The UB FILES

#UBFRANT Entry13447 An Open Letter to University of Baguio School of Dentistry Body of entry: I never thought I would write this. This isn't written out of spite, nor is it meant to seek sympathy. Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I hope you read this with an open mind. I know some people might see this as just a rant from someone who left, but I hope you understand that this is not coming from a place of hatred. I spent years in UB. I met people who became important parts of my journey, built friendships that I will always treasure, and had experiences that shaped me as a dental student. I will always be grateful for the good things and the people who made my stay meaningful. However, I also believe that being grateful does not mean staying silent about the things that hurt students. This is simply my experience. I transferred schools, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not because dentistry became easier—it didn't. Dentistry will always be difficult. The sleepless nights, laboratory requirements, practical exams, pressure, and sacrifices are part of the journey. Every dental student knows that. But after transferring, I realized something that honestly hurt: **Hindi pala dapat ganun.** For the longest time, I thought everything we experienced was normal. I thought every dental student struggled the same way. I thought every school had the same challenges. I kept telling myself, "Ganito talaga ang dentistry." Until I transferred. And that's when I realized that some things I accepted were things I shouldn't have had to accept in the first place. Looking back, ang dami kong "akala ko." Akala ko normal lang na a program like dentistry, which is supposed to be very hands-on, would still rely heavily on online lectures. I understand that there were circumstances that required adjustments, but dentistry is not a course where you can learn everything through a screen. We need actual practice, repetition, and exposure because the skills we develop now will eventually affect the patients we treat in the future. Akala ko normal lang na when schedules change, students simply have to adjust regardless of how heavy the workload becomes. When the four-day work week happened, I understood why it was implemented. But as dental students, our curriculum is different. We do not only have lectures—we have laboratories, practical requirements, and clinical skills that require time and repetition. Compressing everything into fewer days did not remove the workload; it only made it more exhausting. Akala ko normal lang na having limited access to resources was just part of being a dental student. I remember times when we had to share limited dental chairs and laboratory resources. During our local anesthesia laboratory, having only two dental chairs for an entire class was something we experienced. At that time, we laughed about it because honestly, what else could we do? We waited, took turns, and adjusted because we thought that was just how dental school was. But after transferring, I realized that students should not have to compete for opportunities to practice the skills they need to become competent dentists. Then there was the financial side. Dental school is expensive. Behind every tuition payment are sacrifices from students and their families. That is why students naturally hope that they can feel where their tuition goes. One of the biggest realizations I had after transferring was this: **Ramdam ko yung tuition ko.** And honestly, that feeling was both comforting and painful. Comforting because I finally felt that the sacrifices made for my education were reflected in the learning environment. Painful because I realized I should have experienced that from the beginning. I could see the difference in facilities, resources, and systems that made student life less stressful. Not because my new school is perfect—no school is—but because I finally experienced what it feels like to be supported as a student. For years, I thought I was asking for too much. I wasn't. I wasn't asking for luxury. I wasn't asking for perfection. I just wanted to feel that the sacrifices made for dental school were worth it. I also want to talk about the student experience outside academics. Events like Dentistry Night, Dentistry Olympics, and orientations can be meaningful. They can create friendships and build school spirit. I understand their purpose. However, there were moments when these activities became a source of stress for students because of the consequences attached to attendance and participation. Many students experienced concerns with enrollment because of pending requirements connected to these activities. There were instances where student portals were placed on hold until requirements were completed. I personally remember having to clean a classroom before my enrollment concern was resolved. That moment stayed with me because I couldn't help but ask: should accessing our education become connected to things outside our academic requirements? Students should participate because they want to be part of something, not because they are afraid of consequences. Another thing that stayed with me was the culture. I want to be fair. Not every professor was the same. There were professors who genuinely cared, helped us, and reminded us why we chose dentistry. I will always appreciate them. But there were also moments where students felt intimidated rather than guided. There were times when asking questions or making mistakes felt scary. Dentistry requires discipline and high standards, but high standards and compassion can exist together. Students can be challenged without feeling like they are constantly fighting against the system. I also want to acknowledge that UB has produced successful dental graduates. A 100% board passing rate is an achievement that deserves recognition. It reflects the effort of students, faculty, and everyone involved. But I also learned that excellence is not only measured by what happens after graduation. It is also measured by what students experience while trying to get there. A school can produce excellent graduates and still have areas where it needs to improve. Both things can be true. This letter is not because I hate UB. If anything, it comes from disappointment. Because I was once a student who wanted this school to be better. I stayed. I adjusted. I tried to understand. But transferring made me realize that some things I accepted as normal were not things I should have had to accept. The hardest part about leaving was not starting over. The hardest part was realizing that I should have expected more. I am grateful for the memories, friendships, and lessons. But I also have to be honest about why I left. Because after transferring, I finally understood that I wasn't asking for too much. I was only asking for what every dental student deserves: a place where they can learn, a place where they can practice, a place where they feel supported, and a place where they know that the sacrifices they and their families make are valued. I left UB hoping for a fresh start. What I found was perspective. And if there's one thing I will always carry with me, it is this: I do not regret choosing dentistry. I only regret believing for so long that struggling this way was simply part of the journey. pseudo: periodontitis

