Queen Elizabeth Awards Filipino Driver British Empire Medal

Roland Quitevis, a Filipino driver, was awarded the British Empire Medal by no less than Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom for his 33 years of service at the UK Embassy in Manila.

British Ambassador Daniel Pruce announced this in an earlier statement, calling it a “thoroughly well-deserved recognition.”

In his 33 years of working at the UK Embassy, Quitevis served as the official driver to eight of Queen Elizabeth’s Ambassadors to the Philippines.

The sixth of eight children, Quitevis was born in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur. He moved to Manila at the age of 22.

“My first job was actually in the British Embassy, where I started off as a messenger. After I was regularized, I obtained the necessary skills and was promoted to become the official driver of the Ambassador,” said Quitevis.

“Like family and always with utmost respect”

Quitevis shared via the official platform of the British Embassy on social media that every moment he spent working there “has been unforgettable.” The Ambassadors have treated him “like family and always with utmost respect.”

“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.

A lot of opportunities have also opened for him, including two comprehensive driving courses in the UK in 1999 and 2013. These have helped him expand and develop his skills in his field of work.  

“On both occasions, I was able to attend specialized training and boot camps where I was taught how to act in situations that demand urgent response, such as precautionary checks that need to be done to make sure that the car is safe to use and keeping the Ambassador away from harm in critical conditions,” he said.

He adds that he learned how to maintain an “alert yet relaxed and calm disposition,” which reflects in the overall environment in the vehicle he drives.

Meeting the Royal Family

In his years of working for the UK Embassy, Quitevis was also able to drive for members of the Royal Family when they visit the Philippines, including Prince Andrew, Duke of York. He has also driven for Princess Anne and Prince Charles.

“It has been such a memorable experience for 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,” he said.

Quitevis was previously awarded the Service Recognition Award by Ambassador Stephen Lillie for his excellent service rendered. However, he acknowledges that his defining moment was when Ambassador Daniel Pruce presented him the opportunity of receiving the Honorary British Empire Medal. 

“Truly this is one for the books, and I will always be thankful to all Her Majesty’s Ambassadors that helped me reach this point in my career,” he said.