Philippe Jones Lhuillier is a Filipino diplomat, businessman and philanthropist. He is the current Philippine ambassador to Spain. From 1999 to 2010, he was the ambassador to Italy and the chairman of the Philippine’s largest pawnshop chain, Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop. He was born to the late Henry Lhuillier and the late Angelita Escaño Jones.
Before being assigned to Portugal, Lhuillier was the Philippine ambassador to Italy in 1999, Albania in 2000, and San Marino in 2003 where he held the distinction of being the first Philippine ambassador to that country. His terms of office in these countries ended in January 2010.
Awards and recognition
Lhuillier receive numerous awards for his work. He was awarded by the government of the Republic of Italy with the Ordine Della Stella Della Solidarieta Italiana Award for his significant achievement in fostering goodwill between Italy and the Philippines. The order is bestowed through a decree by Italy’s President through the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is the highest Italian award given to foreigners as well as Italians living abroad. Amb. Lhuillier was conferred the Order of Rajah Humabon by Cebu City on its 73rd Charter Anniversary on February 24, 2010 for promoting economic development and tourism. In 2008, he was unanimously selected as one of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad for his promoting the image of Filipinos while serving his post as Philippine ambassador to Italy, Albania and San Marino. De la Salle University awarded him the Distinguished La Sallian Award for his record as Ambassador to Italy and his assistance to the Filipino OFWs. The University of the Philippines also honored him by naming one of its lecture rooms as Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier Lecture Room. On April 16, 2010, Saint Louis University conferred on Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa.
Personal life
Philippe is married to Edna Villanueva Diago Lhuillier daughter of Sugar Planter Vicente Diago and Marina Pinili Villanueva of Bais CityNegros Oriental. They have two sons, Jean Henri Lhuillier and Philippe Andre D. Lhuillier, and five daughters, Christine Lhuillier-Limjoco, Jacqueline Lhuillier-Hess, Angelique Lhuillier-Miranda, Camille D. Lhuillier, and Madeleine D. Lhuillier.
