On Friday, November 10, 2023, the second pinning and coating ceremonies of the Pines City Colleges (PCC) Dentistry Clinicians Clinic 1 were conducted at the Amphitheater of Pines City Doctors Hospital, Baguio City. 38 clinicians, their parents, and faculty marched down the aisle for the ceremonies.
Dr. Jonah Grace Valdez and Dr. Larla Mae Lapeña were the masters of ceremonies for the day. Dr. Magdalene Chapasen led the opening prayer, followed by the National Anthem singing. Dr. Hesse Fritz Quinomis started with the opening remarks, preceded by a short speech from the PCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Marian Grace Gascon.
The event guest speaker, Dr. April Gacutan, gave an inspirational talk to the clinicians. Dr. Gacutan is an alumnus of the College of Dentistry Batch 2021 and the youngest dental practitioner in Ilocos Sur at the age of 23. She got her license in 2022 and started her entrepreneurial path by establishing her own dental clinic and pharmacy in San Isidro, Candon, Ilocos Sur. In her speech, she asked the clinicians to reflect on three questions that would motivate them to thrive more in their chosen field: “Why did you choose dentistry? Who inspired you? And who supports you?”
After the speech, the clinicians lined up again as Dr. Hesse Fritz Quinomis called out their names. College Dean Dr. Joseph Charles Herrero led the coating of the clinicians, and Dr. Shojie Mendoza handed the pins to the parents, who pinned them to the clinicians’ coats.
After the coating and pinning ceremonies, it was the clinicians’ turn to give their speech. Ms. Kimberly Joice Manese, a freelancer and studious clinician in her 5th-year level, brought back her co-clinicians to the struggles and sacrifices they had to make every day as a dentistry student and encouraged them to make these experiences their positive motivation for their continuing commitment to their field.
Then came the tribute and thanksgiving of the clinicians to their parents, in which they gave gifts and dedicated a song entitled “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman. Dr. Herrero gave the last speech, followed by the closing prayer by Dr. Emmeline D. Caguioa.
This was indeed a transition for the students to another journey of struggles, determination, commitment, and service as clinicians. # Nanette May Weygan, DSO/Pines Shield
