I'm going to Philippines in December. Can I buy a cheap phone with internet access at the Manila airport when I arrive?

They give out a free SIM at the airport as a welcome gift. You just insert it into your phone and load it. They also sell prepaid load cards at the airport. Hope this helps!

Buy a Globe or Smart eSIM at the airport. It works with any phone. I liked Globe better.

Bring an unlocked phone and buy a local SIM at any Smart or Globe store, not at the airport (for example, after you get to the city). The staff can help with the mandatory registration, and the SIM itself costs almost nothing. After that, download the carrier's app and top up with the promos advertised in the app. Depending on the area, Smart may have better signal in some places and Globe in others, but I found it much easier to pay with a US credit card at Smart. Buying at the airport means getting overcharged. Instead, before you leave, buy a limited eSIM that works in the Philippines for your first day or two, and install Grab (a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft) and create an account. That way you won't have to take a taxi in Manila.

You need to register your SIM. You'll need proof of a Philippine address and, of course, your passport information.