TRAFFIC. Just be prepared for traffic. Sounds a little negative I know but no where on earth in my opinion (and that is based on quite a bit of travel over the years) is quite like Manila. I am Australian but I have been to the Philippines a dozen times over the last 4 years and I have an extended family there. From a foreigners perspective, I try not to limit myself if I am there for only a week, you can burn through it pretty quickly. Like everywhere, its relative, I am sure you could very easily get by on 25 USD per day, having a lot more is better. It is that constant trade of. budget vs. activities. I have done both - come home with a lot more cash than I needed to because I've just hung out with family and enjoyed connecting with the locals.

I realise my answer is not much help but it comes down to whether you are a spender or saver, particularly when you travel. Are you someone who stays in backpacker accommodation (when travelling for personal) and cooks a lunch in shared facilities from produce you purchased from the market. Or are you a 5 star kind of person? I am so bad at answering this question because I have been and continue to be both those travelers. So keep your cash secure, keep it to a minimum, and be sure you have access to more if/when required. Credit cards are a good strategy for me because if I spend a day in the mall in the Philippines I tend to get whatever I want without really having much cash on me. Maybe I average 4k-5k PHP in my wallet max. Though I always do withdraw 10k from the atm just to minimise atm international fees.

I am rambling. I will get back on point. "how much I might need (Pesos) to live very comfortably for a week?" you did say VERY comfortably. given no real accom or low meal cost I'd say 30k for the week but you'll easily be able to bring plenty home at that rate.

Check out this http://www.wheninmanila.com/top-5-things-to-do-in-manila-capital-of-the-philippines-must-dos-for-travelers-and-tourists/

With a particular focus on the opinions of those with comments at the bottom of the page.

"Finally, can anyone speak to getting around Manila and Antipolo both by public transit and by cab?' Uber. Uber. Uber. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though as my family in the Philippines has a full time private driver so it isn't really something I need to think about from the moment I land to the moment I depart.

Forgive my random ramblings. Super tired :-) I might paste my go to guide (I suspect maybe you'll be there for a weekend and MAY have a chance to get out of Manila?

Philippines has many beaches Here are some philippines beaches youtube travel videos El Nido Palawan HD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMT7mBbcwd8 Philippines: Cebu, Palawan & Boracay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxdrVhh3wE0 Backpacking Trip to the Philippines 2015 Cebu Oslob, Moalboal, Elnido,Coron, Boracay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llnqtmULVtw Tao Palawan Islands Paradise Expedition Philippines 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqmFrlmvUbs Taal Volcano Adventures Philippines GoPro Week 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDAuITIZn7s PHILIPPINES ROADTRIP Baguio,Banaue,(Oslob)Cebu,Bohol,Panglao,Boracay 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvQU1_SxCB8 Philippines Vacation Puerto Princessa,Honda Bay Islands,Sabang Palawan 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULQQyTOBQvM Dumaluan Beach, Panglao Island Bohol Here is the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8mzTP8c-nk Recess Week - Philippines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v31mLeHvA0 Camping At Toby And Thelma's Port Barton Palawan Philippines 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtkxINgx7W0 Adventures in the Philippines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4lEOpa0UN4 Falling in love with the Philippines 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MykaepbITFw HK Kids in Port Barton Islands and Elnido Islands Philippines 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoqShxmLZkM Philippines Vacation 2015 Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu, Boracay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI4kQPSSiDE Manila-Coron-El Nido-Puerto Princesa 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv5YDRScgk Found Ourselves Some Treasure Philippines Manila,Wawa Dam Rizal,Tagatay Taal,Puerto Princesa, Sabang,El Nido Islands 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyS6AQRLh6w Coron Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2bBVx9c5zA Cebu Siargao 2015 Cebu Tops, Kawasan, Oslob, Sinulog, Lifedance, island hopping Pandanon and Olanggo, Guyam, Cloud 9 and Yohoho/Kangbangyo in Siargao, ziplining in Don Salvador, Negros 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a20M6Ly5iLw Philippines Vacation Pico De Loro Beach Club, Manila, Makati, Eastwood City, Taal Volcano, Pagsanjan Falls, Puerto Princessa, and Elnido https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD1Bsqa0npg Cebu South Vacation - Oslob - Tumalog Falls, Moalboal Basdaku Beach - Kawasan Falls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAf9LJkj9zE

For more travel ideas visit Philippines Travel Pictures http://philippines.forumsland.com/philippines-about2-0-asc-0... Happy travelling