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OFW barista-turned-teacher of children with autism in Dubai earns praise
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — A 28-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who started work in Dubai as a barista is now making a name for himself as one of the city's promising young teachers, whose students include children with autism.
Quite a turnaround for Aries Galang of Angeles City, Pampanga, who came to Dubai on October 5, 2019 with "big dreams, a hopeful heart, and strong faith" that he would find a better future for himself and his family.
Despite having his license as a teacher in the Philippines, it took a while for Aries to land a desired teaching job in Dubai.
"When I arrived in the United Arab Emirates, I faced the reality that opportunities here don't come easily, and competition is tough. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but I still couldn't find a job related to teaching. I needed to survive, so I accepted whatever job came my way," recalled Galang.
His first job in Dubai was as a waiter in a resto bar.
"It was a 12-hour shift, from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., and it was truly exhausting. I remember standing on my feet all night, serving people with a smile even when my body was tired. After a month, the bar closed, and I had to start from scratch again," Galang said.
"Then I found work as a barista/waiter/cashier, an all-round role in a small coffee shop. I learned how to make coffee, serve customers, and perform tasks that were far from my degree and profession," he said.
Galang said he felt the weights easing on his shoulders in 2020 when he got a job as a teacher in Abu Dhabi. However, the school had financial issues and he did not get paid.
He returned to Dubai in 2021 and finally landed a job in the same year as teacher, where children with mixed disabilities were among his students.
Masters degree
By 2023 when he finished his masters program in special education, he moved to Dubai Autism Center (DAC) where he teaches persons with autism to this day.
"The youngest was 13 years old, and there was a 20-year-old. There were six students per classroom, different nationalities. I have an Indian, Emirati, Lebanese, and UK national," he said.
"Honestly," he added, "it is very challenging to teach children who has autism. You need to have patience and understanding."
Galang said there were days when he would "feel tired and drained, especially when some of them go with behaviors all at the same time."
He teaches essential for living and uses applied behavioral analysis to improve their daily skills and behavior, he said.
"What keeps me going are their small victories, when they learn something new and they have progress, that's when I feel that all my efforts are not wasted. And I really meant to do this," he said.
Recognition
On October 11, 2025, Galang, along with 4 other Filipino teachers, were recognized by the Filipino International Teachers' Society UAE, for their outstanding accomplishments. Six others were commended for their inspiring contributions.
"Being awarded as one of the Outstanding Filipino Educators in the UAE 2025, Aries Galang truly deserves this recognition because of his unwavering dedication to teaching, his innovative approach in the classroom, and his selfless service to the community. His passion for education, commitment to excellence, and continuous effort to uplift others through volunteer work and free review sessions make him a true role model and inspiration to all Filipino educators in the UAE," said Federico Dulla, president of the Filipino International Teachers' Society.
The organization, which is a part of the bigger Filipino Social Club, is acknowledged and licensed by the UAE government. The recognition was also noted by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Galang's alma mater, the City College of Angeles (CCA).
The city council of Angeles City, Pampanga passed a resolution on October 28, 2025 honoring Galang for his work.
Aside from working as a special educator, Galang also tutors children with autism on the side, and on weekends, he pursues his doctorate degree. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
