I had been thinking, “I’d like to visit Aurora someday,” and when I noticed I had already applied. This image doesn’t show the price or percentage discount. If you want the details, you’ll have to contact the tour group directly. Just so you know, “PM” stands for “Private Message.”

So I sent the following message.

はふた

Here is the message that came back.

Tour agency

For 1,800 pesos, a five-hour day trip each way is definitely worth it. At this point, the more I heard about the event, the more I wanted to participate—but I decided to get some details about the itinerary first. Here’s the plan that was sent to me.

I also found out that the original price was 1,999 pesos. It was actually a 10% discount. I’m leaving in 10 hours. So, I hurried to get ready. The other instructions I received are following.

Also, I need to pay in advance to reserve a tour. The amount is 500 pesos. I paid with online money transfer using “Gcash,” one of the local cashless payment methods. The rest of the payment will be due at the end of the tour.

At the meeting point

We were planning to leave at 1:30 AM, so I took a nap at 9 PM. the night before and left school around midnight. We’ll meet near the Victory Liner bus terminal. It was right around the same time when I went to Mt. Pulag.

Before, the van was parked in a big lot at Jollibee, but this time it was parked on the main street. I met my driver 30 minutes before departure. Thankfully, he was already on standby.

But, this is the Philippines. It’s a place where being laid back and on time, or what they call “Filipino time,” is the usual way of doing things. I’m wondering what time we’ll all be getting together.

I feared it would be late, but the meeting was completed 15 minutes before departure. They were on time, and some of them even got there before me. Like I noticed on my last trip to Mt. Pulag, Filipinos who love to travel are always on time.

Departure to Aurora

There were 11 people on the tour. Also, there was one guide and one driver, for a total of 13 people. It was a late night, so there wasn’t a formal introduction, and we all headed out right after we got together.

Once again, I was the only foreigner there. The van was pretty much packed, with 11 people crammed into the back three rows.

Then, we started our journey down the winding mountain roads of Baguio. The inside of the van was dark and quiet, so I was able to sleep without any problems.

Breakfast At The Restaurant

Three hours after leaving Baguio, I was asleep. Before I knew it, I had arrived at my first destination.

Here is the venue of the breakfast.「Helen’s NINGNANGAN and RESTAURANT」

It’s 4:30 a.m., and the sun hasn’t come up yet, but the place is full of customers. Of course, all the customers are Filipinos, except for me.

Breakfast is a budget meal called “turo turo” or “silog,” where you pick from a bunch of side dishes. There’s a staff member there to serve you your meal, and you can just point to what you want.

I chose the stir-fried corned beef and spring rolls + garlic rice. The price was 100 pesos.

It’s just as good as it looks, and the whole thing is pretty decadent. Some people might find this meal a bit heavy, but I’m used to Filipino food and I liked it.

To The Peninsula Tour!

After breakfast, it was time to head out for a tour of the peninsula. We’re starting in a port called Dingalan. As I said in my last article, the sea and mountains look stunning in the morning sun.

This is where the tour of the peninsula starts, and there are always new families and tours coming in. That’s where tours come in handy, because you can just sit back and let them take care of everything.

The tour representative will take care of everything from registration to boat arrangements, so all we participants have to do is wait. Once you’ve finished the sign-up process, we’ll listen to the orientation in Tagalog, and then we’re all set to go.

You can read more about sightseeing from here in our previous blog. Please click here!

Lunch is a traditional Filipino boodle fight!

After enjoying the beach, caves, and hiking, it’s time for lunch. We’ll have a “boodle fight“—it’s a traditional Filipino meal.

Here, they have a big platter of rice, side dishes, and fruits all laid out on a banana leaf, and everyone just eats it by hand. This might be a bit of a struggle for individuals or small groups of travelers, but it’s part of the program if you’re on a tour.

Since we’re near the ocean this time, the food options have more seafood. Fresh shrimp, squid, and shellfish are served on top. This rice is super easy to eat, and I ended up eating twice as much as usual!

To the famons Waterfall

The main part of the tour trip was to visit the peninsula, but there was another destination. That is “Tanawan Falls,” a locally famous waterfall.

It is about 30 minutes away from Dingalan Feeder Port by van.

When I heard the word “waterfall,” I had an image of a waterfall deep in the mountains surrounded by nature, but Tanawan Falls has been converted into a tourist attraction that looks like an amusement park.

