Engineer rebuilds homes, lives in Sulu

A place that has long been a battleground for countless aggressors and political hotheads is now being rebuilt by a native son who returned from overseas to give his old hometown some breathing space and better opportunities.

When engineer Michael Rasul Abubakar, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), set foot again in his homeland, he was more than aware of the lingering and deep-seated animosities in Sulu, which has long grappled with lawlessness and poverty.

Seeing that people were leaving the province in search of some semblance of peace and order and a better life, Abubakar took it upon himself to be an instrument of change.

"Why not rebuild this city? I’m an engineer after all," Abubakar said to himself.

Having worked as resident engineer at Wilson Murrow in Saudi Arabia for 23 years, Abubakar pushed for drastic development in his hometown by making his company, M. Abubakar Consolidated Engineering (MACE), a means to build decent and affordable abodes, whose template was set by the First Estate Subdivision in Patikul, Sulu.In time, Abubakar not only reconstructed homes, but also lives. The efforts of Abubakar, who, together with his wife, Dr. Onnong Sangkula-Abubakar, was one of the pioneer professional overseas contract workers in Saudi Arabia, will be recognized as he is set to receive an award for being one of the outstanding Overseas Filipino Entrepreneurs (OFEs).

The award will be given out by President Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III at the Go Negosyo Para sa mga OFWs at Balikbayans fair, the latest leg of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Concepcion, slated on Dec. 15-17 at Market! Market! Trade Halls A & B in Taguig.

"The award would accentuate my passion to awaken the long-abandoned aspiration of the people and communicate a strong message which is powerful enough to mobilize Sulu’s entry to a sustainable peace process," shared the 66-year-old Abubakar."My goal to revitalize Sulu is grounded on my belief to do something greater than I. am."

A project deemed sustainable with the support of the Sulu government and its people, The Sulu First Estate has already furthered its cause by rousing economic activities and generating employment for more than 80 families. The project, according to Abubakar, is a manifestation of a greater generalization that "if it’s possible in The First Sulu Estate, so can it be possible in all municipalities of Sulu."The modern community established by Abubakar boasts of complete amenities, cemented roads with sidewalks, effective drainage system, and 24-hour supply of electricity and water.

The future looks bright for Abubakar’s hometown, as the First Sulu Estate is being envisioned as a model community, a repository of the future leaders of Sulu – a place where the kinsfolk of Sulu can grow up and be reared in the most ideal environment.

"I am for the long haul, battling obstacles and confronting resistance towards a long-term engagement of laying the foundation for the future of Sulu," he said.

Abubakar obtained a degree in Civil Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, and later earned his Master’s in the Asian Institute of Management. He also completed an Administrative Management course at the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business in Makati City.