Mariano Que | |
---|---|
Born | 14 August 1921 |
Died | 14 April 2017 | (aged 95)
Occupation(s) | Petty trader, [1] Businessman |
Spouse | Estelita de Jesus |
Children | 8 |
Mariano Que (14 August 1921 - 14 April 2017) was a Chinese Filipino businessman best known for being the founder of the pharmacy chain Mercury Drug.
Born in 1921, [2] Que worked as an employee at Farmacia Central, a major pharmacy owned by Jose Tee Han Kee along Calle Rosario (now Quintin Paredes Street) in Manila, prior to the onset of World War II. [3] He was orphaned during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. [4]
After the war ended in 1945, Que bought ₱100-worth of Sulfathiazole pills. He sold these drugs in single doses and using his savings decided to buy an assortment of medicine which he later peddled through a pushcart. [5] [6] He would eventually found Mercury Drug in Bambang on March 1, 1945. [4] Mercury Drug would open its second store in 1963. [4] In 1972, Mercury would acquire the Tropical Hut fast-food and supermarket chain. [7] [8]
Mercury expanded outside Metro Manila with the acquisition of Medical Center Drug Corporation, a medical supplies and equipment manufacturer, in 1976. [4]
Que's daughter Vivian Azcona, would take over Mercury and become company president, following Que's retirement. [5]
Que died on April 14, 2017, at age 95. [9]
Que was married to Estelita de Jesus and had 8 children. [5]