A pleasant morning to our honored guests, consultants, residents, support staff, family, and friends.

I was a second-year high school student when Dr. Ryan brought me here. It was a Friday conference in which two residents presented their clinical cases to the consultants. I can still remember Dr. Georgia asking them about periapical radiographs. I was amazed by what I saw and decided to get good grades in high school, pursue dentistry, and become a pediatric dentist. I faced many struggles during college and before taking the board exam, but whenever I wanted to give up, I reminded myself that I truly wanted to become a pediatric dentist. That's why coming to PDCP was a dream come true for me.

My residency training was filled with happiness, learning, challenges, fulfillment, heartbreaks, breakdowns, and friendships. Fridays became my least favorite day of the week; there were sleepless nights, tiring days, and countless journals and lectures. This program was never easy for me, and there were times when I wanted to give up on my dream of becoming a pediatric dentist. I recall what Dr. Liza told me: 'Know your purpose in life, AF.' Looking back on the months I spent here, it was my patients who drew me back and kept me in the training. They answered all my questions about 'why I am still here?'. It's because of my patients—children with special needs and with medical conditions. My patients who always say, 'Thank you, Tita Doc AF', and the parents who appreciated all my care for their children became my strength throughout this training. I realized that it's no longer just my dream but my passion and willingness to serve my patients that drive me to finish this program.

Each and every one of you in this room has been a blessing to me and has shown me that I am not alone on this journey. That's why I would like to thank each one of you for believing in me, not giving up on me, and always pushing me to become a better person.

I would like to thank my consultants, Dr. Georgia, Dr. Liza, and Dr. Nina, for the motherly love you have given me. I am grateful to Dr. Daisy for ensuring that every procedure is executed with precision. Thank you to Dr. Fina for guiding me with behavioral management and supporting me during every clinical conference. To my superhero in extractions, Dr. Jasper. To Dr. Mia, who treated me as if I were her younger sister. To Dr. Gia, who always says, 'Konti na lang, kaya mo yan, big girl ka na.' And to Dr. Aileen, who has been my mentor and angel.

Consultants, thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom and for being patient with me throughout the program. I will never forget our goal in treating our patients: 'Treat your patient as a whole.'

To the support staff, who are like family and have made me feel at home, thank you for treating me as a family member! To my mothers—Mother Lorna, Mother Jane, Papsi Lando, Kuya Ian, and Ate Neris and Ate Dahl — thank you for your support. Ate Mery, thank you for your kind words and for accompanying me at the center, especially during late nights. And to Ate or Mama Tin, thank you for always believing in me, for the push, for the hugs, and for the encouragement that helped me finish this program.

To my juniors, Charie, Kochi, Disha, and Celine, who have been my cheerleaders, thank you for your assistance, companionship, and uplifting presence, especially during late-night stays at the center.

To my seniors, Dr. Ajae and Dr. Karlo, your guidance and mentorship were especially helpful during the first months of my training.

To Dr. Shayne, my veshy, you have been with me through my toughest times. And soon, we will achieve our veshy goals.

To Dr. Bea and Dr. Mark, thank you for your unwavering encouragement.

To my batchmate, Patricia, my chief and Ate, thank you for your patience, for guiding me, and for saving me every time I was struggling. I'll be forever grateful to you. From counting the 24 months to finally reaching graduation, your support has been invaluable.

Doctor Ryan and Doctor Mae, thank you for inspiring me to take this training.

To my parents, Papa and Mama, thank you for your sacrifices and patience that helped me achieve my dream of becoming a doctor. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers, especially every Friday morning.

To my siblings, Ate, Kuya, and Bunso, thank you for your encouragement and for being my support system.

To my nephews and nieces, you are one of the reasons I took up this training. Thank you for inspiring me and for always making Tita AF happy.

To my best friend, Jem, I will always be grateful for the kind words, support, and love you have given me.

And lastly, to God, for giving me my purpose in life.

Have a blessed morning. Thank you."

Whenever we stand here, we usually begin with, 'Good morning, consultants and co-residents! Today, I will be presenting a journal entitled... or a case presentation...' But today, I would like to greet our honored guests, our dear consultants, residents, and staff with a very good morning as I deliver my response as a graduate of the AEPD.

Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam. Friday morning, dito sa conference room, walang nginig, at walang scheduled diarrhea na nagsisimula ng Thursday night.

When I received an email from Ate Mery with a graduation invitation attached, I had to re-read the content three times. I had to make sure she was really sending the email to me. I even asked her, 'Ate Mery? Ako ba talaga? Sa akin ba ito?' And she confirmed, saying, 'Doc, naka-address yan mismo sa pangalan mo… inviting you to YOUR graduation.' The last time I said this line was when I finished dentistry, but I am still so excited to say, 'Natatapos rin pala.'

