Doc Mayki’s Journey: From Repeated Failure to Dental Success

I didn’t expect to cry today. I was just scrolling through TikTok when I stumbled upon a video that stopped me in my tracks. It was Doc Mayki, now a licensed dentist, sharing her story of failing the board exam twice before finally passing on her third try. But it wasn’t just the exam that broke her. It was everything behind it: the sacrifices, the shame, the quiet strength of her mother. And somehow, her story cracked something open in me.

Doc Mayki failed the Philippine Dentist Licensure Exam two times. That alone is hard. But what made it harder was watching her cousin and close friends pass while she didn’t. She described it as a bittersweet ache. She was genuinely happy for them, proud even. But deep inside, she felt left behind. I felt that. I’ve lived that. And hearing her say it out loud made me feel less alone.

By the time she took the exam again in November 2018, she had already convinced herself she wouldn’t make it. Two of her friends who had scored high in the pre-board didn’t pass the actual board. That shattered her hope. She didn’t even wait for the results, she called her mom and said, “Ma, hindi ako pumasa.”

Her mom didn’t get angry. She didn’t scold her. She simply said, “Okay lang yan. Di muna ako uuwi ha, kasi mag-aaral ka pa. Walang magbabayad ng review mo.” That line hit me like a wave. Because behind it was a mother who had been working abroad since 1994 as a caregiver. A mother who was no longer strong enough to lift patients, and had shifted to working as a manicurist just to keep supporting her daughter’s dreams.

Doc Mayki knew her mom wanted to come home. She knew her mom was tired. “Alam ko na gusto na niya umuwi,” she said, “kaya gustong gusto ko na pumasa.” And then she said something that pierced the heart: “Ang mga magulang natin, hindi nila pinapakita na nahihirapan na sila.”

Then came the twist. One of her friends messaged her: “Congrats, pumasa ka!” She was stunned. She cried, hard. She called her mom again, this time with joy overflowing: “Ma, pumasa pala ako! Makakauwi ka na. Mayaman na tayo. Makakauwi ka na, ako na ang magtatrabaho.”

It wasn’t just about passing. It was about freedom. About finally being able to give back to the woman who gave her everything. She said she’s lucky to have a mom who truly believes in her, even though she made mistakes, even though she stumbled. Her mom never stopped accepting her.

And then she said something that stayed with me: “Kapag dumating yung time na wala ng matira sa akin, basta mabigyan lang kita ng magandang buhay.”

That line hit me deeply. Because I’ve carried that same dream in my heart for years: to give my parents the best life they can have, while they’re still here. They’re no longer young. I see it in the way they move, in the quiet moments when they sit longer than they used to. And I don’t want to wait until it’s too late. I want them to feel the good life now. I want them to rest, to smile, to enjoy the fruits of the sacrifices they made for me.

I’ve always believed that success isn’t just about titles or income, it’s about being able to look your parents in the eye and say, “You can rest now. I’ve got you.”

Doc Mayki’s video didn’t just move me, it moved thousands. Many of the people who watched it, especially students with big dreams, were deeply inspired. Her story became a source of strength for those who were struggling with their own exams, their own doubts, their own quiet battles.

One viewer even shared that she kept watching the video over and over while reviewing for her own board exam. It became her emotional fuel. And now? She’s a Certified Public Accountant. That video helped her believe again.

Doc Mayki’s story didn’t just boost her own confidence, it boosted the confidence of countless students who are dreaming of a better life. Her tears became a bridge. Her honesty became a mirror. And her triumph became a torch for others to carry.

What makes Doc Mayki even more unforgettable is her personality online. She’s known for being outspoken and fearless on social media, palaban and prangka. She's funny. She doesn’t sugarcoat her thoughts. In fact, she’s so real that sometimes, she even curses at people who ask her rude or insensitive questions. And yet, that rawness is part of her power. She’s not trying to be perfect, she’s trying to be honest. And that honesty is what makes her story resonate so deeply.

Doc Mayki’s story reminded me that failure isn’t the end, it’s part of the journey. And sometimes, the most powerful reason to rise is the quiet strength of someone who never stopped believing in you.