In July 2023, The Global Filipino Magazine shared the inspiring journey of Winston Tan Parandas, a man who rose from poverty in the Philippines to achieve success as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Since then, Winston has added yet another achievement to his impressive story—transforming himself from a student to a part-time educator at the Filipino Institute in Abu Dhabi.
Winston firmly believes that learning is a never-ending process. Motivated to enhance his professional expertise, he enrolled in the 24-week Document Control Professional course at the Filipino Institute in Abu Dhabi in October 2023. By June 2024, he successfully completed the program, marking another milestone in his pursuit of excellence.
The decision to further his education stemmed from his desire to equip himself with advanced skills while inspiring others to do the same. Winston has always emphasized that education plays a pivotal role in achieving success, regardless of age or circumstances.
True to his character, Winston’s journey did not stop at completing his certification. In July 2024, he applied for a part-time teaching position at the Filipino Institute in Abu Dhabi, the same institution where he honed his skills. Recognized by the Academic Dean for his dedication and expertise, he was accepted as a part-time trainer for the 24-week Document Control Professional course.
Currently, Winston teaches two batches—Batch 19 on Tuesdays and Batch 20 on Thursdays—from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. What makes his role even more remarkable is that he does this for free, aligning with his personal advocacy of giving back to the community that once supported him. For Winston, teaching is not just a job but a way to inspire his fellow OFWs and expatriates to pursue their dreams through education.
This is not the first time Winston has shared his time and expertise with others. In 2018, he completed a 12-week course module on Human Resources and Administration at the Filipino Institute in Dubai. Now, as an educator, he draws from his experiences as a student and a seasoned professional to guide his trainees, many of whom are OFWs striving to improve their lives.
By empowering others to achieve their goals, Winston exemplifies the true spirit of bayanihan—uplifting one another for a common purpose.
Winston’s advice to his fellow OFWs and expatriates remains unchanged: “Never stop building your dreams and working toward them. Education is a powerful tool that can help you achieve success, no matter where you are in life.”
