In those situations I do as Steve.r does and buy my stuff in Phils.
I have found that duty free shop at Manila to be a real rip-off. I bought loads of chocolate and found it cheaper at the mall.
In fact I have not found much in the Manila duty free that is cheaper than LHR or HK or even Phils shopping mall.
You can carry on loads of Duty free.
That's a fair point I have noticed it getting more expensive recently, I still find it more convenient to buy at that end, I don't smoke but I usually buy a block of Marlboro for the guys as well and I'm fairly sure that's cheaper over there?