We’ve got athletic and photo spots, swimming pools, dormitories, and zip lines. All of these are there to give you a waterfall and activity experience.

There are four plans you can use, and you can choose your preferences.

I was a little tired from my tour of the peninsula, so I decided to enter with a plan to see only the waterfalls.

After checking in at the reception desk, it took about 10 minutes to get to the path and stairs, which were in good shape. Here’s what I saw.

Overflowing with people, people, people…!

That’s not surprising, since this was in the middle of Holy Week, a four-day holiday weekend in May. No wonder it was so crowded.

I ended up just relaxing by the waterfall and cooling off in the pool for about 30 minutes.

I wouldn’t say Tanawan Falls is a must-see for everyone. If you’re looking for a natural waterfall, I’d suggest checking out Tangadan Falls near San Juan Beach.

But the view from the reception desk was really nice.

Buy Souvenirs

The trip ends with shopping at a small market where there are a bunch of souvenir shops. The market is about 5 or 6 stores, a little larger than the Salisari Store. There weren’t any specialties, just the usual snacks and sweets.

I bought just this T-shirt. I love collecting local T-shirts, so this was a must-have for me.

Then it was back to Baguio, leaving Aurora around 5:30PM, arriving and disbanding around 10:30PM.

After the joiner trip…

After this joiner trip, I once again felt grateful for the English culture in the Philippines. I can communicate with other tourists and get information that only locals could know.

When they talk to me, they speak English, but when it comes to Filipinos talking to each other, they speak Tagalog. Some of you might not be able to stand it because you’ll be in a situation where you don’t know what they’re talking about.

So, here are the people we’re looking to join the tour:

The local people who participate in joiners are pretty friendly and helpful. Sure, there are individual differences, but the hurdles aren’t as high as you’d expect.

Here are the tour groups I used this time.

If you follow it on Facebook, you might find some interesting places and unexpected sales. If you’re interested in a group trip, I hope you’ll join us on one of our tours!

Popular spots like “Hundred Islands” and “Vigan” are a hit with international students in Baguio.

はふた

Hey, do you want to visit some cool local tourist spots that most foreign students don’t know about?

We’ll show you the beaches and mountains in a local area of the Philippines called “Aurora.” You’ll get a stunning view…!

Where is Aurora, Dingalan?

Aurora is a province on the east coast of Luzon Island in the northern Philippines. It’s shaped like a long narrow area along the coast, as you can see on the map below.

Aurora is about 200 km from Baguio, and the trip takes less than 4 hours. Depending on the destination, you might have to add a few hours on top of that.

Dingalan, our destination this time, is an extra hour away. To put it simply, it takes about five hours there and back from Baguio.

As usual, you have to take a winding mountain road to get from Baguio to the city. If you get easily car sick, be sure to prepare some medicine to avoid being it.

Climate of Aurora Dingaland

In April of 2025.

April is the end of the dry season and the start of the rainy season, which is said to be the hottest time of year in many parts of the country.

Here’s the temperature difference: Compared to Baguio, which is cooler, Aurora Province has an everlasting summer climate.

Weather forecast in Baguio

Weather forecast in Aurora

Since this trip was a late night departure and early morning arrival, it wasn’t too hot at 5:00 a.m., and I was fine wearing a hoodie.

But then the sun came out in the afternoon, making it hard to spend a lot of time in places where the sun is shining.

Sightseeing Spots in Aurora, Dingalan

One of the best things you can do in Aurora is to visit the spectacular natural scenery.

This time, I visited two spots with a tour company.

• Tour of the Dingalan Peninsula
• Tanawan Falls

Tour of the Dingalan Peninsula

The main part of the itinerary is a tour of this peninsula. It is a great plan to enjoy both the sea and the mountains.

The most famous of all is Batanes of the East, rated 4.8 stars (450) on Google Maps. There were only high rating reviews and very few bad reviews.

The most frequently used keywords are “hiking,” “climbing,” and “adventure,” and it seems that hands-on activities are highly valued.

Tanawan Falls

At first glance, “Tanawan Falls” seems to be just a place with a waterfall surrounded by nature.

In reality, it is an amusement park.

The waterfall play was the main attraction, but the park had been artificially enhanced with facilities such as a zip line, photo booth, and dormitories.

