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TESDA Abra success story

BANGUED, Abra (Sept. 25) — Roque Joseph, Jr. or Abdul to friends could have opted to become an engineer. However, when he graduated from the Abra School of Arts and Trades (now the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology) he opted to be an auto mechanic. His reason is simple, “I am like my father.”

Abdul belongs to an affluent Tingguian family from the mountain municipality of Luba. His grandfather, Ama Kisip, was a known “pangat” or tribal leader and served several times as town mayor. His parents tried to carry on the political torch but failed due to factors that their conscience could not accept as the present-day elections are now marred with vote-buying and terrorism. This resulted to their migration to the capital town of Bangued.

His father, Roque Joseph, Sr., a retired seaman, established the Mossad Auto Shop in 1994. The shop carries the named of one of his youngest son, Mossad whom he named after the last tanker ship which he has served. With his skill, diligence, and good relations with their customers, their auto shop progressed and eventually became the biggest in town.

His father introduced Abdul at a young age to the rudimentary of car engines and came to love it. Being the eldest boy among nine siblings, he was prepared by his father to take over their business early. His mother, a former teacher and a practicing reflexologist was supportive of the idea.

After he finished high school, Abdul took a six-month auto mechanic course at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Pidigan. With his knowledge and familiarity with cars and their engines, he was way ahead of his classmates in their auto-mechanics course. As proof of his diligence and skill, he topped the engine trouble competition during the Provincial Skills Olympics in 2002.

Unfortunately, his father died of cardiac arrest the following year. The family tragedy could have been more painful and economically destructive if not for the fact that Abdul has already been professionally equipped by TESDA with the necessary know-how, for him to take over the responsibilities of his father. At a young age of 21, he now runs their business and proudly carries on the legacy of his father.

Their modest income from their car repair shop has helped a lot in the education of his siblings. Cherry hopes to graduate this year as a medical technologist at the St. Louis University in Baguio City where her younger sister Juvy is also a junior medical technology student. Aga is a seminarian at the Divine Word Formation Center in Urdaneta City, while the youngest, Arianne will graduate this year in high school. Liza, their second eldest sister, is currently teaching at the St. Joseph Seminary in Bangued, while their eldest, Minnie, married, is working in Macau.

To carry on the family trade, Abdul encouraged Mossad to take the same course that he took at TESDA. After all, Mossad carries the name of their progressive family motor shop. Mossad recently finished his auto-mechanics course and is now one of the four expert mechanics of the Mossad Auto Shop. # Frank B. Asia /PIA Abra

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