JUN TRASPORTO

Mechanical Engineer-Banker
turned Pro Coach/Businessman

By Leah Espineda

Jun Trasporto is one of the first 13 bowling pro shop professionals in the world to have earned a technical certification from the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructor Association (IBPSIA). He is also the only one in Ontario who is a Certified Technical Instructor of IBPSIA, the only three of the pro shop operators in Canada who have achieved this recognition. He is one of the Technical Instructors who is responsible for updating the current ball drilling manual currently used in the association’s hands-on training. This manual sets the professional standard for foundational technical knowledge and services of today’s pro-shop industry. From the Philippines, he came to Canada with a degree in mechanical engineering and a wealth of experience working in the banking industry. Now, with his outstanding achievements as a pro bowling coach and pro shop owner, Jun shares his experiences as an immigrant and his transition to becoming what he is today.

“One of my major struggles as a new immigrant was that, I did not let go right away. 
I continued to hang on instead of putting the past behind and starting with a clean slate.”

Jun grew up within the confines of the employee housing compound of La Carlota Sugar Central, Negros Occidental where his father was employed. Growing up in a manufacturing environment, it inspired him to become one of those hard helmeted mechanical engineers. Right after his graduation from the University of Iloilo in 1976, he opted to try his luck in the big City of Manila. He considered himself lucky when it came to finding a job in Manila as he was offered a position with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), one of the top most sought employers in the Philippines. This is where he met his wife, Malou Dimaguila from Novaliches, Quezon City where both of them worked for almost 11 years. Afterwhich, his wife was accepted and given an independent immigrant visa to Canada. Although he was not very keen in migrating to Canada considering they both had decent and secured jobs, Malou was able to encourage and convince Jun. Believing in the wise saying that goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” they ended up in the grass of Toronto with Malou arriving earlier, followed by him. For the couple, working with the Asian Development Bank for more than a decade exposed them to the bank’s challenging multiculturalism. This enabled them able to cope and fit into their new home in Toronto with no difficulties.

Asked about his first experience in looking for a job, Jun strongly responded with, “It was intense and dreadful!” He thought that with an independent immigrant visa, he rightfully assumed that one of the criteria was based either on their work experience or educational attainment. He expected to be pursuing a career in banking or in the engineering field because of his work experience and degree in mechanical engineering but, as Jun said with a slight hint of disappointment, “he was wrong”. As his wife was the principal applicant, they factored the approval based on her qualifications. Getting a job did not present any problem because of her secretarial skills but not for him. Recession was on the rise during that period (1989-1990) and for a new immigrant without the so called “Canadian Experience,” this forced him to accept odd jobs which, unfortunately, he did not enjoy doing. This led me to ask Jun what he considered to be his major struggle as a new immigrant and his response was one that some of us could relate as he said, “One of his major struggle as a new immigrant was that I did not let go right away. I continued to hang on instead of putting the past behind and starting with a clean slate.” He said he kept thinking and comparing how easy their lives were in Manila than in Toronto. Having said that, he was fortunate enough not to plunge into a state of complete depression. To this, I thought, what an admirable attitude!

He gives full credit to his wife for overcoming those struggles. As he spoke of his wife’s sustained support and deep understanding and how he strongly believes she is able to read him like a book, it strengthens your conviction that having a strong, solid relationship with your life partner is so important especially in difficult times.

During those first years, Jun took a job in a production line of a pharmaceutical firm in Mississauga and was earning a decent income. However, his lack of interest and restrained motivation made him so unhappy. He became intolerant and edgy so his wife then suggested for him to find a job that he would enjoy doing. At that time, he was at the bowling center almost everyday bowling so he thought he might as well get a job in the center. He thought that despite the fact that the pay was not as good as in the pharmaceutical firm, at least he could practice bowling for free. This is how his bowling career started in Canada. In the Philippines, he was already involved in tenpin bowling competitions and as President of Tenpin Bowling Association of Makati, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Philippine Bowling Congress. Little did he know then that he will be pursuing a career along this field.

He first developed interest in drilling when he saw that most ball drillers in the Greater Toronto Area and suburbs were drilling bowling balls with little thought, as how it has always been done. He said that regardless of the years that he gained experience in his pro shop business, he always considers himself a “newbie” primarily because of his readiness and willingness to learn new techniques, upgrade and improve his knowledge and skills in this profession to better serve his clientele. He is a firm believer of a good fitting and this is why he adapted the saying “It won’t hit if it doesn’t fit” as his pro shop slogan because he also believes that “nobody can teach or coach a bad fitting.” Jun is sure that he will be in this industry for the long haul simply because he really enjoys what he’s doing and he truly loves the game.

When asked about his achieved success as an immigrant and the current highlights of his career, Jun humbly responded that he was not certain as to which criteria to go along in order to be considered a successful immigrant. However, he said that if being content, happy and passionate in the job that he is currently doing is considered successful, then he is one of them. Jun’s current career highlights include being selected by the Korean Bowling Congress in July 2006 as the technical coach for the Korean National Team. In September 2006, the men’s team won their very first gold medal in the World Championships and made history in this tournament as the only team to have won both gold and silver medals in the Trio Event. In December 2006, during the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, the Korean Men’s and Women’s Bowling National Team collected a total of 11 medals (4 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze). He also conducted a 2-day advance ball drilling seminar sponsored by the Korea Bowling Congress in Seoul as part of their coaching certification requirements. 120 Korean bowling coaches were in attendance. He is also included in the prestigious list of Bowler’s Journal International (BJI’s) 100 Top Coaches of 2007. Recently, he accepted a coaching job from the Qatar Bowling Federation to help improve the game of their current national team and help set up the Qatar players’ development program. He leaves for Qatar this August.

As we were close to wrapping up the interview, Jun shares these words of advice to people from his country, the Philippines, intending to immigrate to Canada which I quote, “Make sure that this is the intent of what you desire for. If you are married, make certain that this is really what you want and that both of you are ready to tackle and make some sacrifices to achieve your aspirations. Think twice so they say. If there are signs of hesitation, chances are you’re not ready and you will likely feel the guilt later. And remember... snow looks good only in postcards but not in reality!” For the new immigrants, Jun has this to say, “Establish your “Plan A”. If this doesn’t work, set up your “Plan B” or even “Plan C”. Most importantly, try one strategy at a time and be ready to accept changes without hesitation at any given time.”

With these words, we ended the interview and with thoughts that if you’re an immigrant and you’re reading this, you are not alone in your struggles. Someday, somehow, with the right attitude and mind set, hard work and perseverance, you are all going to make it in your new home country, Canada.

Profile of the Month is a regular feature of immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds who share their stories about their struggles and successes as they establish their lives in Canada.  Through this feature, readers can relate with their own experiences, learn from their stories and hopefully, inspire those still struggling to make it in Canada.  How about you? Do you have a story to tell or know someone who does? Why don’t you email me at leah.espineda@gtathismonth.com and let’s share your story.