I attended a conference in Baguio recently, where I was the keynote speaker on 24 October 2024. My topic was on the Internationalization of Higher Education.

I appreciate this invitation from the Philippine International Friendship and Understanding Association (PIFUA) to the 5th International Conference-Training for International Students, Student Leaders, and Advisers (ICTISSLA), which gave me the opportunity to share ideas and insights, alongside Dr. Michiko Izumitani from the Soka University in Japan and Dr. Noel Christian Moratilla from the UP Asian Center, to students and educators. The event showcased the ideas and talents of the students and put a spotlight on the exceptional international students in the Philippines.

What I want to share, however, is a deviation from the usual– the thoughts behind the scenes, since I am not inclined to write academically at the moment.

“How amazing!” (Nearing Baguio upon seeing a truck driver wearing sando and a lola walking wearing just a blouse and trousers despite the cold temperature, while I was wrapped in an oversized maroon sweater with a bonnet, inside the bus .)

“Wow! Looks like a mini airport!” (Upon seeing the Victory Liner bus terminal in Baguio.)

“Why is the taxi waiting area on the 2nd floor?” (After asking the guard, but proceeded to the taxi bay behind the terminal. Light rain started falling.)

“What an honest driver but why so glum?” (He gave the exact change!)

“Dr. Henry still looks the same after a decade. Happy to see him.”

“Thanks for being efficient but a hotel employee should emanate warmth and cheer, in my opinion. Tired perhaps?”

“Hotel’s room so cozy! Two beds and I’m alone. Yehey! But where’s the working side table?”

“Thai food is so delectable.” “I feel so at home with PIFUA. Ms. Alma is so nice! Dr. Bella’s 80? Really? I can’t believe it.”

“Does this mean I miss being an educator?”

“Gosh! I can hear the wind and rain. How are my fellow Bicolanos? Are my relatives in Albay okay?”

“Why am I thinking of this person? What the heck?”

“Tired. There’s a lot of work for a 40-minute presentation.”

Day 1

“I beat my wake up alarm by 30mins. Yay!”

“Such a beautiful sight.” (Looking at the trees, sky and clouds fr the hotel window/glass wall.)

“Presentation time. This is it!” (After I was introduced as the keynote speaker.”

“Dr. Izumitani’s presentation is amazing. Lots of stats! Research based!”

“Break time. Yay!”

“I want to go to the Baguio market but the weather’s really bad.”
“Work’s suspended in Manila. Woah!”

Day 2

“Dr. Noel’s presentation is great. So there’s an internal and external internationalization.”

“Yay! Dr. Bella and Dr. Michiko are joining me in going to the DFA! Hello there UP Baguio! Hi Oblation! Museum’s closed. Oh. :(“

“I am excited to meet Ms. Jude, Ms. Grail, Chad. Beautiful mall. Lots of space. Natural light.” (In SM Baguio)

“Ms. Jude is so nice!”

“Wow! Good shepherd products delivered to the hotel. Thank you so much, Ms. Grail, Franke.”

“Fun event! Dr. Marcon emcees so well. Mo is so energetic. Wait! What? A surprise number. Sure!”

“Still a gloomy evening. When will the typhoon end? 😦 “

Day 3

“Such beautiful weather! That’s a surprise. Thank you, Lord.”

“Lovely campus. Beautiful museum. Thank you, Dr. Andrew.”

“Yumm. The pancit and turon are so delicious.”

“Lunch time now? Still very full. Gonna skip it but have to get up to say thank you and farewell.”

“Still got time for a market visit. Hurray! Thank you, Ms. Shirley.”

“Gosh, heavy. How am I gonna carry all these by myself?” 😛

“Time to go! Bye and thank you Baguio. I hope to visit again.”

“That was the longest nap I had in months. Didn’t know I was so tired.”

“Oh my! Lots of damage from the typhoon. 😦 ” (Woke up to the local news which mainly reported about the typhoon and showed many photos and footages of the storm’s effects.)

Okay, Manila. I’m back. I miss Baguio but glad to be back.