If you are a foreigner, communication with family, friends and colleagues in your home country is always important, while communication with contacts in the Philippines remains essential.
If in case you were not able to bring your own cellular phone from your country to the Philippines, all it takes to have one of the cheapest yet reliable handsets are $25 and a trip to the nearest gadget shop. Buying handsets that are recently released in the international market have a slightly higher price in the Philippines compared to the countries where they were manufactured. That said, it is not recommended to buy expensive mobile phones if you just need to stay for a few weeks in the country.