The risks involved in a separate ticket connection in Manila could leave you in a seriously expensive situation should one of the flights be delayed. Neither airline would take responsibility. That being said, many of us have done it on numerous occasions and it is cheaper.
Use websites such as www.kayak.co.uk to try various combinations of dates and departure airports. Flights to the Far East are generally cheapest 4-6 months out, but sometimes become heavily discounted 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
Anything that is offered by an agent should be available online as well if you search for it. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
