If you are somewhere where the water is not fit to drink, then remember not to use it for cleaning your teeth either.
Fortunately, most of the major cities in the Philippines are OK.
In the rural areas, or if in doubt, I would stick to bottled water.

I never have anything with ice in it, having seen the way it is produced / handled.

Even with all the care, you can still get one of the many stomach bugs when in a foreign country, and so I would suggest taking a packet of Immodium or similar, with you.

I concur about the usual jabs, and maleria is only reckoned to be a problem in Palawan and some of the more remote areas (so they say).


One thing I would suggest taking is a stack of postcards of your town and country, as all the locals will be interested to see it. You can give them away, and please lots of people.

Also, if you take pictures of everyones children, have them processed while you are there, and give the parents the pictures, you will find that too is appreciated.