It's true that wherever you go you take yourself with you. However, location does matter! It really, really does make all the difference.
I would go to the Philippines and I would carve out as much time as possible for it. If you like to ease into things (I'm the same), then give yourself a week or two just for that, and then another couple weeks for things to start picking up. I would say make it a 4 week+ trip to get the most out of it. More time, the better.
Philippines is an English speaking country which will help a lot. There are also some great forum members who live/visit there frequently that you can meet up with and get advice. That's a very big advantage also.
I would go to the Philippines and I would carve out as much time as possible for it. If you like to ease into things (I'm the same), then give yourself a week or two just for that, and then another couple weeks for things to start picking up. I would say make it a 4 week+ trip to get the most out of it. More time, the better.
Philippines is an English speaking country which will help a lot. There are also some great forum members who live/visit there frequently that you can meet up with and get advice. That's a very big advantage also.