By Rob, 2025.
If you’re a foreigner visiting the Philippines for the first time, you’ll quickly realize that the bathroom—or as it’s commonly called here, the “Comfort Room” (CR)—is a very different experience from what you might be used to back home. Whether you’re in a modern shopping mall or a rural roadside stop, using the toilet in the Philippines can be an adventure in itself.
1. Where’s the Toilet Paper?!
One of the biggest shocks for Westerners is the absence of toilet paper in many restrooms. Instead, Filipinos use a tabo (dipper) and water for cleaning. In higher-end establishments, you might find a bidet spray, but in public CRs or local homes, expect to master the tabo technique.
Tip: Always carry a small pack of tissues or wet wipes if you’re not comfortable going full local.
2. The Tabo: Your New Best Friend
The tabo is a small plastic dipper used to pour water over yourself for cleaning. Think of it like a DIY bidet, but manual. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, many foreigners say they actually prefer it to toilet paper!
3. Toilet Seats – Optional?!
If you wander into a public CR, don’t be surprised if the toilet seat is missing. Some places don’t have them, either to prevent damage or because locals prefer to squat over the bowl. If you’re in a more rural area, you may even encounter squat toilets, which are just ceramic footrests over a hole in the ground.
Tip: If there’s no seat and you’re not comfortable squatting, a simple “hover method” might be your best bet.
4. Flushing Isn’t Always Automatic
Unlike Western toilets that flush with a lever, many CRs require manual flushing using a bucket of water. You’ll often find a large drum filled with water and a tabo for this purpose.
How to flush manually:
- Fill the tabo with water.
- Pour it forcefully into the toilet bowl to push waste down.
- Repeat if necessary.
Some modern CRs do have automatic flushing, but it’s always best to check before assuming!
5. Paying for the Privilege
Many public CRs in bus terminals, markets, and other busy areas charge a small fee (₱5-₱10) to use the toilet. This usually covers maintenance and a small amount of toilet paper—if you’re lucky!
Tip: Always carry small change when traveling, especially in rural areas.
6. Soap? Sometimes, Maybe.
Hand soap isn’t a guarantee in every CR. While malls and big restaurants usually provide it, smaller public toilets might not. Bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer just in case.
7. Gender-Neutral? Sometimes!
Some places have shared restrooms or gender-neutral CRs, particularly in local eateries or bus stops. This can be surprising if you’re used to strict male/female restroom divisions.
Final Thoughts: Go with the Flow!
Using the CR in the Philippines can be a cultural experience, but once you adjust, it’s not so bad! Many foreigners even adopt the tabo method once they return home because it feels cleaner and more hygienic.
I’ll be making a video about this soon—so stay tuned if you want to see my reaction the first time I had to figure all of this out!
What’s your wildest CR experience in the Philippines? Share it in the comments!
