Data is cheaper than calls. I don't even bother with call or text plans when I'm in the Phils. It costs a reasonable $8/mo to get 8GB of data if you use the right refillable promos.
With that said, internet is so darn slow and unreliable it must be messaging services. It's hard to get real work done from the Phils as a remote software developer. Thank goodness for Tmux and SSH.
+1 for mosh - life changing on spotty connections. I can tether in the back of a car in rural side streets and still keep a ssh session going strong with no disconnects on mosh. The mosh client is also available for chrome / chrome OS, which as saved me a few times.
I'm a remote dev from the US in the Philippines. I do a lot of work in tmux and ssh for sure.
DSL or fiber internet in the Philippines is the slowest and most expensive in SE Asia. It's because of the high degree of political corruption here. Cartels and monopolies thrive, while consumer choice dies.
With that said, internet is so darn slow and unreliable it must be messaging services. It's hard to get real work done from the Phils as a remote software developer. Thank goodness for Tmux and SSH.