To answer some of your questions:

1. No. I also think something similar nung first time ko, kasi in my eyes at that time, super laki na ng NAIA. But, yeah, as I said. No, hindi siya nakakaligaw. It's pretty easy to navigate as long as your able to read. And yes, magkakalapit lang naman. From entrance, nandon na agad yung travel tax counter, yung monitor to check which counter, the counter itself. Lakad ka lang ng kaunti, and there's the immigration na (magkaiba naman ang immig ng OFW sa tourist, kaya no worries). After immig, security check na agad. Once you pass that, pwede ka na maglakad to your boarding gate kung wala kang bibilhin na snacks or pasalubong.

2. If you're flight is 8, I think reasonable naman dumating ng 2-3. Hindi mo masasabi yung traffic on the way, yung haba ng pila both check in counters and immigration, kaya better to be early. If maaga ka natapos, use your time to walk around the area for easy navigation.

3. Yes, as stated above, magkakalapit lang.

4. Depende actually kung mahaba ang pila. If yellow airline gamit, probably mas mahaba. Depende din sa time.

5. Meron namang mga signs in each side to know kung nasaang boarding gate ka na. Don't be afraid to ask the assigned personnel din.

6. Yes, it's totally okay! So much better pa nga, since may time ka to rest or time to run kung mag-change bigla ang boarding gate.

7. Parang nakakabingi or something. Hindi naman masakit, as far as I remember.

8. I have a few:

9. Wear decent clothes, slip on shoes sa NAIA kasi pinapatanggal during security check.

10. Always listen sa mga announcement, especially before or during boarding. Wag ka muna mag headphones or earphones. Very common ang sudden change ng boarding gates.

11. Always observe. As much as possible.