Shortly after presenting his credentials to the Portuguese government, Ambassador Lhuillier attended the Sinulog celebration organized by the Filipino Catholic community in Lisbon. Ambassador Lhuillier was very thankful for the warm welcome given by the Filipino community. He further affirmed during the special occasion his desire to protect the rights and provide better opportunities for our kababayans in the said country.

Capping up the first month of 2013, Ambassador Lhuillier visited Federico Costa, President of Turismo de Portugal in Lisbon, Portugal during a courtesy call on January 24. He discussed how the Philippines could greatly help in promoting tourism in the Southeast Asian region. Thus, this partnership will also allow the Portuguese nation to gain knowledge about the richness of the Filipino culture.

Ambassador Lhuillier was born on July 23, 1945 to parents Henry Lhuillier, a former French Honorary Consul for 30 years and Angelita Escaño Jones, former President of Alliance Francaise in Cebu. He is happily married to Ms. Edna Villanueva Diago of Dumaguete and they are blessed with seven successful children. He is a proud graduate of De LaSalle University - Manila and speaks fluent Spanish and French. His late father was the founder of Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop in the Philippines, recognized as the world’s largest pawnshop company with over 1,500 branches all over the country. In 2000, the Philippe J. Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (PJLFI) was established, and has since undertaken numerous community outreach and public service programs.

Ambassador Lhuillier is grateful to President Benigno S. Aquino III for giving his trust and confidence in representing the Philippines in Portugal and for the opportunity to deliver public service to the overseas Filipino communities.