COVER STORY
A LEGACY OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP:
Honoring Ms. Vivian Que-Azcona and Mercury Drug’ s 80-Year Journey
By Mayan G. Sangil Co-Editor In Chief, Philippine Retailing Magazine PRA Deputy Secretary General
In an industry where success is often measured in expansion and visibility, Ms. Vivian Que-Azcona stood apart. With her quiet conviction and enduring grace, she led Mercury Drug not from the frontlines of publicity, but from a place of purpose, steadily guiding the company through decades of growth while remaining deeply rooted in its mission of service. As President from 1998 until her passing in 2025, she left behind more than a thriving business— she built a legacy defined by humility, consistency, and care for both people and community.
This year marks Mercury Drug’ s 80th anniversary – a significant milestone in Philippine retail history. But beyond commemorating decades of corporate success, the celebration is also a tribute to the woman who shepherded the company through transformation while staying true to its founding principles. Through this story, the Philippine Retailers Association honors the life and legacy of one of the most respected figures in the industry who is also a longtime PRA Board Member and advocate for Philippine retail.
A Steady Ascent in the Family Legacy
Vivian Que-Azcona was the eldest daughter of Mercury Drug founder, and Father of Health and Wellness Retailing, Dr. Mariano Que. After earning her B. S. Pharmacy degree cum laude from the
University of Santo Tomas in 1977, she immediately joined the family business. With humility and discipline, she learned the intricacies of pharmacy retailing under her father’ s direct mentorship, gaining hands-on experience across every department: warehousing, distribution, store operations, merchandising, training, marketing, finance, and management.
By 1980, she had been appointed Assistant General Manager, rising to Vice President and General Manager in 1984, and eventually becoming President in 1998. While many recognized her as part of a successful business family, those who worked closely with her saw a leader who quietly mastered every facet of the business— and who remained deeply rooted in its mission of service.
Leading with Service and Simplicity
Ms. Vivian’ s leadership was marked by a deep sense of purpose. Under her stewardship, Mercury Drug grew into a nationwide network of over 1,200 stores and more than 14,000 employees – the largest employer of pharmacists in the country. Yet behind these numbers was a leader who believed that true success was measured not in size or scale, but in service.
Her advocacy for employee welfare was unmatched. She believed and set up the“ promotion-from-within” policy and established the EJQ Training Institute, a modern facility that offers year-round professional development for Mercury Drug personnel. She ensured that employees received generous benefits not only during their employment but even in retirement, through a lifetime pension – a rare practice in Philippine retail.
On the customer front, Ms. Vivian spearheaded various innovations that shaped the pharmacy experience for Filipinos. These included the Gamot Padala delivery options, Drive-Thru stores( a first in the industry), pharmacy counseling, the Suki Card loyalty program, Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care specialty corners, and mercuryTV for in-store health education among many others. These services helped Mercury Drug remain not just relevant, but a trusted drug store in the country, meeting the needs of communities with care and convenience.
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