From Doubt to Top 4: iBalbalan dentist inspires future board takers to find their own path

FEATURE

For Dr. Elen Kiana Tandingan Morados, who placed Top 4 in the May 2026 Dentists Licensure Examination (DLE), acing the board exam is not a one-size-fits-all process — "it is about discovering the methods that work best for you."

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Morados, a proud iBalbalan, shared her advice to future board examinees, emphasizing that success in the licensure examination does not depend on copying another person’s study process because every examinee’s journey and preparation are unique.

“Don’t try to be like me … what I mean is that whatever worked for me will not necessarily work for you as well. You do you – find the methods that suit you best, where you can absorb knowledge with the utmost efficiency,” she expressed.

Looking back on her journey, the 26-year-old recalled that she once dreamed of becoming a topnotcher, though she admitted she lacked confidence in herself. Because of this, the May 2026 DLE results came as a surprise to her since she felt she had not done enough during the examination period. She added that her aspiration to become a topnotcher began when Dr. Geevee Naganag Ventula placed Top 3 in the Nursing Licensure Examination.

“At first, I wanted the honor and privilege that came with it. But over time, my reason for wanting it changed — it stopped being about recognition for myself, and became about letting people see the work of the Lord in me,” she said.

Thriving Through Loss and Challenges

Morados shared that her six years of studying Dentistry at the University of the East became her greatest preparation for the board exam, alongside the life lessons she learned over the past 26 years.

“Everything I have learned in the past 26 years of my life have prepared me for this great challenge, because if I may say so, the board exam is not just an academic and practical test, but also an emotional, mental, and spiritual battle all happening at the same time,” she expressed.

Aside from distractions such as mobile games, anime, and K-dramas — which she jokingly recalled would prompt her boyfriend to constantly remind her to focus on studying — Morados also endured painful personal losses during her review season. Among these were her brother’s diagnosis and the deaths of two peers, including her close friend, Cpt. Dean Oyando, who died during an armed encounter in Occidental Mindoro.

Despite the emotional burden, Morados said these experiences motivated her even more to give her best in the board examination.

“It wasn’t until the last two weeks before the exam that I truly locked in and became fully focused on my reviews. To clarify, I’m not saying I would have done better had I focused earlier. I think my capacity to completely lock in and sustain that level of focus is simply limited to that amount of time,” she said.

Morados added that she was able to overcome the struggles she faced during her preparation because of the strong support system she received from her family, cousins, professors and supervisors, schoolmates and classmates, patients, her special someone, and above all, the Lord.

Why Dentistry?

According to Morados, all she ever wanted was a stable life — to have a home, a car, financial security, and the freedom to live life at her own pace.

She recalled that during Grade 12, she narrowed her career options down to three paths: pursuing medicine like her uncle, Kalinga Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ed Tandingan; entering the Philippine Military Academy like her father; or taking up Dentistry like her mother.

“The career path closest to the vision I had mentioned was dentistry. Specifically, the deciding factor was that I saw how my mom was able to attend parent meetings and events in my school. She was able to leave work when she had to. I thought about what my life would be like in the future, and I wanted the kind of life where I could be present whenever my family needed me,” she shared.

Advice to Future Board Takers

For future Dentistry board examinees, the iKalinga Top 4 stressed the importance of prayer and faith throughout the journey.

“If there is one piece of advice I would give, it would be this: talk to the Lord about the desires of your heart. Keep asking for His help boldly and shamelessly until your desires align with His. His plans for you are always better, even if you may not understand them at the moment,” she said.