Calling the Philippines or anywhere else has gotten much easier since I started calling there over 5 years ago.  The preferred method being used by many expats is computer to computer using Yahoo Messenger which is free.  Others use Skype.  

What I used was AT&T International some 5 years ago.  It was pretty cheap.  Never had a cell phone until I got into the Philippines.  I see several people using Yahoo Messenger when I go into an internet cafe over here.

Here are links to international calling codes and calling method options:  Calling Codes       Calling Options

How to call cell phones from landlines in the US:   Calling Cell Phones

A good thing about Yahoo Messenger (especially beta 10) is the video along with the call.  Your internet connection and speed has a lot to do with video freezing and call quality, but you can always use text messaging if all else fails.   Keep in mind that brownouts occur in the Philippines quite frequently.  Since not much affects US power and internet quality, you can guess and almost always be right that the problem is in the Philippines.  Just wait for awhile.  Leave a message and your YM sounds turned on so that you can hear them log back in.

A drawback in using Yahoo Messenger is that your ID can be obtained easily by spammers who search Filipina dating sites searching for ID's.  Often that ID is the same for Yahoo Messenger, so they try and contact you to let them become a chat mate of yours.  Also an email address has the same ID, so it is easy to assume the email is that ID at yahoo.com.  They can't do much except take up some of your time getting rid of them, but it is annoying.  ENJOY!