The rating on Google Maps is 4.4 stars (380), overall a high rating, but there were some negative comments about it being “small and crowded”. I myself found it to be crowded. Well, it was a visit during a 4-day weekend, so it was a bit unavoidable.

Tour of the Dingalan Peninsula

From here, I would like to talk about the details of the Peninsula Tour!

The model case for the Peninsula Tour is as follows

The Dingalan Peninsula Tour is a plan to charter a boat and go swimming and hiking in the ocean.

Dingalan Feeder Port

Here you will register your name and charter a boat.

The view from the harbor is like the one below. The contrast between the coast, the cliffs, and the mountains is very nice, and everything looks beautifully lit.

I was amazed by the bright green color that reminded me of the “Chocolate Hills“, one of the most famous tourist spots in the Philippines.

Several small boats are anchored in the harbor and large ships can be seen offshore. In the early morning, you can also see the scenery illuminated by the rising sun. This is a view that cannot be seen in Baguio, which is surrounded by mountains, so it is quite impressive.

Back to the procedure.

To register on the list, you must give your name, address, and date of birth. The registration fee is 60 pesos per person. You will then meet the guides and the boat driver.

I was on a tour, so all the formalities were done by a representative. Then, before we left, we had an orientation…

ツアーガイド

Mangyaring magsuot ng life jacket sa bangka.

はふた

(No way, it’s all Tagalog…!)

So I did not understand the orientation very well…. Well, that was unavoidable since all the tour participants were Filipinos except me. It probably said “wear life jackets on the boat” and “don’t throw your arms and legs out“.

Travel by boat

A total of 13 people (10 tour participants, 1 tour guide and 2 drivers) boarded the boat and went to the base.

Here is the boat we boarded this time.

Life jackets are required during the trip, and you can sit on the side and enjoy the scenery. The speed is slower than a vehicle, but there is a pleasant breeze. The waves are calm and there is no splashing.

When I went to the sea, I thought the green of the mountains was beautiful. The blue of the ocean and the green of the mountains look very nice.

It took me about 20 minutes to get from the harbor to the base. At that time, I felt quite excited.

White Beach Resort

After traveling by boat for a while, you will often see people setting up camp.

Now, I arrived at the destination.

Our base is the White Beach Resort, a beach with campsites. We anchor the boat and go ashore.

The beach is not that big, only about 10 minutes from one end to the other.

It is not as white as the name “White Beach” might suggest, and many parts of the beach are stone scaffolds like mud flats.

The clarity of the sea is like this. At high tide the water is quite clear, but at low tide I felt that the water was quite muddy.

The base for this event was a section of a cabin. A few simple tables and chairs are provided. There is a store and a light hot snack shop nearby.

There is also a first aid house or something near the sea, so you won’t be in trouble in case of an emergency.

Of course, there are toilets and showers, but it is a simple type that you flush yourself.

Batanes of the East

As soon as we arrived at the base, we started hiking without going into the ocean. Behind the White Beach Resort is the entrance to the trail.

We left our big luggage at the base, packed light and were ready to go.

The hiking trail is in the condition shown in the photo. You will have to walk all the way up the trail, which is a mixture of dirt and mud.

By the way, the destination is the part indicated by the arrow in the picture below. The height of the starting point: from 0 m above sea level you have to climb to the top of the hill.

Shoes and flip-flops are not recommended, as some parts of the trail are very muddy. Sandals that can be securely fastened to your feet are recommended.

There are also situations where you have to climb a slope as steep as a staircase. In such places, there are ropes and you should use them well to reach the top.

It took us about 30 minutes to climb the rather hard mountain path. Finally, you are confronted with an impressive view.

↓

↓

This scene that appeared before my eyes is truly impressive. Both the mountains and the ocean play a leading role, and the contrast of colors is extremely beautiful.

There were vivid colors that felt like they had been image-edited, even though we were supposed to be watching a live scene. The location was so beautiful that I was so surprised and receptive that I could not think of anything else for a while.

One thing you have to be careful about. That is the intense sunlight.

There are few shadows, and the sun shines fiercely, so sunscreen measures such as hats and lotions are essential.

After enjoying the scenery to the fullest, the next stop is the Dingalan Lighthouse.

It is a rather open room with a single high tower on top of a small hill.

Unfortunately, the entrance is blocked, so it is not possible to climb up.

It will take you about 10 minutes to get there.

