Roderick Nadera

January 13, 1995

Journey to Advocacy

"Share the Care, Spread the Smile, Shine Exceptional."

Founder and Creator of MOC+

Early Life and Upbringing of Roderick Cuarteros Nadera

I was consistently among the top students throughout my elementary and high school years, but everything wasn't fair. While my classmates focused solely on their assignments, tests, grades, and projects, I faced different challenges. In addition to academics, my primary problem was not having money for lunch or to buy paper and pens. Everything was tough for me; I was just as intelligent as our valedictorian, but I didn’t have the financial support to compete. Schooling is not only about being a bright kid to achieve high grades; it also involves completing all projects and extracurricular activities. After I graduated high school, my parents couldn’t send me to college due to financial constraints. Nevertheless, I still took the entrance exam at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Biñan. I scored among the highest and was offered the best course, which was BS Accounting, as I was prioritized due to my high entrance score and grades. I ultimately changed my course to BSIT because I worried I couldn’t afford the initial course offered to me. Unfortunately, I ended up not attending the first day of school because I failed to pay the down payment for my tuition. I asked an administrative staff member for help and I applied to serve as a student assistant to continue my college education. The staff member replied that I should come back when I had enough money to afford their tuition. I cried and promised myself that I would return in the future, get all my documents, and no longer enroll in a public university but in a prestigious one. I worked hard, starting from a lower-class laborer to becoming a freelance marketer and eventually holding executive positions, although I didn't have a fixed salary. Over time, I became skilled in public speaking and effectively presenting my ideas in business. I started as a freelance advertiser and eventually became the CEO of an advertising company. In advertising, we promote almost everything and help people tell their stories. However, based on my experience, we did not have affiliated clinics. I believe that self-promotion should not be something to hesitate about; it is something to be proud of. If you are a good doctor, failing to market yourself does a disservice to the medical community. As the best advertiser of my generation, I realized that doctors also need assistance with patient acquisition. By solving their problems, I got to know them better and transitioned from business partners to friends. This journey completed my idea of becoming one of the great advocates for oral healthcare in the Philippines.

Roderick Nadera YEAR 2011-2012