“When your country demands service of you,” Tonet Lagdameo once told Tatler, “ I’m sure the patriot in you will never be able to say no.” He was speaking about his reappointment in February 2017 as the Philippines’ ambassador to the court of St. James's and Ireland.

Lagdameo revealed he has been thinking of retirement, but could not help but accept the offer to take up the role he’s filled once before, from 2009 to 2010. As a two-time ambassador to the United Kingdom, he has worked on several initiatives that serve Filipino workers stationed in his host country, as well as efforts to champion Filipino culture.

Shortly before he became the Philippines’ man in London, Lagdameo was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as official envoy to Mexico in 2007. He then served as chief emissary to Spain before his first stint in the UK. Earlier in his career, Lagdameo worked in the private sector, accruing experience he would eventually apply as a diplomat, leading embassies.

He is also the first Filipino to be elected president of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).