Hi Keith
If you intend to bring her back on your trip to the Philippines you will need to anticipate spending 10 - 12 weeks there as once the visa application is submitted you can expect to wait about 9 weeks for a decision.
My fiance and myself met twice: September 2007 and then I returned in March/April for 3 weeks during which we prepared everything for the visa application. This was submitted on April 14th and we received a successful result on June 13th. Daisy came back to London with me after my 3rd visit on July 23rd. We have a wedding arranged for November 15th.
Document everything you do. Keep logs of your chats and phone calls and then your travel details. Keep receipts of hotels and restaurants and travel you do together. Take photographs.
This is in addition to the evidence of employment, financial standing, etc which you will need to provide with the application. The application may seem daunting - but as long as you have the evidence to hand it should be straightforward. And the Guidance Notes should answer many questions.
There is plenty of good advice in the forums on this and similar sites. Most people who are successful with their application admit that their success is due in large part to the advice and support received here.
Good Luck
