Hi Parky,
Even if you very sure of this friend I would only send the fee for the visa because unless your friend has a good job, money in the bank and maybe even property in the Philippines, the chances are that he/she will be refused a visa.
It sounds like someone is trying to scam you, asking for all this money, especially as you say you've already given $2900 for a passport. I can't remember how much a passport costs in Phils, but I'm sure it was only a few hundreds pesos or so.
Louella & Iain.
