Why not try Oz? If your friend intends to fly to Phil just to obtain a PPL, it might be worth taking a month's holiday to Perth, finish off the PPL in 3 weeks quick smart.
We've got great weather almost all year round (we're talking Perth here, not bloody melbourne!) and CX, QF and SQ flies regularly from HK to here.
And we're looking at about AU$9K for a PPL. Should be hell cheaper than HK or around the region i imagine!