I agree with all the above from Plunet, although I'm not totally convinced you get any sense from The Philippines Embassy in London about anything.

The reason for jumping in is just to check that you are not intending to stay for more than 30 days and are ticketed as such. Extensions beyond 30 days are easily available for a smallish fee. They are known as "Temporary Visitor (9A) Visa Waiver".

So ------ If you are intending to stay more than 30 days I strongly advise you don't waste time and money jumping through the hoops required to apply from within The UK.

(For Example for an application for a 59 day visa via the embassy in London-"Please also be guided that online visa application form should be properly notarised by a NOTARY PUBLIC and please include the business card of the Notary Public, for verification."). {Their bold not mine]

You have to pay using a "Postal Order"!!!)

The visa "waiver" can be applied for at numerous offices throughout The Philippines. It can even be done using an agent/friend/family as long as you provide passport and cash (no cards). {Theortically it can be done online, but after going through the whole process several times back in January I went to an office at Cauayan and handed over folding money. The office told me the site is down - implying it has never worked!)

If indeed you intend to stay more than 30 days and apply within The Philippines I recommend you have a ticket that shows you can leave within the 30 days permitted visa free. I haven't been asked for the same on arrival for many years, but airlines inevitably will do so for checking in for the flight to PI. An Avios booking through BA that I cancel within the 24 hour no cancellation fee window is my usual strategy.