MANILA, Philippines – Former Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 housemates Joli Alferez and Gwen Montano have reached a new milestone. The 'couple' passed the May and June 2025 Dentist Licensure Examination (DLE). They are now officially Doctors of Dental Medicine (DMD).
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| Congratulations, Joli and Gwen! They are now licensed dentists! |
On Instagram, both shared their joy. Their journey wasn’t easy. Joli, known as “The Smiling Darling of Camarines Sur,” juggled showbiz and dentistry.
“Chasing two dreams at once was not an easy task,” she wrote. “I had rehearsals, shoots, mall shows, and travels—all while preparing for my board exam.”
She also opened up about the emotional toll. “I cried, broke down, troubled sleeping, and almost gave up,” she admitted. “But in those moments, God sent the right people to lift me up.”
In an ABS-CBN interview, Joli spoke about the pressure. “Sobrang hirap ipagsabay... ang daming ginagawa sa showbiz. Ang dami din sa medical field,” she said. “Hindi basta-basta ang paghandle ng health ng tao. Mako-compromise ka pag napabayaan mo yung pag-aaral mo.”
She managed her time carefully. “Pag-bakante ako, pumapasok ako for theoreticals. Weekends, practicals. Kapag gabi, workshops or projects,” she explained.
Gwen, “The Brave Bromantiko of Cavite,” thanked God in his post. “This was not entirely me. God made this possible. This was His plan. I will forever be an instrument for His purpose.”
He described his journey as full of emotion. “Every hardship, delay, and challenge made my story more meaningful,” he wrote. “I knew I’d come out stronger, wiser, and more resilient.”
Gwen also reflected on how far he’s come. “Before PBB, I was a dental student. Now, I’m a licensed dentist. And it only gets better from here,” he said. “One thing’s for sure—I’ll always stay true to myself. ‘H’wag mong kakalimutan kung sino ka.’”
He credited his confidence to preparation. “Hindi ako kinabahan,” he said. “Kobe Bryant said his confidence came from knowing he prepared. Same with me. I wasn’t a topnotcher, but I’m the best version of myself.”
Joli and Gwen’s PBB journey began just a month after graduation. Joli wanted to audition and encouraged Gwen to come. Gwen planned only to drop her off but ended up auditioning too.
They entered the house as a 2-in-1 housemate pair. Their chemistry and story captured attention. Though they didn’t win—the title went to Fyang Smith—they left with something greater.
Now, they return to real life not just as reality stars, but as full-fledged professionals—proof that dreams can be doubled and still achieved.
— The Summit Express