Antonio Manuel Lagdameo
Lagdameo in 2018
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations
Assumed office
July 5, 2022
Appointed byBongbong Marcos
Preceded byEnrique Manalo
Ambassador of the Philippines to the United Kingdom
In office
2017–2022
Appointed byRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byEvan P. Garcia
Succeeded byTeodoro Locsin Jr.
In office
2009–2010
Appointed byGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded byEdgardo B. Espiritu
Succeeded byEnrique Manalo
Ambassador of the Philippines to Spain
In office
August 23, 2008 – July 15, 2009
Appointed byGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded byJoseph Delano M. Bernardo
Succeeded byAna Ines de Sequera-Ugarte
Ambassador of the Philippines to Mexico
In office
2007–2008
Appointed byGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded byJusto Orros Jr.
Succeeded byFrancisco Ortigas III
Personal details
Children7 (including Antonio Jr.)
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines (AA)
University of the East (BA)
Ateneo de Manila University (MBA)
OccupationBusinessman, diplomat

Antonio Manuel "Tonet" Revilla Lagdameo (born June 13)[1] is a Filipino businessman and diplomat currently serving as the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations since 2022. Prior to that, he was the Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2022, and previously from 2009 to 2010.

From 2007 to 2008, he served as Ambassador to Mexico, with concurrent accreditation to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. From 2008 to 2009, he was Ambassador to Spain with concurrent jurisdiction over Andorra.

Early life and education

Lagdameo is the son of Ernesto Lagdameo, who was Ambassador to the United States from 1969 to 1971 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, and Pilar Revilla.[2]

He initially considered a career in medicine during his time at the University of the Philippines, where he obtained a pre-med associate in arts degree in 1961.[3] However, he later shifted his focus to business, leading him to earn a bachelor's degree in accountancy from the University of the East in 1964. Subsequently, he pursued further education, graduating in 1971 with a graduate in business administration from Ateneo de Manila University.[4][5]

Career

Lagdameo mostly worked in the private sector and business before his diplomatic career. His private office and civic affiliations include being chairman of the board of Carrije Holdings, beginning in 2000 and vice chairman for House of Travel Inc. beginning in 1998, among others.[4] In the 1990s, he was president of Lagbros Corporation and director-treasurer of the Industrial Underwriters and Commercial Corporation, and L & B Development Corporation.[2]

He served as the sixth chairman of the Philippine Racing Commission from 1994 to 1998. Prior to this role, he had been a commissioner since 1993 and a former director of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners (MARHO).[4][2]

Diplomatic career

Lagdameo's involvement in diplomacy began in 2007 when then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named him Ambassador to Mexico, with concurrent accreditation to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. He took over the role from Ambassador Justo Orros Jr., the former governor of La Union, who had passed away while in office in 2006.[6] Then, from 2008 to 2009, he was Ambassador to Spain and Andorra.[5][4]

Ambassador to the United Kingdom

In 2009, he was appointed as the Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland, which also made him the Ambassador to the International Maritime Organization. He held this role until the conclusion of the Arroyo administration in 2010. However, he returned to the same position in 2017 during the Duterte administration. As the ambassador, Lagdameo's primary focus was the well-being of the large Filipino community in the United Kingdom. He continued the practice of offering mobile consular services to Filipinos across his jurisdiction to streamline document processing. Additionally, he organized regular townhall gatherings at the embassy, known as "Kapihan sa Pasuguan" (Coffee at the Embassy), which provided Overseas Filipino Workers the opportunity to engage with high-level visitors. Furthermore, he actively promoted Filipino culture by collaborating with UK-based Philippine cultural organizations.[5]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lagdameo was involved in the monitoring of affected Filipinos in the UK and Ireland, especially those in the frontline employed as healthcare workers.[7][8] According to a 2019 report published by the National Health Service (NHS), Filipinos, who comprise around 19,000 of all NHS staff, are among the largest groups of NHS health workers, third to those who are identified as British and Indians.[9] In May 2020, he called on the NHS to protect Filipino healthcare workers following reports that of the 173 frontline health and care workers who died due to COVID-19, approximately 13% were of Filipino heritage.[10] Lagdameo was also involved in meetings which discussed the UK's vaccine development and access of ASEAN member states to said vaccines.[11]

