Before there were Airbnbs, there was the 'pensyunan'. It's a no-frills boarding house, the OG of budget accommodations in the Philippines. Perfect for students on a tight allowance or provincial employees starting a new job in the city. Expect shared bathrooms, a strict landlady, and a curfew. It's where you learn independence, how to cook instant noodles in a thousand ways, and how to sneak in late without waking anyone up.