hi keith.
im sammy, new to the forum, as regards to getting your philipino gf here under a fiance visa may i first suggest as i did you go back to phils and both take a holiday to nearby Thailand/singapore/ or hong kong..... as you both wont need a visa to travel there. keep your boarding stubs for the trip as its proof you flew together and prooves your relationship. this shows she has left the phils and returned and passport stamped. Only costs about £120 each for the flights. My gf and I done this on my second visit to phils, after i returned to the uk she applied for a 6months visit visa and was accepted no problem, also write many long letters from both of you keep phone cards,phone bills. money transfers, this will all help. we are now applying for a 5 year visit visa as we are not ready to marry yet, but if you apply for a marriage visa it should not be a problem, oh and dont foret if you own your home send mortgage payment copies and council tax copies. any more questions ill be happy to advise.
