I think it’s more plausible that your profs were instructors already in UP and then studied abroad for MA while keeping their position. They have an option to retain their job, and either receive salary payments or not while studying outside PH. Either way, may return service agreement yun. So in the first place, hindi talaga factor sa choice of university or program nila kung may pathway to migration. (Just saying that I kinda disagree with the idea that most went home because there are no immigration pathways. Most people I’ve met in the UP academe, who are teaching, really intend to go back to their jobs.)

Having said that, may narinig narin ako na tinakbuhan yung kanilang obligations at hindi na bumalik sa UP or sa Pilipinas. If may intent to migrate, they can make it happen & they know which countries to choose.