Victor Daza Mercado

.Vic Daza Mercado was born on July 20, 1944 to US Naval Chief, Jose Mercado (6/17/1896 – 6/14/1996) and loving mother and dressmaker, Oliva Mercado (6/3/1908 – 12/18/1968). Many people don’t know that Victor had a twin, Victoria. Vic was the 4th son and 8th child of eleven siblings total. Teofila Mercado Tranquilino* (s. Mario Tranquilino*), Caridad Mercado Alix (s. Hyde Alix*), Manuel Mercado* (s. Celia Mercado), Herminia Mercado Cabado (s. Ubaldo Cabdo), Teodorico Mercado (s. Lerma Mercado), Jose Jr. Mercado*, Aurora Mercado Argota, Victoria Mercado* (my dad’s twin sister), Ricamor Mercado Buendia (s. Oscar Buendia) and Louella Mercado Manzano (s. Fernando Manzano, Jr.).

*diseased

As a young boy, Vic, enjoyed being part of a large family as well as participating in various organizations. In 1959, when Vic was about 15 years old, he attended the Boy Scouts World Jamboree when it was held in the Philippines, which was a big deal to a young boy from the province. Vic also loved to dance and loved performing with his square dance troupe at various functions.

In 1964, Vic graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Foreign Service from the Lyceum of the Philippines. Shortly after graduating, Vic was employed by the US Naval Base in Subic Bay, Philippines as a Personnel Assistant and received the highest recommendations for Sustained Superior Performance in the Navy Incentive Awards Program. While working in the personnel department, Vic was most proud of being able to find employment opportunities for over 300 people from his hometown of Kawit, Cavite.

In March of 1971, Vic attended a party in Green Hills that changed his life forever because it was the first time he set eyes on Lourdes “Baby” Regular (his future wife and the love of his life.) It truly was love at first sight. In May of 1971, Vic moved to the US to pursue the American Dream and to join his brothers and sister who were already living in California. For the next several months, Vic and Lulu kept their romance alive through letters and long-distance phone calls.

On January 1, 1973, Vic and Lulu tied the knot in the Philippines, then moved into their first apartment in Los Angeles, California. On August 15, 1974 they welcomed their first son, Voltaire Joseph, into their lives. Three years later on February 11, 1977 their first daughter, Victoria Virginia, was born. Then on January 19, 1979 Valerie Jo, their second daughter entered the world. Finally, on November 26, 1985, the youngest child, Veronica Jamie, was born and completed the Mercado family.

Later in 1973, Vic started working at Pacific Bell/SBC Global and retired after 28 years of service as a Telecommunications Specialist. After a few weeks of retirement, Vic got into the real estate business, so he can work side by side with his lovely wife, Lulu. Together, in 1990 they opened their own real estate brokerage, “Realtyworld” and “US Market Finance Center” and ran it together.

In 2003, Vic suffered from hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain) and had undergone a serious brain operation, where a shunt was implanted into his brain to drain the excess liquid. By God’s Grace, Vic recovered successfully from that operation and was given 13 bonus years of life.

In 2006, Vic was blessed with the opportunity to walk his oldest daughter, Vicky, down the aisle and welcome his 1st son-in-law, Greg Guinto, into the Mercado family. Vic was blessed once again in 2008, to walk his 2nd daughter down the aisle and gained a 2nd son-in-law, Eric Cruz, into our growing family. Later that same year on December 18th his first grandson, Gavin Rocco Mercado Guinto was born. In September of 2011, Vic was blessed with two more grandsons in the same week, Ethan Josiah Mercado Cruz (9/20/11) and Miles Garrison Mercado Guinto (9/25/11), two more boys born just 5 days apart. Vic’s most recent blessing arrived on August 5, 2014—his very 1st granddaughter, Charlie Madison Mercado Cruz.

Vic spent his “bonus years” with his beloved family—especially his beautiful and devoted wife. Wherever Lulu was, Vic was there too. And wherever Vic was, there was Lulu. They were a team like no other. Together, they volunteered a great deal of their time serving their parish, St. Joseph the Worker in Winnetka, as faithful parishioners for the past 34 years. All four of their children attended SJW. Vic was an honored member of the Knights of Columbus and took great pride in serving others. In 2005, both Vic and Lulu became active members of the Fil-Am Lions Club (a division of Lions International, the largest humanitarian organization in the world.) In 2007 - 2008, Vic was elected president of the Fil-Am Lions Club. Vic was also preparing to be inducted as the President-Elect of the Fil-Am Lions Club this year, for 2016 – 2017. During this time, both Vic and Lulu were also active members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce where Vic was the President in 2012. As a proud countryman, Vic was an active leader in the “Panimitan Association” and “The Kawiteños of Southern California ”—both were organizations comprised of his fellow “kababayans” (town mates) and family from his hometown of Cavite in the Philippines.

Vic loved being a “Lolo” (grandpa) more than anything. He taught his eldest grandson, Gavin, how to play chess, and never let him win. Vic wanted Gavin to earn every win and engrained in his ‘mini-me’ the art of “strategy” and they enjoyed playing chess often—it was their special game. Vic lived for his grandkids and loved making them laugh. He valued family above all.

Vic wore many hats (LITERALLY) and was known as the “cool uncle”. He treated EVERYONE like they were family. Whether you were selling encyclopedias—or one of his closest buddies, Vic would be sure to greet you with a tray of cookies and juice whenever visiting our house. And if you were a man, no matter what age you were, Vic would respectfully call you, “Young Man”. Vic’s warm, hospitable and generous personality was always coupled with a fun sense of humor, which will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Although, we must bid farewell to our dear Vic for now—his legacy will live on forever through his loving wife, children and grandchildren who find comfort in knowing that Vic will continue to be with us always as our own special Guardian Angel.