‘Thank you for shining a light on achievements like this’: Top 4 Dentist Morados credits Kalinga for her success

FEATURE

Tabuk City, Kalinga – For many board topnotchers, public recognition is an opportunity to talk about hard work, sacrifices, and the long journey toward success.

But when Dr. Elen Kiana Tandingan Morados, who placed Top 4 nationwide in the May 2026 Dentists Licensure Examination, stood before provincial government employees during a recognition ceremony on June 8, she chose to speak about something else—gratitude.

Fresh from earning one of the highest rankings in the country, the proud iBalbalan used the occasion not to highlight her achievement but to thank the people and province that helped shape her journey.

The Provincial Government of Kalinga honored Morados during its regular flag-raising ceremony, where she received a cash incentive alongside two other iKalinga board topnotchers in recognition of bringing pride and honor to the province.

Despite the recognition, Morados kept her message simple.

She began by sharing a story from a Korean drama about a successful businessman who wanted to deliver the best speech during his birthday celebration as a way of thanking the people who helped build his company.

According to Morados, the businessman sought advice from the world's best speaker and received an unexpected answer.

“So there was this K-drama of a successful businessman, matanda na siya, and his business was flourishing. And it was gonna be his birthday soon, so he was gonna make a big celebration sa hotel and he invited all of his employees and all the people he has work with to pay them for their hard work. To do that, he wanted to give the best speech of all time. As a big thanks for all the people who make the business successful. So, hinanap niya yong the best speaker in the world; he wanted to consult and ask for advice from the best speaker in the whole world. He finally consulted that speaker. You know what he said? Ang sabi niya, the best advice from the best speaker in the world is to keep it short,” Morados narrated.

Following that advice, Morados said she would also keep her speech brief. Instead of talking about rankings, academic achievements, or the challenges she overcame to become one of the country's top-performing dentists, she focused on thanking the province and its people.

For the 26-year-old dentist, her accomplishment is not solely the result of personal effort. It is also a reflection of a community that nurtures, supports, and celebrates the achievements of its sons and daughters.

While she was being recognized for bringing honor to Kalinga, she turned the spotlight back to the province she proudly calls home.

“So, following that (the story she narrated), I would like to be straight to the point also. I would like to thank everyone, the province of Kalinga, for properly shining a light on achievements such as this…thank you all, each and every one, of course, the provincial office, for taking and nurturing Kalinga into a province I can proudly call home,” added Morados.

Her words resonated with many in attendance, not only because of her achievement but because of the humility behind it.

In a time when success is often measured by rankings and accolades, Morados reminded her fellow iKalingas that accomplishments become even more meaningful when shared with the community that helped make them possible.

Alongside Morados, the Provincial Government of Kalinga also recognized Karyl Joyce Dawadao of Rizal, who placed Top 7 in the February 2025 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination, and Oryl Anga-angan Ganotisi of Tabuk City, who landed in the Top 10 of the March 2025 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination.

The three board topnotchers received cash incentives from the provincial government in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

For Morados, however, the most important part of the recognition was not the award itself, but the opportunity to express gratitude to the province that she said continues to inspire its people to dream, strive, and succeed.