I'll be flying to MNL from LAX on PR (PAL), meeting another party arriving in MNL on a Philippine Airlines domestic flight.

The LAX-MNL flight supposedly arrives at 605am. The first flight available for the other party arrives at 755am.

Domestic flights use the south/right side of the terminal, while I've gathered that the international flights use the left/north side. I've only ever used PAL for domestic flights, and I recall it seems the two sides are separate from a passenger viewpoint. Is this correct?

In other words, is it possible for me to wait inside the terminal for the domestic arrival? Or if my long haul arrives late and/or customs/immigration takes long enough, will they be able to wait for me inside the terminal?

If not, I guess I should just have them fly in the night before and stay at a hotel.

Also, is there a waiting area outside the T2 international arrivals area? Is it chaotic like the T1 arrival area?

NAIA-2 arrivals is not as chaotic as NAIA-1, thank goodness. While the North Wing (international) and the South Wing (domestic) are separated by glass walls, the arrival areas are not beyond baggage claim. Unlike NAIA-1 and NAIA-3, NAIA-2 does not have an indoor waiting area, and all passengers have to wait outside.

There is no waiting area in the international terminal once you exit baggage claim and clear Customs. There is a Jollibee next to the PAL ticket office where you might be able to hang out while waiting: take the elevator outside the terminal to the departure area ("upstairs") and you will see it next to the ticket office in between the domestic and international terminal buildings.

I also recall seeing a couple of restaurants and cafes on the ground level outside as you walk from the arrivals area to the taxi queue.

There is a waiting area outside the NAIA2 international terminal with benches, where people waiting for passengers to arrive can standby. Unfortunately it's lacking in the creature comforts department. It's to the right immediately after exiting the terminal building.
There is a food kiosk there but I don't know if it's open that early in the morning.

I'd arrange it to whoever arrived first was waiting outside in the arrival area for the other. I'm assuming the party arriving on the domestic flight are Filipino. They will understand and happily patiently wait for you if PR103 is delayed by an hour or two. If everything goes off on time, head over to domestic and wait for them. I little waiting one way or another is quite normal in the Philippines and is unlikely to phase the locals one bit. I'm sure they will just be happy to see you whether your flight arrives on time or not.

Outside of International there is an overpriced "Starbucks style" coffee kiosk with calm tables and pleasant waiters where you can relax for a while if you like. Prices are US style and therefore silly by PI standards but the coffee is good. There are more or less comfortable seats outdoors upstairs outside departure and it is not hectic there if you just want to sit for a little while. There is no option inside the terminal for what you describe.

Also.... PR sells "Globe" prepaid SIM cards onboard during the duty free sales for $2 USD including 100 Piso prepaid "load" so buy a SIM card, plug it in your phone and you can call them the second you get off the plane.

Mabuk dan gila has some great advice, especially on the SIM card. Even if they are not available on the flight for some reason, you can buy them in a shop after you get your luggage.

And I would NOT have your friend come the night before. Staying in Manilla near the airport would be a huge hassle for her logistics-wise and totally unnecessary, especially as she is scheduled to arrive after you on the morning of of your flight.

Thanks very much for all the replies. ^

BangkokTraveler, perceptive of you to pick up on the situation in spite of my attempt at being cleverly ambiguous with noun/pronoun usage, haha!

I suppose it would be just fine if I'm the one waiting for her this time. Previously, taking other airlines, one arrival was in the afternoon & we had business in Manila anyways, and another was late at night so she grabbed a room at the airport hotel for us before my arrival. Those times were very easy to have her arrive first.

Mabuk dan gila, I laughed when you mentioned the waiting. I am indeed quite familiar with it, as I've spent several months over there in the last few years. I started calling it Filipino time, and I always ask her if a particular "appointment" is a real appointment or Filipino-time appointment, heheheh. When planning events, we try to strike a balance between "too early" and "early enough that people will arrive around the time we actually want them to"!

I have an unlocked basic Nokia phone from my last trip there, that I can use with one of those SIM cards. Great to know that I can get one onboard to be ready in advance!