Certainly, the chances of getting any sort of visa are very slim before you have actually met in person. I would guess that most Brits visit the Philippines at least twice before the visa application is submitted.
I met Ruby online in April 2007. I visited in May/June, and again in July, which is when we submitted the visa application.
Yes, the chances of being turned down for a visitor visa are very high - the important thing is that the embassy must find convincing evidence to show that the visitor will leave before the visa expires. The usual criteria are that the prospective visitor must have a good job, property, family and wealth in Philippines. The other evidence is if the applicant has a good travel record. When Ruby applied, she had no job, property or finances ... she had, however, visited Australia and other Asian countries in the past - her visit visa was granted in less than a week.
