On September 24, Consul Cunanan and Mr. Norman Camungol, Director of Educational Cooperation Programs of the Georgian Consulate, were the guests of former Congressman Erin Tanada on his top-rated TV show “Frontliners” which airs every Wednesday on UNTV, a nationwide UHF news channel. The topic of the interview was Georgian – Philippine relations, specifically the many cultural and economic activities that the Consulate, led by Consul Cunanan, is carrying out.

Consul Cunanan enumerated the many pioneering accomplishments of his office, which include the first sister-city agreement between Georgia and the Philippines and the first cultural and mass-media initiatives to promote Georgian interests in the country. Consul Cunanan also talked about his long association with Georgia, starting with his founding of the Philippine – Georgian Business and Friendship Association over ten years ago. He also discussed his aid and assistance to Georgian nationals in the Philippines.

For his part, Mr. Camungol talked about the landmark first educational agreements between Georgia and the Philippines, specifically the academic MOUs signed between Caucasus University and Lyceum of the Philippines University and San Sebastian College Recoletos. Consul Cunanan and Mr. Camungol also discussed the Georgian economy and the opportunities available for Philippine businessmen, particularly in the field of manufacturing. Mr. Camungol, who is also President of the Production and Operations Management Association of the Philippines (PROMAP), said his organization is very keen to explore possibilities with Georgia and that some of its members are eyeing the country as a manufacturing base.

Consul Cunanan also laid out the Consulate’s plans for the near future. These include the exhibition of a Philippine artist in Georgia, the first cultural initiative of the Philippines in the Caucasus, in partnership with the Georgian National Gallery. The event will be held in late November. This will be followed by the showing of a Philippine film in the Tbilisi International Film Festival in early December. In January 2015, Consul Cunanan and Mr. Camungol will welcome the first educational delegation from Georgia, composed of top officials of Caucasus University.