When Chloe Hernando graduated from STEFTI in 2012, she didn’t know what lay beyond the bend along the path she chose to tread.  All that she had in her heart was the assurance that there will be “a dozen ways to celebrate a dozen years of excellence” ahead. That was how determined and resolute she was about what college life would be after graduating during that year, STEFTI’s 12^th year of existence.

A Dozen Celebrations of Excellence 

Graduating as Salutatorian of her batch allowed Chloe to enroll with a 90% discount on tuition and miscellaneous fees at Centro Escolar University- Manila, one of the top dental schools in the country. There, she took her two-year preparatory dentistry and four-year degree in Doctor of Dental Medicine. She considered this her first celebration: to enroll in a prestigious institution and as a scholar, at that.

Just like how she was in high school, Chloe maintained her academic standing as a consistent president’s lister in her pre-dentistry years and a consistent dean’s lister during dental proper years.  Her being a probinsyana didn’t deter her from assuming leadership roles as a class president from 2012-2014, an auditor of the debate society of the university, and a treasurer of School of Dentistry Student  Council. The job was surreal as was juggling her responsibilities as an officer of several organizations while maintaining her scholarship. 

Since she aimed for a full scholarship, she ran for office in the University Student Council and won as Public Relations Officer, Treasurer and became the President in  2017-2018. Aside from enjoying a full scholarship in tuition and miscellaneous expenses as a student leader, she got to know more  people and gained more experience in events planning and  coordination. She got the chance to represent her school in major university assemblies and enjoyed the perks of out-of-town trips and seminars in Boracay, Palawan, and Baguio.  This for her was another blessing, another reason to celebrate.

“In 2018, I graduated as one of the Outstanding Students and one of the  Outstanding Presidents of Centro Escolar University. I was also a gold medalist  awardee for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. My service as a University  Student Council president allowed me to earn a Presidential Gold Medal from the university president. This was the third of more celebrations to come.

“St. Therese of Lisieux, my patroness then and now, may have been always with me in the little ways that I do in my life that I was blessed to be chosen by the Professional Regulation  Commission, Board of Dentistry to represent the Philippines in an all-expense paid  trip at the ASEAN Dental Student Forum held at Chulalongkorn University in  Thailand.”  Still another experience to cherish and a reason to celebrate.

“After I graduated from Centro Escolar University- Manila with a degree in Doctor of Dental Medicine, I took the board exam immediately the next month.  Right after I passed both theoretical and practical phases of the board exam in  Dentistry, I was invited to be a lecturer for dental board exam examinees in a  national review academy where I teach Oral Pathology and Endodontics up until  now. August of 2018, I was also hired as an associate dentist in a mall dental clinic where I took my post-graduate preceptorship in Orthodontics at the International  Association for Orthodontics alongside with my work.” She really had all the reasons to be thankful to God for these minor successes in her life as a young dentist.

She ended her stay with her first employment in June of 2019 to gain experience in a clinic whose main specialization was  Orthodontics.  She took another post-graduate preceptorship program at the  Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry while working with another employer. Finally she opened her own dental company last June which meant she had to end her services with her second employer and tried to fly her tiny fledgling wings on her own. 

“Currently, I am a full-time CEO and dentist of my clinic, A+ Dental Care Haven  Incorporated and we just turned 3 months old last August 24.”  This would be the sixth of her list of victories to celebrate.

Is this the end of her dozen celebrations? Those are only half of those! Little did she know that the first six triumphs and successes had been enjoyed already during her stay in STEFTI:

“My time in STEFTI allowed me to explore and develop the leadership, mental, and  creative aspects of my life.“

“As a student government leader, I learned how to reach out to people and how to  empathize with their needs. I was made aware of how my voice and character  deeply impacts others. I learned not to live just for myself but also to live in the  service of my school, my community, and my country.“

“As a consistent honor student, I learned the value of hard work and diligence that  allowed me to become a consistent president’s and dean’s lister and even earn a  high grade on my board exam results in just one take.“

“As a member of the STEFTI Dance Troupe, I learned how to dance with the music  of life. Life after STEFTI was  not a smooth sailing ride but I could definitely say that I was able to gracefully  handle every obstacle I faced.”  

“STEFTI made sure that I was more than just an academic achiever. My teachers honed me  further to the point that I consider myself as the ‘Jack of All Trades’. I can say that I am resilient, smart, courageous, spiritual, and  confident because STEFTI helped me in discovering my deeper sense of self.”