unlocked phone

My brother sent me a SIM card from the Philippines about a year ago. I was supposed to use it on one of our old phones from AT&T but the phones were not unlocked and were only dual bands, it did not work out. I have thought about purchasing a phone for the sim card but the prices were too expensive so I did not buy any. But right now, I am back to looking at unlocked phones online hoping that the sim card will still work. If not, then I will have to ask somebody to send me an unlocked sim when I get the phone. The tricky part is buying the phone. I have bookmarked two possibles and I am hoping either one of these will work. I still have to read more reviews about the phones before I decide to buy. I just hope it will work out this time and that I will be able to find an affordable phone so I can have something to use to communicate to my parents and relatives without paying too much or getting online every time.