The trail is well trodden and relatively easy to walk.

The distant view is not much different, but this one was wider with a grassy plain.

Having enjoyed the lighthouse, you are now on your way back. Let’s return to the base on a different route than the one we took.

Dingalan Cave

The last stop is the Cave. Going to the cave is an optional fee and costs 100 pesos per person.

However, it is not like diving into a cave, which is the common image.

It is more like going to see a big hole in the seashore.

You will need to take a boat again from White Beach, where the base is located, to get to the cave.

Go around the protruding part of the peninsula to the other side.

The trip to the cave takes about 20 minutes one way.

You can get as close as this, but you cannot come to shore. We had to jump into the sea and go ashore.

The waves seemed pretty high. Although life jackets are provided, if you are not a good swimmer, you may want to wait on the boat.

I came here because I had to, but I just thought, “It’s a big hole,” so if you have time, you might want to give it a try. It is also fun to take a boat ride.

Return to port

When you have had enough fun and are satisfied, return to the port. Please ask your guide to arrange a return boat for you well in advance.

If you have followed the itinerary to this point, you should have five hours, including time for lunch.

When you arrive at the port, the entire trip is over. Take a van or tricycle to your destination or return home.

Conclusion

In this article I introduced the beaches in the area of Aurora, on the east coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

It is a fun place to experience something new and full of local flavor.

I joined a tour I found on Facebook and all the other participants were Filipinos.

I didn’t hear a word of Japanese, Korean or even English on the beach. I was immersed in Tagalog for the first time in a long time.

The price was 1,800 pesos.

I think this price is quite reasonable for the van, boat, guide and lunch included.

If visiting on your own is too difficult, you may want to join a tour.

I hope you will refer to this article and visit the Aurora Borealis, a hidden and spectacular place!

Hundred Islands vs. Aurora: Which is better?

Well, while Aurora’s beaches were truly a hidden gem for foreigners, there are other areas where similar activities can be enjoyed.

It’s Hundred Islands.

Marine Activities at Hundred Islands!

We will provide you with the latest information about Handled Island, which is only 4 hours and 30 minutes away from Bag

haveto blog

It is exactly the same in that you rent a boat and visit the sights. In fact, I thought it was similar to the Hundred Islands during my trip.

はふた

For beginners, Handled Island is recommended.

The reasons are as follows

Used to foreign tourists

ハンドレッドアイランドのスタッフは外国人慣れしているため、積極的に英語で話してくれようとしてくれますし、こちらが拙い英語でもなんとかなることが多いです。

一方、オーロラに外国人はほとんど居ませんでした。スタッフの方は英語も話せるはずですが、あまり慣れていないような印象を受けました。

Easy to access

There is a direct bus service to Alaminos, where Hundred Islands is located. Tricycles to get there are also easy to arrange.

Aurora, on the other hand, is more remote and difficult to get to. Therefore it is better to use a van.

Beautiful ocean

Although it may be due to the conditions of the day, the clarity of the ocean seemed to be higher on the Hundred Islands. Being on the west side of the island, it seems to be less affected by typhoons.

Plenty of activities

Handled Island offers a variety of activities such as zip lines, banana boats and dive sites in addition to snorkeling.

It is overwhelmed by the number of marine activities.

Clean toilets and showers

I think the port from which Handred Island departed had toilets and showers that were relatively clean and easy to use.

Aurora, on the other hand, is very basic. Maybe some people dislike that.

Recommendations in Aurora

However, the Aurora Borealis has a unique feature that only the Aurora Borealis can offer.

This is the capability to enjoy both sea and mountain views.

Batanes of the East in particular is a one-of-a-kind view like no other. I, too, was impressed.

It’s a place you don’t often get a chance to visit, so it’s a great way to experience something different from others.

If you are in the Philippines and have already visited all the major tourist attractions, or if you are looking for an unusual experience, you should definitely visit Aurora Dingalan!

Group trip story; 10 Filipinos, strangers.【The memorandum of Aurora trip】

The most famous tourist attractions on Luzon Island in the Philippines are Manila, Angeles, Vigan, and Baguio.If you&amp

haveto blog

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.

はふた

I guess what we can see is just rural senary, and everyone exaggerates it or so??
…I thought.

In fact, it is not boring, it’s fun so much, and I realized that it is great place to enjoy activity especially for trekking. Therefore, I’d like to share a whole our travel and the way to enjoy Banaue!

