Sending text messages from another country to the Philippines might get expensive. I don't know how much it costs, though. But why pay when you can send messages for free? Just don't send "very sensitive" information through this service. Of course, that goes without saying.


Introducing, Chikka! Short for Chikka Text Messenger, this website and app lets you send text messages to the Philippines. I have been using this for years :D

Features
Who can use it
When you are in:
• (+63)     Philippines
• (+61)     Australia
• (+973)   Bahrain
• (+55)     Brazil
• (+1)       Canada
• (+86)     China
• (+33)     France
• (+30)     Greece
• (+1)       Guam
• (+852)   Hong Kong
• (+91)     India
• (+39)     Italy
• (+964)   Iraq
• (+353)   Ireland
• (+962)   Jordan
• (+7)       Kazakhstan
• (+965)   Kuwait
• (+961)   Lebanon
• (+853)   Macau
• (+60)     Malaysia
• (+52)     Mexico
• (+64)     New Zealand
• (+234)   Nigeria
• (+47)     Norway
• (+968)   Oman
• (+92)     Pakistan
• (+974)   Qatar
• (+966)   Saudi Arabia
• (+65)     Singapore
• (+82)     South Korea
• (+850)   North Korea
• (+34)     Spain
• (+46)     Sweden
• (+886)   Taiwan
• (+66)     Thailand
• (+971)   United Arab Emirates
• (+44)     United Kingdom
• (+1)       United States of America
• (+58)     Venezuela
• (+84)     Vietnam

Limits
• 30 messages to each recipient daily
• as many recipients as you want daily
• When connected to the internet, a registered user is able to send as many as 450 characters per message
• When not connected to the internet, a registered user is able to send only 39 characters per message

Sending messages from Chikka
• A registered user can send messages when both online and offline.
• A registered user can send messages when offline just as long as you have the SIM card you registered with activated on your device.
• A registered user can send messages to both registered (registered users on Chikka) and non-registered mobile users (owns a valid SIM card).
• When a registered user reaches the daily limit of sent texts to a specific mobile number, the registered user will be notified that his/her message is not sent. The supposed-to-be receiver will receive a notification that the sender has reached the limit and will be able to refill his/her credits if the he/she will reply a text message to the registered user's Chikka number. If this case happens, the receiver will be charged some amount, and the registered user will be able to send text messages to the specific receiver again for the day.

Sending messages from a SIM card to a registered user on Chikka
• The sender will be charged an amount per message.
• If the sender is a prepaid subscriber to a network, he/she will be able to send the message if there is enough amount on his SIM card.
• If the sender is a postpaid subscriber to a network, he/she will be able to send the message as long as the network permits. Normally, the amount will be charged on the sender's subscription.

Receiving messages from a registered Chikka user
• Anyone with a valid SIM card can receive messages sent from Chikka. If this is the first message the recipient received from a specific registered user, he/she will be given enough information concerning the event and an option to either block the user or not.
• After the first time, he/she will receive the sent message as is without any note from Chikka.
• A non-registered recipient will receive messages through his SIM card.
• A registered recipient will receive messages both through his SIM card and through the Chikka Messenger.

Receiving messages from a non-registered sender
• The receiver will receive notifications through both his/her SIM card and his/her Chikka Text Messenger app.
• The receiver will not be charged any amount.

How to use
You can use these apps they have set up to enjoy the services of Chikka Text Messenger:
• Chikka Text Messenger Android App
• Chikka Text Messenger iOS App
• Chikka Text Messenger Website

I am not sure if these chikka and chikkalite apps on Facebook are officially owned and managed by Chikka. Please, use these Facebook apps on your own risk.
If someone could verify, please, tell us through the comments. Thank you!

Tips
• Send texts through Chikka and warn your receiver not to reply directly to the number he/she receives your messages from. Instead, tell him/her to send text messages to your mobile phone number.
• Warn your receiver ahead of the possibility of you using Chikka Text Messenger.
• Make your receiver save the Chikka number he/she receives your messages from. Some phones will make two different threads for your mobile phone number and for your Chikka number, but some will not.
• Save some credit daily for your specific receivers in order to still be able to send text messages with emergency or very important information.
• Send a text message to your parents, relatives, and/or friends asking for some load credits :D

If there are wrong information gathered here, lacking information, etc., please, contact us through comments.

God bless!