There's so much to be said, but today I'll take this opportunity to thank the people who made this journey possible.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my then-fiancé and now beloved husband, Zel, who stands by my side today. His unwavering support has been crucial to my professional growth in pediatric dentistry. TMI, but he actually graciously agreed to delay our wedding so I could pursue post-graduate training here, for which I will forever be profoundly thankful.

Secondly, to my parents and siblings. Though they are miles away, I want to express my deepest appreciation for their steadfast support in every way possible. From the start, they have been my greatest cheerleaders, offering both encouragement and the means to chase my dreams. Thank you, Mama, Daddy, Ate, and Alex, for always believing in me.

To our consultants, Dr. Fina, Dr. Georgia, Dr. Liza, Dr. Gia, Dr. Noel, Dr. Jasper, Dr. Ajae, Dr. Aileen, Dr. Nina, Dr. Daisy, Dr. Mia, Dr. Chibelle, and Dr. Cristina, thank you for being a wellspring of wisdom, knowledge, and expertise. Your guidance has been instrumental in shaping my learning experience. Completing this program has been exceptionally fulfilling, as the skills and insights you imparted have greatly advanced my capabilities as a dental professional, especially in pediatric dentistry.

To my junior residents, Dr. Shayne, Dr. Mark, and Dr. Bea: your presence was the daily motivation I needed to rise and face each day. You have been like siblings to me, making this residency not only bearable but truly memorable. I am so grateful for the shared experiences and unwavering encouragement you provided.

Drs. Karlo and Ajae, my seniors, my mentors, my dear friends, thank you for your never-ending guidance and support. You have always ensured that we, your juniors, are more than just okay. Your dedication to our well-being, both professionally and personally, has been invaluable. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge and experiences, and for always being there to guide us.

To my batchmate, Dr. AF, how many times did we say 'AYOKO NA!!'? Hindi ko na alam at hindi ko na nabilang. But look at us now. We are FINALLY here. I cannot put into words how challenging this journey was, but we pulled through. I am so proud of us. We did it.

To the support staff, Ate Tin, Ate Dahl, Ate Mery, Mang Lando, Kuya Ian, Mother Jane, Mother Lorns, Ate Neris, maraming salamat sa gabay at tiyaga. Lalo na sayo, Ate Tin. Maraming salamat sa pag-intindi sa tigas ng ulo namin, lalo na ako, sa mga reklamo, sa pakikinig sa pagdaing dahil sa pagod, sa pagtatago at pagpupunas ng luha, at sa patuloy na pagsabi ng, 'Konti na lang, tapusin mo yan.' Mahal ka namin.

I would like to take this time to also acknowledge the people behind my residency life: Kai, my clinic manager and secretary, for taking care of my clinic while I was busy with reports and requirements. She took on all my frustrations and exhaustion. Luckily, hindi naman po siya nag-resign at hanggang ngayon, siya pa rin ang nag-aalaga sa clinic ko. Maraming salamat. My associate dentists, Dr. Lexine, Dr. Mia, and Dr. Gianne, for treating our patients and the clinic as if they were their own. They have consistently ensured that every patient receives the best treatment possible, and their commitment to maintaining the clinic's standards has been exceptional. Their hard work and support have been crucial in allowing me to focus on my residency and professional growth, and for that, I am truly thankful.

It’s remarkable to reflect on how we managed to make the most of our training despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. We were the batch of residents who adapted to a blend of online and in-person learning, navigating tech issues, mastering the donning and doffing of PPEs, and even coping with reduced patient volumes and shifting protocols. We faced uncertainties around infection control, adjustments to our clinical rotations, and the emotional toll of working through a global health crisis.

Amid these difficulties, PDC went above and beyond to uphold high educational standards and ensure our experience was as seamless and effective as possible. Their commitment to delivering exceptional training while adapting to our new realities was truly commendable. Thank you, PDC, for enabling us to thrive and grow as professionals during those challenging times.

The program offers much more than just addressing the dental needs of children and those with special needs; it fosters the personal qualities essential for truly earning our certificates. It challenges us to develop beyond technical skills, nurturing resilience, compassion, and professionalism necessary to excel in our field. Throughout my time here, the power of perseverance, the strength in teamwork, and the importance of staying curious and open to learning were greatly emphasized.

As we move forward, we hold the potential to make a difference in the country. Let us remember to pursue our dreams with passion and dedication, knowing that we are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Though words may fall short of expressing my full appreciation, I want to conclude with a heartfelt thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, guidance, and friendship. Here's to a future filled with shared successes and continued growth.