Driver from Philippines honoured by Queen Elizabeth II

Muscat: A driver from the Philippines was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to UK-Philippines ties.

Daniel Pruce, the UK's Ambassador to the Philippines, made the announcement on social media.

"I am delighted to announce that Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II has honoured Mr Roland Quitevis with the British Empire Medal for his services to UK-Philippine Relations," Pruce wrote.

Quitevis, a native of Ilocos Sur, has worked at the UK's embassy in Manila for 33 years and served as the official driver to eight British ambassadors.

"This is a thoroughly well-deserved recognition of Roland's long service at the Embassy, mostly spent as the Ambassador's driver," Pruce added.

Looking back on his life, Quitevis said that he moved to Manila at the age of 22 and got his first job at the embassy.

He stated, "My first job was actually in the British Embassy, where I started off as a messenger. After I was regularised, I obtained the necessary skills and was promoted to become the official driver of the Ambassador. I remember being so grateful for the opportunity, which is why I have always loved every single day of it – come monsoon rains, heavy Manila traffic and day-to-day encounters with British Embassy staff in action."

He said he even had the opportunity to drive members of the British royal family, including Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne.

"It has been such a memorable experience to me to meet each one in person. In fact, during the most recent visit of Princess Anne to the country, she commented that I was very young when she first came to Manila and visited the indigenous community in Clark in the aftermath of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption," Quitevis stated.

Quitevis, who received the Service Recognition Award for excellent service from Ambassador Stephen Lillie, added that every moment with the ambassadors was unforgettable "as they have treated me like family and always with utmost respect."

"But the defining moment that I will always treasure was when Ambassador Daniel Pruce presented me the opportunity of receiving the Honorary British Empire Medal. Truly this is one for the books, and I will always be thankful to all HMAs (Her Majesty's Ambassadors) that helped me reach this point in my career."