In my opinion, it is much safer for you if you go on settlement route than general visitor visa as you had a very low ties in the Philippines specially you will just submit a scanned copy of employment letter. It is a matter of convincing the visa people that you really intend to go back in the Philippines before your visa expires. When I applied for fiancee visa (visa marriage) I am unemployed, no business, no savings and yet I was granted the visa. But it's all up to you, it's just how I see it.
Goodluck!