Sightseeing Spots in Banaue

There are 4 sightseeing spots for the begineers where they can choose as below.

1. BATAD VILLAGE & RICE TERRACES
    + TAPPIYAH FALLS
2. BANGAAN VILLAGE & RICE TERRACES
3. BANAUE MAIN VIEW POINT
4. HAPAO RICE TERRACES & HOT SPRINGS

As you know, the most famous place is the Rice Terraces, but there are some different features each other. Among these places above, the most popular one is “1. BATAD VILLAGE & RICE TERRACES + TAPPIYAH FALLS” definitely. On the other hand, the spot where being easy to access is “3. BANAUE MAIN VIEW POINT”, and it takes 1 hour to see all.

Among these choices, we visited 1, 2, and 3. In my opinion, I’d like to rank them as these number, and introduce them in order!

BATAD VILLAGE

• ACCESS
  BATAD VILLAGE is located in 16km far place from Banaue, and it took 40 mins by van. There must be the most famous and vastest.
• TIME REQUIRED
  7 hours：Rice terraces trekking, Playing in the water at the water fall
• SERVICE FEE
  Normally, the entrance fee including both Rice Terraces and Water fall is 50 pesos each, but we could enter there for 40 pesos because we are students. In addition, there is an additional payment for parking lot. For a tricicle, it costs 50 pesos for 1day, or 200 pesos for overnight. For a van, it costs 150 pesos for 1day, or 300 pesos for overnight.
  

• GUIDE FEE
  I recommend to recruit guides to visit because the ways to these Rice Terraces are complecated. In our case, I contacted with some guide groups through Facebook in advance, but we hired a guide provided by the owner of the hostel because it was so affordable. The price was 1,300 pesos for 8 people, the cheapest one than others.

For your information, I got several type of suggestions from each tour guide like “It required to hire 2 guides, and the fee is 1,200 pesos each”, or “650 pesos each attendee”. Amoung them, one group suggested us a good condition, you can contact him through a Facebook account below. he said “Though you are 8 members, it’s ok one guide for 1,500 pesos because you’re all 20s or 30s.“

BANGAAN VILLAGE

• ACCESS
  BANGAAN VILLAGE is located 18km far place from the city, and the direction is almost same as BATAD VILLAGE. Therefore, it’s better to visit them at the same time.
• TIME REQUIRED
  10 minutes：Some photo spots from high point
• SURVICE FEE
  None
• REMARK
  We can see an unique landscape that a small village is surrounded by the Rice Terraces in all directions. Perhaps, we may be able to go down and visit the village, but we passed at that time.
  

BANAUE MAIN VIEW POINT

• ACCESS
  It is located near the city about 4km far.
• TIME REQUIRED
  1 hour：Some photo spots from high point
• SURVICE FEE
  None
• REMARK
  This is the nearest and most convenient spots to see the Rice Terraces. We can find 5 view spots easily when we go north from the city. I recommend to go there before visiting BATAD because the scale is not so big.

HAPAO RICE TERRACES & HOT SPRINGS(Not visiting at this time)

• ACCESS
  It is located in west part from the city about 10km.
• TIME REQUIRED
  5 hours：Trekking at the Rice Terraces, natural hot spring.
• GUIDE FEE
  700pesos according to the tour guide introduced above.
• REMARK
  This is also trekking spot at the Rice Terrace. The goal is specifed to the natural hot spring, so, it provides us unique experience.　(We passed at this time because of the schedule)
  

MUST visit “BATAD”!

The BATAD Rice Terrace is the best for me, so I’d like to introduce a whole way in detail!

At first, we proceed to go down the slope after parking the van. The condition of that is steep like pictures below, so it definitily slippery. It is necessary to prepare the shoes which good for trekking.

After a while, we can find the building that having the role of reception and office. We regiter information and pay 50 pesos to enter.(Notice: You can get student discount if you bring your ID. It becomes 40 pesos) .

Go on the rough road, suddenly, the vast Rice Terraces appears in front of our sight. When I saw the landscape, I’m really moved and feel happy to have be able to visit there even though I was disapointed a little to see BANAUE MAIN VIEW POINT at 1st day.

Secoundly, we ‘ll proceed to the road in the village to approach the rice fields. The way is not flat but steep and unsteady because it is constructed aside of the mountain, so we have to care our step.

