Taking advantage of the temporary lull in putting together charity dental clinics and doing outreach missions, the Foundation focused on selecting a new crop of dental school scholars for the school year starting August 2026.
It took the committee a few meetings to evaluate the documents from several applicants before they settled on five. Those selected have few things in common, notably they are from financially challenged families and are graduates with honors from their respective high schools. They were also amongst the ones that wrote wonderful essays to back up their applications. The five applicants will be provided financial aid to cope up with the high price of going to dental school in the Philippines.
Dentistry in the Philippines is a long six-year course from high school. But despite that, there is no shortage of applicants wishing to start dental school in the more than 30 private and public schools in the Philippines.
Heading the list of new scholars is a young lady from the southern Philippines. Her name is Xylene Escorpiso, an honors graduate from the Marian Colleges in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Ms. Escorpiso is the youngest daughter of a couple that had to leave their home and work as Overseas Filipino Workers to sustain their family. She was brought up by her grandmother who instilled in her the core values in life that still guides her today.
Ms. Escorpiso was accepted at the Universidad de Zamboanga College of Dentistry in Zamboanga City after passing the qualifying exams and dexterity test given for in-coming dental students. This was verified by Dean Demetrio Daet.
In her essay she wrote: “I have a deep passion for dentistry because I truly believe in myself and my willingness to do whatever it takes to provide dental services to people one day. I am drawn to dentistry because it combines both science and artistry. I have always been interested in science, particularly in understanding how the human body works and how healthcare professionals improve people’s well-being. At the same time, I admire the artistic side of dentistry, where precision, creativity, and attention to detail are essential in restoring and enhancing smiles”.
The financial aid to Ms. Escorpiso was facilitated by Francis V. Azcarraga of Zamboanga City, a nephew of D4EVF President Dr Ed de la Vega and witnessed by two UZ staff, Dr. Jayvee Longcob and Dr. Felipe Francisco.
The next scholar is Ms. Daniela Dador, an incoming second year dental student at the Our Lady of Fatima College of Dentistry at Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. Ms. Dador’s grades from her first year are very impressive.
Part of her essay says: I know that dental school will not be easy, but I am ready to give my best. I look forward to learning new skills, gaining knowledge, and growing into a dentist who can make a positive difference in people’s lives. My dream is to provide quality dental care, especially to those who cannot easily afford it, and to help bring back the confidence that comes with a healthy smile”.
“Receiving financial aid would mean so much to me and my family. It would help me continue my education and bring me one step closer to achieving my dream. I am determined to study hard, make the most of this opportunity, and one day give back by serving my community as a compassionate and dedicated dentist.”
The transfer of the funds to Ms. Dador was facilitated by the D4EVF liaison, Dr. Ma. Leah Imperio through Dr. Arturo de Leon, Dean of the Our Lady of Fatima College of Dentistry.
The next two scholars are both from the Visayas region in central Philippines and were accepted at the Southwestern University College of Dentistry at Cebu City. SWU is one of the premier dental schools in the great island of Cebu.
The first is Ikea Mae de la Cruz, a graduate of the high school division of the University of Cebu Banilad Campus. She is a recipient of the Hawak Kamay Scholarship Grant from the SWU. The grant cut her tuition in half. With the financial aid she is getting from the D4EVF, she is all set for her first semester in dental school.
This is a portion of her essay: “I did not plan this dream. It found me, half-formed, in a quote I wrote for someone else. Four years ago, my best friend Claire needed a quote for a sunset photo, something to submit that day for our school’s publication. I sat with it far longer than the task called for. What came out was this: “I would like to be the horizon in your darkest times; the candle in your dark room; the solace in your prison of pain.”
I understood it only after writing it. My purpose was to serve!
“In dental school, I hope to build not just the technical skills this profession demands, but the steadiness to care for people well, especially those who, like the families I grew up around, were never taught their oral health mattered. I want to sharpen my hands as much as my patience and stay grounded enough to hold onto why I started when the work gets hard. I have struggled with confidence these past few years, and I know dental school will test that further, but I am ready to meet it”.
“I still think about that photo sometimes, the sunset where I first wrote about the horizon, langit at lupa, sky and earth meeting at a single line. I used to think my dream was like the sky, too high, too far, never meant to be touched by people like us. I know now what I meant. I am ready to spend the years ahead becoming the horizon I once only described from a distance.”
The transfer of funds to Ms. Dela Cruz was facilitated by Edito ALA Villamor and his wife Gina of Mandaue City, Cebu. Mr. Villamor is a world class boxing coach. Dr. Ed de la Vega served as his team cutman in many professional boxing matches including several world-title matches in the US, Mexico and the Philippines.
The second scholar going to the SWU College of Dentistry is Marielle Vienne Aboga, an honors graduate from the Divine Mercy Integrated Academy at Villareal, Western Samar. She is also a recipient of the Hawak Kamay Scholarship Grant from SWU.
A few years ago, the D4EVF built a dental clinic for that high school. The clinic provides free and or low-cost dentistry to the students, faculty, administrative staff and the poor and underserved residents of the surrounding community.
In his speech during the inauguration of the clinic, D4EVF President Dr. Ed de la Vega informed the student body that he will help finance the studies of any graduate that gets accepted at dental school.
Thus, when Ms. Aboga came calling for financial aid, she had no issues being granted some. Ms. Aboga, however, was not accepted as a scholar simply because she was a DMIA graduate. She was a STEM graduate with very high honors and was a consistent honor student throughout her junior and senior high school.
Ms. Aboga’s journey to dental school was partly motivated by her personal experiences. As a child she was always bullied by other children due to her “crooked teeth”. But, due to their financial situation, her parents could not afford corrective measures.
This is what she wrote in her essay: “Dentistry is more than just my dream career; it is my purpose. My own struggles inspired me to pursue this path, and I hope that one day I can use those experiences to make a difference in the lives of others. I always wanted to be remembered not only for fixing teeth, but for restoring confidence, bringing back smiles, and proving that no child should ever feel ashamed to smile because of their teeth”
Dr. Ma. Leah Imperio likewise facilitated the transfer of funds to Ms. Aboga.
The foundation wishes to thank the members of the Scholarship Committee for their hard work and the donors and supporters that provided the funds that allow it to grant financial aids to the Filipino dental students. Ditto to Dr. Ma. Leah Imperio, Mr. Edito Villamor and Mr. Francis Azcarraga for their work in facilitating fund transfers to the students.
The Dentistry for Every Village Foundation, Inc., raises funds by seeking grants and donations to build dental clinics. These clinics are donated to health care institutions that have the resources to house the facility, experiences and expertise to run them efficiently, and whose management is supportive of the cause.
