Does your partner have a valid residence visa in China? Is he a Chinese national? If it is the first time for you to go to China, original bank certificate with receipt or original passbook, updated within the month that you are applying is required.

I know that your partner will sponsor the trip, however, you are not married, I don't think the handwritten sponsorship letter together with his bank certificate, passport suffice for visa application. You can entrust a travel agency to apply for visa for you, which enhance the chance of success.

Thanks so much for your reply Mrs. Jade. My partner is also Filipino citizen, it would be our 1st time in mainland china, we've been to hk, Shenzhen and Macau back in 2008 but that's still not considered part of mainland china right?, Called up agency that offers visa assistance in manila yesterday and according to them I need to provide a written sponsorship letter, supporting documents from my partner plus my NBI clearance, Booking certificate, Hotel Voucher, Passport .
Would it be really advisable for us to go under agency?(5000 pesos processing fee for the 2 of us) because according to some forums re: China visa its easy to processed it on your own.. Provided u have LEGITIMATE PAPERS…TIA

No, Ms,Jona, your visit to Shnezhen, HK and Macao are not counted as visited China before since they are all special Administrative Regions of China. In your case, an agency is applicable if you want to secure a visa to China.