I have an entire post dedicated to tips for your first trip to the Philippines, here.
Language: There are two official languages of the Philippines, the nation’s official language Filipino (Tagalog) and English.
One benefit to traveling to the Philippines is English is widely spoken there. Hence, the difficulty of breaking through language barriers isn’t much of an issue.
Currency: The currency in the Philippines is the Philippine peso.
Credit Cards & ATMs: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted credit cards in the Philippines. You won’t have the best luck with Discover or Citibank, as they’re not as readily accepted in most establishments.
ATMs can be hard to come by, too. You’ll find them in the major city centers like Cebu City. Still, in places like Oslob & El Nido, there may be only one or two available for use (and sometimes they’re out of cash).
Your best bet is to exchange some foreign currency from your bank before heading to the Philippines. You can also use the airport ATMs or currency exchange centers, but they will be significantly more expensive.
Electricity & Plugs: For the Philippines, there are three associated plug types, A, B, and C. The Philippines operates on a 220V supply voltage and 60Hz. If coming from the United States, you will need to purchase a step-down power converter.
Safety: Overall, the Philippines is safer or just as safe to travel to as any other Southeast Asian country. You’ll need to avoid high-risk areas like Mindanao, for example. But frequent tourist places like Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, and Manila are relatively safe.