Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Sama (sama.com.ph), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

2. What Sama Is

Sama is a technology marketplace that connects independent outdoor trip organizers with participants ("joiners") in the Philippines. Sama does not organize, operate, guide, or take responsibility for any trip listed on the platform. All trips are independently organized and operated by third-party organizers.

3. User Accounts

• •You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.
• •You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• •You agree to provide accurate and complete information when registering.
• •You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.

4. Organizer Accounts

• •Organizers must apply and be approved by Sama before listing trips.
• •Organizers are independent operators and are solely responsible for their trips, participants, safety, permits, and compliance with applicable laws.
• •Organizers must hold all required permits (DENR, LGU, etc.) for restricted trails and sites.
• •Sama reserves the right to suspend or remove any organizer who violates platform policies.

5. Booking and Payments

• •Bookings are made directly through the platform.
• •Payments are processed via PayMongo (GCash and QR Ph).
• •Sama charges a platform commission on each booking as agreed with the organizer.
• •No hidden fees are charged to participants — the price shown is the price you pay.
• •Sama absorbs all payment processing fees on behalf of organizers.
• •Advanced difficulty trips require manual review and approval by the organizer before your booking is confirmed.

6. Cancellation and Refunds

Refunds are processed based on the cancellation policy selected by the trip organizer. Most refunds are automatic; QR Ph payments are refunded manually (see Refund processing below). The policy that applies to your booking is shown on the trip page before you book and in your booking confirmation email.

Cancellation by participant

Flexible Policy

• •7 or more days before trip: Full refund
• •3 to 7 days before trip: 50% refund
• •Less than 3 days before trip: No refund

Moderate Policy

• •14 or more days before trip: Full refund
• •7 to 14 days before trip: 50% refund
• •Less than 7 days before trip: No refund

Strict Policy

• •30 or more days before trip: Full refund
• •7 to 30 days before trip: 50% refund
• •Less than 7 days before trip: No refund

What the refund percentage applies to

Refund percentages apply to the amount you actually paid through Sama, not the full trip price. If you paid only a downpayment, your refund is calculated as a percentage of that downpayment. If you also paid your balance online through Sama, the refund is calculated on the total you paid online. Any amount paid in cash directly to the organizer is arranged and refunded with the organizer directly and is not processed through Sama.

Cancellation by organizer

If the organizer cancels a trip, all participants receive a full refund of the amount they paid through Sama, regardless of timing or policy.

Refund processing

Refunds are returned to the original payment method. GCash refunds typically reflect within 24 hours. QR Ph payments cannot be refunded automatically and will be processed manually. Our team will contact you at hello@sama.com.ph within 3 to 5 business days to arrange the refund.

Contact

For refund questions, email hello@sama.com.ph.

7. Waivers and Assumption of Risk

• •All participants must agree to the organizer's trip waiver before booking is confirmed.
• •Participants acknowledge the inherent risks of outdoor activities including physical injury, accidents, and unpredictable weather.
• •By booking a trip, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation.
• •Sama is not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from participation in any trip listed on the platform.

8. Participant Responsibilities

• •You are responsible for ensuring you are physically fit to participate in any trip you book.
• •You must disclose relevant medical conditions to the organizer. This information is collected through the booking process and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
• •You are responsible for bringing appropriate gear and following organizer instructions.
• •If booking on behalf of others, you confirm that all participants are aware of and agree to the trip risks and cancellation policy.
• •All participants must be at least 18 years old. If you book on behalf of others, you confirm that every participant in the booking is 18 or older. Sama does not permit minors to participate in trips booked through the platform.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• •Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information.
• •Impersonate any person or organization.
• •Use the platform for any unlawful purpose.
• •Initiate a booking through Sama and then deceptively move that specific transaction off-platform to avoid platform fees. (Organizers are free to accept direct bookings made independently of Sama; this provision addresses only bad-faith circumvention of a booking begun on the platform.)
• •Harass, threaten, or harm other users or organizers.
• •Attempt to book trips with false medical or fitness information.

10. Prohibited Uses

Sama is exclusively for legitimate, safe outdoor adventure trips and experiences. Organizers may not list, offer, or use the platform for any of the following:

• •Any illegal activity, goods, or services under Philippine law.
• •Weapons, firearms, explosives, drugs, or regulated or controlled substances.
• •Adult content or sexual services.
• •Gambling or games of chance.
• •Trips or activities that are unsafe, misrepresented, or that the organizer is not qualified or equipped to run safely.
• •Any activity that endangers participants, host communities, or the environment.
• •Any attempt to use the platform to process payments unrelated to a genuine outdoor trip listed on Sama.

Sama reviews every organizer before they are approved and reserves the right to remove any listing or organizer that violates these terms. Organizers are responsible for ensuring their trips comply with all applicable laws, permits, and safety standards.

11. Slot Transfers

An organizer may transfer a confirmed single-slot booking to a replacement participant before the trip. The replacement must submit their own details and sign the waiver through a personal link before the trip. Any payment between the original participant and the replacement is arranged privately between them; Sama does not process any payment or refund for the transfer itself. If the trip is later cancelled by the organizer, Sama refunds the original payer (the person who paid Sama), in accordance with the cancellation terms above; any settlement between the original participant and the replacement remains private between them. A transferred booking cannot be voluntarily cancelled for a refund.

12. Intellectual Property

All content on Sama — including the platform design, logo, and features — is owned by Paul Zion Acoba. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without written permission.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Philippine law, Sama and its operators shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform or participation in any trip listed on it.

14. Changes to Terms

Sama reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. Material changes will be communicated via email.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact: hello@sama.com.ph