#UBFORSALE Entry13446 SEA RED & BLACK UNIFORM JACKETS FOR SALE Description: - Not brand new - Black Jacket (Small) - Red Jacket (Medium) For only 500.00 each

#UBFQUESTIONS Entry13445 Hi! I’m a non-UB student but I’ve seen somewhere na nagooffer ang UB ng panoramic xray. How do I book an appointment/inquire? My wisdom tooth is growing and I’m already feeling a slight discomfort. I don’t want to wait and make it worse. So far, UB lang yung cheapest among all dental clinics (private) na nakapag-inquire ako (im just a student that’s why im trying to go for the cheapest in the market) thank you po sa tutugon

#UBFQUESTION Entry13444 Inquiry of DMD First Year Hi guys, first year dmd student from CAA3! Tanong ko lang if we already have an official class gc. And if may mga codes na ba tayo or links for our google classrooms for our subjects cuz like one day nalang before school and ive only been invited to one 🙉. - Concerned Student P.S. may mga tips ba mga senior studentista diyan for first years hehe mwa

#UBFLOOKINGFOR Entry13443 Hello pu paadd po sa gc po kung meron po

#UBRANT Entry13442 To the UB Junior High School Administration, ​ Please give immediate attention to the current class schedule for junior high school students. The students' learning habits are becoming unstable, compromising the quality of their education. We request that UB Junior High School discontinue blended learning and return to full-time face-to-face classes. (The current schedule has Mondays and Wednesdays online, Tuesdays and Thursdays face-to-face, and Fridays split between online and face-to-face). ​ Parents initially agreed to enroll their children under a blended learning setup. However, experience shows that this method is ineffective and damages the students' study habits. Instead of focusing on their schoolwork, students spend more time online engaging in non-academic activities. They would benefit much more from being in a physical classroom, away from phone distractions, and directly guided by their teachers. Hoping this will be addressed as soon as possible.

#UBADVICE Entry13441 Topic: Performative Clubs and Organizations Hi! Freshman here! Still learning kung papano po manavigate ang college life sa uni na to. Magtatanong lng po sana sa mga seniors kung papano po ung auditioning para sa mga performative clubs and organizations. Madami po bang manunuod or kau kau lng po ng judge usually ung mangyayari tas if ganun, ilan po silang magkakasama? Tas pano po sila magjudge, may grades po ba or may rounds ba ng bawat audition na gagawin at para bang eliminations? If okay lng po ba na tinatanong ko and mga to or bawal??? Curious lng po sana sa mga gaya kong first year na may balak sana mag-apply. Tas if ever po, ano po ang mga bukas ngayong organizations for auditions aside from the chorale? If wala po, kailan po ba sila usually na nag bubukas ng auditions? Thank you so much po, have a good week ahead!

#UBRANT Entry13439 Advice only from 3rd year If you guys had a Boyfriend/ Girlfriend make sure po na mag set ng boundaries sa relationship niyo, not everthing is about relationship. I have a classmates girl na very mad at me and to others girl na nakaka communicate ng bf niya. Girl its all about academic bakit galit na galit ka?? Ano teh sayo lang ba umiikoy buhay ng bf mo ? M** *** sa oangalan and yung bf niya na si h****d. 3rd year na kayo sana aware kayo. Nakaka insulto lang na pag kakausapin mo bf niya nagagalit nalang bigla.

#UBFQUESTIONS Entry13438 Genuine question lng po since transferee ako .... regarding po sa wearing ng MLS uniform ,mag uuniform na po ba if nag tetake na po ng second year subjects but at the same time may mga binabalikan parin na first year subs ?

#UBQUESTION Entry13437 NEED NG INFO Sa mga upcoming firstyear civil engineering may gc naba ng mga sections?? Mr. D pa kasali sa gc