From self-doubt to Top 5: UP Manila grad triumphs in May 2026 DLE

MANILA, Philippines – For years, Quayne Pauline Siscar carried a simple but powerful prayer in her heart.

Photo courtesy: Quayne Pauline Siscar

“Lord, please prepare me for what I am asking for, and if You think I am not ready yet, help me accept that it is not meant for me at this time.”

That prayer became her anchor throughout the grueling preparation for the May 2026 Dentists Licensure Examination (DLE), a journey that eventually led her to become one of the country's top-performing examinees.

The 27-year-old graduate of the University of the Philippines Manila placed fifth in the licensure examination, an achievement she admits she never expected.

“After so many years in college, I got tired of constantly wishing for things and learned to accept that maybe some things were simply not for me yet,” Siscar shared, in an exclusive interview with The Summit Express.

Even after taking the board exam, she remained uncertain about the outcome. Whenever people asked how she performed, her answer was always the same: the exam was difficult, and she was not even sure she would pass.

When the results were finally released, it was her mother who first discovered that she had not only passed but also ranked among the top examinees nationwide.

“Totoo ba ‘to?’ Because I really didn’t expect it. I found the exam too difficult and I told myself suntok na sa buwan ang pagiging topnotcher. We just hugged in pure happiness, and deep inside I kept thanking God for the favorable results,” she said.

Siscar's road to becoming a dentist was far from straightforward. Although she had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, dentistry was never part of her original plan. After qualifying for admission to UP Manila under the Degree Program with Available Slots (DPWAS) scheme, she chose Dentistry from the limited options offered to her.

She initially intended to shift to another course or use it as a pre-med program, but eventually stayed and completed the degree after a decade-long journey.

Her years in dental school tested not only her academic abilities but also her resilience. Once an academic achiever in high school, Siscar struggled with self-doubt after receiving barely passing marks in college. She also discovered that dentistry demanded far more than classroom excellence.

“The clinical side was especially difficult. Patients sometimes failed to show up or discontinued treatment, forcing me to start over and making it harder to complete requirements,” she said.

The challenges continued during board exam preparations. She described the review period as mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. Fighting self-doubt became her greatest battle.

“There were moments when I wanted to quit. I even cried the night before the last day of the practical examinations because everything felt overwhelming,” she said.

Despite the hardships, Siscar remained grounded in faith. Prayer became one of her greatest sources of strength, while the support of family, friends, professors, classmates, patients, and mentors carried her through the most difficult days.

In a heartfelt message shared after the results were released, she expressed gratitude to everyone who became part of her journey, particularly her late sister, Ate Aivee, whom she described as her greatest inspiration. She also thanked her mother, whom she called her pillar of strength, as well as countless loved ones who believed in her even when she struggled to believe in herself.

Now a licensed Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Siscar views passing the board examination not merely as an achievement but as a responsibility.

“Getting the license is a privilege, but more than that, it is a big responsibility,” she said.

For aspiring board passers and future topnotchers, Siscar offers a simple reminder born from experience: “Do your best and let God do the rest.”

“I know it’s way easier said than done, but it helps to trust yourself and believe that you can, and good things will follow. It’s normal and valid that a lot of times you’ll want to give up and quit, but think of all your ‘why’s’ and the sacrifices you made that brought you here. You didn’t come this far to only make it this far,” she explains.

As she celebrates this milestone with her loved ones, she remains committed to further improving her skills and serving patients with competence, compassion, and excellence—proving that faith, perseverance, and gratitude can turn years of uncertainty into a remarkable triumph.

— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express