Video by JoGo Wonder
What One Month in Dumaguete Cost: Rent, Power, Food
JoGo Wonder says their October in the Philippines came to 53,789 pesos in total. Rent for their studio was 17,000 pesos ($289.65), with Wi-Fi and water included, and power was 7,471 pesos. They say the month was cheap partly because they were sick and had put extra purchases into the month before.
What it cost them
As stated in the video, November 2025. Prices change; these are theirs.
| Rent, studio apartmentWi-Fi and water included | 17,000 pesos ($289.65) | ▶ 7:48 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel for the motorbikefor the whole month | 570 pesos ($9.71) | ▶ 9:29 |
| Powerthe dollar figure is unclear in the captions | 7,471 pesos | ▶ 12:02 |
| Groceriesthe dollar figure is unclear in the captions | 6,463 pesos | ▶ 15:39 |
| Razor blades (hygiene and cleaning)the dollar figure is unclear in the captions | 420 pesos | ▶ 16:10 |
| Restaurants, two people | 4,335 pesos ($73.86) | ▶ 17:12 |
| Gifts and tipsthe dollar figure is unclear in the captions | 16,700 pesos | ▶ 19:17 |
| Clothes, two shirtsthe dollar figure is unclear in the captions | 600 pesos | ▶ 19:48 |
| Laundry, two loads115 pesos per load | 230 pesos ($3.92) | ▶ 20:49 |
| Immigrationtheir estimate | about 3,200 pesos every other month | ▶ 21:51 |
| Month's totalthe dollar figure is unclear in the captions | 53,789 pesos | ▶ 22:21 |
Their situation
- Place
- Dumaguete, Philippines ▶ 18:15
- Month
- October, their sixth full month in the Philippines
- Housing
- Studio apartment with a swimming pool ▶ 5:45
- Included in rent
- Wi-Fi and water ▶ 13:34
- Household
- Two people: the creator and their Filipina partner ▶ 17:12
- Exchange rate
- Average for the month; at one point about 59 pesos to one US dollar ▶ 7:17
Questions this video answers
How much did a month in the Philippines cost them?
JoGo Wonder says their October total was 53,789 pesos. They admit that they put extra purchases into the previous month on purpose so this month would look better. ▶ 22:21
How much was their rent in the Philippines?
They say their studio apartment cost 17,000 pesos, which came to $289.65 at that month's average exchange rate. ▶ 7:48
Did they pay for phone load or Wi-Fi?
No. They say neither of them bought phone load all month. Wi-Fi and water are included in their rent, and they keep in touch with family over Facebook Messenger. ▶ 13:34
How high was their power bill?
Power was 7,471 pesos, their most expensive month yet. They say they had been at home a lot, and that the bill has moved between five thousand and this amount. ▶ 12:02
How much did they spend on eating out?
They say restaurants for two people came to 4,335 pesos, or $73.86, for October, and that they had not really travelled or ventured out because he was sick. ▶ 17:12
The moments, in order
Press ▶ to play the video from that second.
- ▶ 3:40
They log every expense in a Google spreadsheet. Because they take out cash in pesos from ATMs and only grocery stores and some restaurants give receipts, most spending has to be tracked from the cash left in the wallet.
- ▶ 7:48
Rent for their studio apartment is 17,000 pesos. At that month's average exchange rate this came to $289.65.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 12:02
Power was their most expensive month yet at 7,471 pesos (the USD figure is unclear in the captions). They had been at home a lot, and they say the bill has moved between five thousand and this amount.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 13:34
Neither of them bought phone load all month. Wi-Fi and water are included in the 17,000-peso rent, and they keep in touch with family over Facebook Messenger on Wi-Fi.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 15:39
Groceries came to 6,463 pesos (the USD figure is unclear in the captions). They say having a Filipina partner saves money because she knows where to shop, and they ate less while sick.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 17:12
Restaurants for two people cost 4,335 pesos, or $73.86, for the month. They note that they had not really travelled or ventured out because he was sick.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 19:17
Their gifts-and-tips category came to 16,700 pesos, which they call not bad. The USD figure is unclear in the captions.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 21:51
They think immigration costs about 3,200 pesos every other month. They log it in the month they pay it rather than spreading it across months.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 22:21
The month's total was 53,789 pesos (the USD figure is unclear in the captions). They admit that they put extra purchases into the previous month on purpose so this one would look better.
as stated, November 2025
- ▶ 24:26
They are waiting for the motorbike's registration (CR) before taking ferries. A sales receipt might get them on board once, but they may not be so lucky on the way back.
as stated, November 2025
Worth knowing before you go
- ▶ 24:26
They are waiting for the motorbike's registration (CR) before taking ferries. A sales receipt might get them on board once, but they may not be so lucky on the way back.
as stated, November 2025
This is their experience, retold in our words, and not medical, insurance or financial advice.