During the commencement of the 32nd session of the International Maritime Organization Assembly in December 2021, Lagdameo was chosen as its president, representing a significant first for the Philippines. He received a nomination from the United Kingdom's representative and was seconded by the South African representative. This election held particular significance as it coincided with the World Maritime Theme for 2021, which centered on the essential role of seafarers in the future of shipping. The Philippines is a major supplier of seafarers in the global shipping and transport industry, making Lagdameo's appointment particularly relevant.[12]

Permanent Representative to the United Nations

In 2022, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Lagdameo as the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, succeeding Enrique Manalo, who had been appointed Foreign Affairs Secretary. He took his oath of office on July 5 and was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on August 31.[13] He presented his credentials to Secretary-General António Guterres on September 7, 2022.[4]

On October 28, 2023, the Philippines, represented by Lagdameo, faced criticism from certain groups for abstaining from voting on a United Nations resolution calling for an "immediate humanitarian truce" in Hamas-run Gaza amid the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. Lagdameo told the United Nations General Assembly that the Philippines expressed concern about the "state of civilian casualties" in the conflict but had reservations about the resolution, particularly due to the absence of a mention or condemnation of the 2023 Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of some Filipino workers.[14]

Personal life

Lagdameo is married to Linda Floirendo-Lagdameo,[15][5] daughter of Antonio Floirendo Sr.,[16] a close associate of Ferdinand Marcos. The couple celebrated their 50th golden wedding anniversary in November 2017.[17] They are the parents of former congressman Anton Lagdameo, currently serving as the Special Assistant to Bongbong Marcos and a member of his Cabinet.[18]

A horse racing enthusiast, Lagdameo, in his capacity as ambassador, shared a memorable moment from his meeting with Queen Elizabeth II during his presentation of credentials. During their initial encounter, the Queen recalled a horse race in which one of his horses had bested one of hers. The Queen displayed a sense of humor regarding the race's outcome, but also noted that the Queen Mother, had "taken it rather hard".[19]

References

  1. ↑ "IN PHOTOS | PH Embassy in UK holds Diplomatic Reception". TFC News. June 14, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Trinidad, Tony (June 26, 1994). "Chief Concern". Manila Standard. p. 22. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ Torib, Yashika F. (December 8, 2021). "PH envoy named president of IMO Assembly". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "New Permanent Representative of Philippines Presents Credentials | UN Press". press.un.org. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Antonio Lagdameo: Our Man in London". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  6. ↑ Contreras, Volt (April 23, 2006). "RP envoy to Mexico dies of cancer". Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 3, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  7. ↑ Esguerra, Darryl John (2020-10-29). "Over 700 Filipinos in UK, Ireland infected with COVID-19 — PH envoy". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  8. ↑ "Pinoy healthcare workers among frontliners in COVID-19 response in UK, Ireland: PH envoy". ABS-CBN News. April 4, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Pinoy health workers keep UK, Ireland breathing amid pandemic". Philippine News Agency. April 21, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Coronavirus: Call to protect Filipino health workers". BBC News. 2020-05-17. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  11. ↑ "Press Briefing of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque". Presidential Communications Office. October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Lagdameo elected IMO Assembly president, a PH first". PortCalls Asia. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  13. ↑ Bacelonia, Wilnard (August 31, 2022). "CA confirms Lagdameo as UN rep, Romualdez as ambassador to US". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Why the Philippines abstained from UN call for humanitarian truce in Gaza". ABS-CBN News. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Marcos Jr picks Anton Manuel Lagdameo as new PH envoy to United Nations". politics.com.ph. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  16. ↑ "Linda Lagdameo". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  17. ↑ Arcache, Maurice. "Lovely & golden". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  18. ↑ Flores, Helen. "Lagdameo named envoy to UN; Cua heads PCSO". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  19. ↑ "Philippines". Diplomat Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
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