Toomas Kask is from Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe with a population of around 1.3 million. Before moving to the Philippines, he worked as a journalist for ten years, followed by roles in project management and tourism, including work as a tour guide. He first moved to the Philippines in 2022. Coming from a quiet and compact country, life in Metro Manila initially felt overwhelming. After six months in the capital, he relocated to Bantayan Island in the central part of the country, where he spent eight months. That period marked a turning point and led to a deeper connection with the Philippines: its people, its rhythm of life, and its islands. Since then, he has lived for extended periods in various parts of the country, not as a short-term visitor but as a resident. These places include Coron, Cebu, Puerto Galera, Malapascua Island, Bohol, Siargao, Camiguin Island, and the mountain region of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Today, Toomas splits his time between Europe and the Philippines. This guide was written to share practical, experience-based advice and to help others navigate the country with fewer surprises and more confidence—much in the same way he learned to navigate it himself.

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