Also, it seems to be complecated for a beginner. That’s why, we are required to hire a travel guide. I recommend everyone to follow it because it’s very difficult to choose correct ways, but it’s not necessary as long as you have a experienced member.

Finally, we can face the fields in front of our sight after passing the road in the village. All what we can see are filelds, fields, and fields. Besides, the conbination of both blue sky and green mountain match with them very well.

Fortunately, the moment we visited was the best season, so we could see the fields which filled with rice plants. As a side note, the best month to visit there are known as both February to March or May to June. Former one is good for observing the situation of planting, and latter one is good for seeing rice plants.

The parts of sidewalk are too narrow and steep. Sometimes, even the handrail are missed, so, I’d like to warn the person who has Acrophobia.

Following that, we go down to leave for the water fall. It is pouring at the opposite sides of their Rice Terraces, and that location is much lower then them. It means we have to pass very steep site again.

After about 30 minutes going down, we finally reach the water fall. I realized that it’s not just optional place to drop by because it’s great landscape as well as the Rice Terraces.

This place is good for swimming, also. Then, we can take advantage of simple changing space which is installed by vinyl sheet. We can take a rest for a while since we must have been tired to reach there.

Lastly, we’ll head to the entrance. However, did you notice about the difficulity to do that? A whole trip until the water fall is going down, down and down, then, it’s time to go up. This type of adventure is so hard to complete because we already got tired on the half of the way.

In fact, I found some signboard which indicade the elevesion, and it’s obvious how far we proceeded when you see the pictures below. The signboard at the entrance shows it’s sea level is 1,100m. While, the sign near the water fall indicates 752m. I don’t have any idea which proves they are true, but the gap between the top point and the bottom is hard enough to make us exhausted, actually.

Thus, we seemed to step about 10km to complete all journey. We have to prepare suitable cloths and belongings because BATAD trip is not only a trekking but also climing a mountain.

Afterword

That’s all about the activities I experienced at BANAUE and BATAD. I was surprised they provide so hard activety than I expected before I didn’t have any ideas about that and I may heve underestimated about what we can do.  

【2024】The greatest World Heritage ”The Rise Terraces” in Banaue 【How to access】

"Banaue, Rice Terrace", I knew the name of place, of cource, but the long distance between Baguio and Banaue w

haveto blog

In conclusion, I strongly recommend everyone to go there because I coud get precious experiences. It’s my pleasure if these informations are helpful to consider to make your itinirary. I’d like to go to HAPAO if I have a chance to go there again.

See ya!

What’s “Banaue”?

Banaue is a northen small town where located in notrhen part of Luzon island. We can access there only few ways which passing the road by either car or bus. Furthermore, it is said that it takes 7 hours by van, and 10 hours by bus.

The most famous spot is definetely “Rice Terraces” which surrounded by vast nature. The maintained rice fields cordinates unprecedented scenery as a picture below. When it comes to the Philippines, you can imagine the beach easily, but you must have seen this location before.

There rice terraces has been resistered as a world culture helitage in 1995. The continuous scenery from lower to higher is known as if “The stair to heaven“, and it has been atracted a lot of people for long time.

The way to “Banaue”

Why it takes 7 to 10 hours? It is obvious when we look at the map. We have to choose the long distance to make a detour the high mountains because the northen part of Luzon island is surrounded them.This is the reality to stay at and go out Baguio city.

Futhermore, those roads must be zig-zag in the most of parts. When I went through such situations in real, I came up with a idea as below.

はふた

「！！？？」

「I must get car sick unless close my eyes… 」

Normally, I rarely get car sick, but I felt reallly bad mood at that time.

Especially, it’s so hard to endure the zig-zag road around Baguio City because there are many sharp curve. When I return back the way to Banaue, I realized that the road condition get sharp for first 2hours, mild for next 1hour, straight for 2hours, and zig-zag again for last 2hours.

The transportaions

As I clamed, there is no choice except passing the road, and we can choose 3 different transportations as below.

We chose “①Private Van“. As a result, I thought it is the best way to go there both comfortably and affordably. I’d like to state these pros and cons based on my experience.

Needless to say, the public transportation schedules like bus are already organized, so there is time limitation to paln to go to the trip. It might make us to give up to enjoy staying there efficiently even though it takes quite long time to go.

