I was born in Baguio and spent my perfect childhood there.

I miss Baguio everytime and I want to be able to retire there someday. Baguio feels new everytime I go. The cool wind beckons me everytime that I am “home”.

The last time I was there was last year and I noticed that there were many Korean establishments around. My 2 cents on this matter is that, the local government there in Baguio should regulate how businesses and buildings there are put up. It is not just the Koreans. Actually nga, I am NOT thankful that an SM-Baguio sprouted in that area. Nawawala ang greenery because the local government allows these kinds of things put up without regard to the environment. As with Koreans, I have nothing against them. Of course I wish that in a place as small as Baguio, I don’t want to see that there are more foreigners than pinoys having better lives. Yun lang yun.

I hope that there will be stricter REGULATIONS to keep Baguio’s environment preserved. I believe that things should not be all about money, may investors ka nga, sira naman ang environment mo. What do you call that? Hindi ba that we are “pimping” ourselves to these investors (Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, etc.) just for them to put in money for businesses in Baguio, then we see our environment destroyed? There should be stricter REGULATIONS on where to build and how to build the business. Hindi dapat kahit saan. There should be “sacred” places in Baguio.

Kaya nga I was afraid that Burnham will be lost forever, buti nalang hindi. Thanks to you Lisa and the residents of Baguio for opposing that move to privatize that “sacred” ground.

May mga lands pa naman farther than the city center that they can develop so Baguio will really grow and progress di ba?

Foreigners are not allowed to own land or house or business in their own name here, even though they pay 100% for it with hard earned money they bought with them. How would Filipino’s like to pay for a house and land they never have title to and never legally own? Talk about stupidity in the laws!! It’s not easy being a foreigner here.

The only answer for Philippine economic salvation is Foreign immigration and exports and investment. That’s what Australia realized 20 years ago when they opened their door to Asians. What else is going to inject money into the Philippine economy, it’s not going to be through more rice production, lets be realistic!!

As far as Korean students in Baguio are concerned, it’s a win win situation for Baguio City and hats off to smart future planning by politicians in the past. Sooner or later all the Philippine’s will loose most land to foreigners, its inevitable. It happens in every country. This is a small planet we all live on, and get over it.

People in Australia used to complain about the influx of Asians back in the late eighties in a big way. Nowadays nobody cares they are there and as a result real estate in Sydney is among the highest priced in the world and the Universities are booming with business.

Imagine how many Filipino’s can become richer by selling their own land here to foreigners that will pay 3 times more than its really worth. In turn they can afford a bigger and better house and everyone is happy.

If you think Koreans are getting cheap education in Baguio and should pay more, you are xenophobic and probably just jealous. We should be encouraging overseas people to study here not discouraging them. Let the demand attract better quality teachers and increase the overall standard of Universities in Baguio is what I say. Australian Universities hold very high numbers of foreign Asian students and why?? Because the standard of education is high. Lets do the same here in Baguio. Could not the Philippines strive to become better exporters of higher Education? Duh.

There is a huge market for budget priced education throughout Asia. Yes budget priced!! not expensively priced!!. Koreans and any other foreigners that are seen by Filipino culture as rich people, are not all rich, and do not print their own money. These families work their hands to the bone to be able to educate their children so they can have a better life.

Universities in Baguio need careful management now by ensuring greed does not overcome them in the future by putting up fees more and more. The government should subsidize them to avoid this from happening. Remember theres always India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia that have Universities too. It’s affordable for foreign students to come here and that’s exactly why they come here.

I so agree with you and wish they would organize and demand better rates. You see, the Filipino has been systematically rendered helpless in his own land, not by foreigners necessarily, but by terrible governance and apathetic citizens who are made to feel thankful that they are lucky to even be employed in the first place.

It now has become a chicken before the egg issue — Lousy pay does not attract the best teachers. Many school owners feel the teachers who approach them are not so great so they offer everyone a lousy rate.

It’s such a waste for Baguio folk, who enjoy the distinct advantage of working in a place that is so attractive to Koreans because of the weather, not to take advantage of this edge.

take for example the asians coming here in new zealand to study. they pay international rates which is 3 times more expensive than local rates. i am an international student in new zealand and i have to pay so much more than any of the local students here. so expecting higher rate from koreans in baguio is not at all unfair because they’re supposed to. besides government teachers at home have security of employment while english tutors to koreans are mostly on a contractual basis. it is fair and just that they be paid more. it’s so sad to think that teachers/tutors in baguio are being paid a mere $1/hour when english teachers in korea are being paid an average of $2,000 per month plus accommodation. the korean students pay more, on an hourly rate, in korea to have a foreign teacher as compared to going to the phils, and having the bonus to do what they couldn’t freely do at home.

Im a freelance esl english online teacher . My students are from Korea. I’ve read a letter from certain Gracie. She was asking about schools or institutions that cater English Programs in Baguio City. Can I ask her email address?
Thank you very much Ms. Lisa.

Thanks for the article, it really opened our minds (pinabasa ko sa mga kapwa Filipino) of the current situation in Baguio regarding Koreans. I am a alumnus of Easter College. My experience regarding a Korean, is when a Korean tried to hit (ligawan) my gf, of course (ang kay Pedro, kay Pedro, ang kay Juan kay Juan), I gave what the Korean deserve, and guessed what, he back down, and asked for an apology and ask to be friends, of course, we Filipinos are forgiving and friendly, I accept his apology and made friends with him but reiterated to him that he should not do it again to anyone. Then I realized, if they will be given a lesson, they will obey and follow the rules. Give what they deserve.
Anyway, I’ll be coming back to Baguio next week for my mom’s brithday and a 2 week vacation, working abroad gives a lot of stress. Again, let’s restore and preserve the beauty of Baguio.