Rey Mercado: “I may consider that all my dreams have been fulfilled.”
Ray and Brenda Mercado pose with their son Ray Cyril at his ninth-grade graduation ceremony in Abqaiq. The Mercados are leaving Aramco after more than three decades with the company.
Tennis and bowling enthusiast Rey Mercado is retiring on May 31 after a happy and fulfilling 30-year career at Aramco.
Mercado arrived in 1992 from the Philippines as a fresh-faced 29-year old with a degree in accounting.
“I came to Saudi Arabia prepared with a heart full of dreams, hopes, and determinations, especially for my family,” Mercado said.
“After 30 years and nine months of service with the company, I may consider that all my dreams have been fulfilled.”
— Rey Mercado
He worked his way up from statistical assistant to senior Planning and Performance Management analyst in the Sea Water Injection Department, first at Mubarraz and then from 1997 at Qurayyah. For the past two years, Mercado has been in Abqaiq working with Southern Area Oil Producing.
A Family Adventure
After marrying Brenda in 1995, Mercado admitted to missing his growing family while he lived in ‘Udhailiyah and Abqaiq bachelor camps. This changed when his family joined him in-Kingdom in 2007. Rey and Brenda raised daughter Marielle and sons Ray Bryan and Ray Cyril in Abqaiq.
Their children participated in Community Services events such as birthday parties, swimming, basketball, bowling, and international cuisine days before returning to the Philippines to continue their education. Marielle now has a B.S. degree in operations management, while Ray Bryan has a B.S. degree in architecture. Ray Cyril is currently in the 10th grade.
Mercado served as treasurer of both the Abqaiq Tennis Club and the Triple A Abqaiq Chapter, and has been a member of the Abqaiq Bowling Association since 2020. He particularly enjoyed team tennis and bowling tournaments, where he made many friends while competing against other Aramco communities.
Fun, Family, and Food
Mercado is already reflecting fondly on his long career with Aramco and he will take from Saudi Arabia half a lifetime’s worth of happy memories.
“For sure we will miss it, especially our Aramco friends and the food,” he said, adding that he will long for the flavors of kabsa, shawarma, and shish tawook. “When you eat kabsa, you eat together with your friends when there is a gathering.”
Mercado is now preparing himself for his retirement in the Philippines where he will be busy as ever. Having traveled to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, Rey and Brenda are looking forward to widening their horizons further, with Brenda especially keen to visit Japan and other tourist places in the Philippines.
“My family and I are very thankful and grateful to Aramco for the opportunity and for giving us a wonderful and great life, which we will cherish forever.”
— Rey Mercado
Those wishing to keep in touch with Rey and his family after retirement can email him at mercadorey@yahoo.com.
— The Arabian Sun: May 22, 2023