Also, it’s not smooth way to go because the bus often stop by somewhere to pick up and drop off the passangers. That’s why, it is said that it takes 10 hours while we can go there for 7 hours by van. In my opinion, that 3 hours gap is so big to go through because of the read condition.

In addition, we have to leave for the bus terminal to take on it at first, and have to wait until deperture time. Considering the situation, it’s more convenient to hire the private van since we can summon it whatever we want to gather. Also, it’s helpful to release our both physical and mental stress.　

There are many cases which we encounter the situation that temperature inside car become too much cool like a refrigerate. Someone said that he couldn’t stand without wearing his jacket. On the other hand, we can control AC with takin care of others.

Then, it is imprtant to consider a break time as well as temperature. We can’t decide the schedule to do it, and some bus drivers take much time longer than 30 min. The situation must be hard to keep our mood as well as less break time.

The second important thing is to hire a transportation to go around in Banaue. It is mandatry because most of sightseeing spots are far from the city. Hiring a tricicle, a bike attached sub seat on the side is common way on site.

However, hiring a private tricicle costs a lot, actually. It seems to be claimed approximately 3,000 pesos to go around there. We can share the fee each passenger because it is available for 3 people, but it is still big amount.

On the other hand, hiring a private van is helpful to save money to go around. We visited there with 8 members, and paid 15,000 pesos. It means 1,875 pesos each person including both the round trip and local transportation fare. It was not only more comfortable but also cheaper than bus.

Needless to say, a organizer has to recruit some members who join a travel plan if he wants to hire a private van. Sometimes, it is not easy to do that because of the long distance like I was.

Once, I almost gave up to organize it when some applicants changed their mind and cancel it, suddenly. In my opinion, the ban fare becomes almost same as both bus and tricicle fare, somehow you recruit 7 members.

When it comes to hiring a private van, the driver accompany with our group. Thus, we also have to take care of him. Given the contract with the tranportation company, what we provide to him was up to us.

We provided him a single room which one of our member canceled and breakfast on 2nd day. As a matter of fact, it was difficult for me to leave him because he must be tired to go through such a long drive. If we didn’t do that, he was supposed to stay night inside the van.

On the half way of Banaue, we were trapped by police inspection. Then, they asked not only the driver but also us some questions like “Where are you from?” or “Is there a tour guide?”. It took 30 min to leave for again.

We couldn’t know what kind of violations they claimed, but our driver seemd to get ticketed for some penalty for 3,000 pesos. As a result, we didn’t need to pay additional money because of the incident, but it rarely happen when we take advantage of bus.

Afterword 

That’s all about the part of my story about an access to Banaue based on my experiences. As I mentioned several times, I strongly recommend everyone to go there by a private van. Considering that efficience of time and comfortability, it is much better than other ways.

【2024年最新版】世界遺産のライステラスを見にBanaue(バナウエ)へ！ 【アクティビティ紹介】

「ライステラスって仰々しく言っているだけで、ただの田舎風景が見れるだけでしょ？」実際に行って見ると、退屈なんてことは無く、かなりアクティビティ性の高い場所なんだなと実感します。そこで、今回は旅の全容とバナウエの楽しみ方について、じっくり紹介

はふたぶろぐ | バギオの情報リアルタイム発信

In addition, there is an advantage for our budget. According to another website I checked before, the auther mentioned that we should bring nearly 5,000 pesos. It was written after pandemic, but total amount they spent is completely different.

The total amount of ours is below.

The individual amount is more affordable than we expected. (This is a sample on May, 2024.) I realized that Banaue is adequate scale to go around for 2 days 1 night. Also, I recommend you go to Sagada if your itenerary is longer than it.

#ドタバタ旅行記フィリピン公共交通機関
「バギオからバナウェ行き方」
※１ペソ=2.7円

バンか夜行バスを利用する２通りを確認(2024年4月23日時点)

［バンルート］
①バン利用=バギオ(Baguio)→ラガウェ(Lagawe)5h30m
・出発時間=7:00, 11:00, 14:00, 19:00
・乗り場(16.4180372, 120.5961104)…

— ドタバタ旅行記 (@DotabataJ99686) April 25, 2024

Lastly, I found an information abount bus schedule which one Japanese mentioned on X(Twitter), so I posted it above. Please check the latest information by yourself because I don’t have any proof it is correct.