“WHEN life is kicking others in the teeth, become a dentist.”
This is one of the motivations of December 2018 Dentist Licensure Examination fourth placer Christian Nida Lumongsod to pursue dentistry – become a source of hope and help for others who need him.
Lumongsod, who was born on November 4, 1994 and was raised in General Santos City, is the seventh child in a family of nine children.
Lumongsod decided to proceed to dentistry after experiencing before severe pain from multiple caries a few years ago. After being treated by a dentist and feeling better, she came to look up at all the dentists. Her brother even suggested, “Why not give dentistry a shot?”
She added the problems she usually went through when she was a student include looking for patients so they can comply with their requirements. Lumongsod added there were also some patients who did not follow appointments.
In 2016, they lost their father and she also worried about how she would be able to finish her studies but was later on thankful that she successfully did with the help of her mother and siblings.
She shared that she had a personal problem during the review period which made it difficult to focus studying.
"Actually sick ko tong pagkabalo sa results pero mao to dili gihapon ko katuo so I was in cloud nine, ecstatic. Mura’g na tambalan ko sa akong sakit (I was sick when I learned of the result but I still can't believe it so I was in cloud nine, feeling ecstatic. I felt cured from my sickness),” Lumongsod said.
She expressed her gratitude to her friends who were always there to believe in her strength and capabilities and helped her with the struggles that she had been through. She also thanked her family who were always there to check on her while she was reviewing in Manila through chat, text, and calls.
"And kay God kay everyday pagmata always nako gina-pray peace of mind para maka-study ko ug maka-focus kay naglisod gyud ko kaayo ato nga time (I also thanked God for giving me peace of mind to study and focus during those times I had struggles within me),” she said.
Lumongsod was also thankful to her father who passed away two years ago for settling everything in their family before he left.
Lumongsod said that she will undergo additional trainings and seminar to widen her knowledge and skills and to excel in her field of study.