The Philippines National Bank (PNB) remittance system is excellent. Once you have set up an account with PNB you can phone up or go online and send money using your debit card and have it either paid directly into your gf’s / wife’s / fiancée’s bank account (if it is PNB account the money is there instantly if another bank, 2 days) , or if she doesn’t have one she can get a special PNB remittance card, and again can withdraw the money immediately, or finally they have an option to deliver it to her door. The service costs £5 for up to £1000 sent, £7 for £1500 going up pro rata and the exchange rate given is better than Xoom and Western Union!
Alternatively set up an account with the Nationwide Building Society get a cash card and send it to her and fund the account. This is the cheapest way as Nationwide don’t charge for overseas withdrawals and give a good exchange rate.
