Well, if it's slightly less militaristic, the Japanese would be the obvious candidates. Of course, it'd only be a sovereign entity to the same extent as the puppet state of Manchukuo, but it'd still be an improvement over the US stance towards the Philippines for the next fifty years or so. And if they get involved early enough, with the Aguinaldo reaching out to them instead of to the USA and the Americans never getting involved in the conflict, what other assets do the Americans have in the region for them to feel threatened by the expansionism of the Imperial Japanese, impose sanctions and set the chain of events in motion which would lead to Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Theatre of WW2?
Yes, on an earlier POD Japan can recognize Philippines. 1898 is too late for Japan to recognize the Philippines due to US participation.
An earlier POD can change the players of the Philippines which can change the result of what is happening the Philippines.
Aguinaldo had a choice really to whom he can reach out but it would be off character for him not to choose USA. It would be easier if it were an illustrado doing the reaching out. That would be sure to reach out to Japan, Germany or Britain in that order. Another issue in OTL is Aguinaldo did reach out to France first. But France rejected in support of Spain. So getting France help instead of USA is a possibility.
But all of these will require an earlier POD, via sending diplomats earlier to give up concessions to the great power or showing military success in winning vs Spain.
One way is for Philippine propagandists (if they have any and if they do not they need some) to be more prevalent in the United States to support independence from Spain, just like the Cuban revolutionaries did to gain US support. If you get enough sympathy towards the Philippines then the Teller Amendment might replace Cuba with or also include the Philippines as non-annex able territory.
This seems impossible unless in an earlier POD. Another issue what is the reason to send your children to USA to study when everyone wants to study in Europe back in these days in the Philippines.
The reason why Cuba propagandist went there is because of the proximity of Cuba to USA and the Monroe doctrine. Philippines does not apply to either one.
The earliest possible recognition of the USA is 1889 when Rizal wrote Filipinas dentro de cien años. But that would require Filipino leaders reading it and applying it. This would require a change in the players/leaders in Philippine revolt just to even recognize these.