On International Children’s Day, Honorary Georgian Consul Thelmo Cunanan Jr and his partners inaugurated the “Georgia – Philippines Friendship Park” in Tbilisi, Georgia. Officially called “Mabuhay!” (Filipino for “Live!”), this is the first such park in Georgia and the entire Caucasus region and is a symbol of enduring friendship and strong relations between the Philippines and Georgia.

Among the officials present during the inauguration were Tbilisi Mayor David Narmania; Honorary Philippine Consul General Teimuraz Chichinadze; Nika Gogoli, Managing Director of the Batumi International Container Terminal (BICT) LLC; Zura Gurielidze, Director of Tbilisi Zoo; and Levan Akhvlediani, Co-Chairman of the Philippines – Georgia Business and Friendship Association. The event was emceed by Mzia Sharashidze, Public Relations Director of Tbilisi Zoo.

The Friendship Park, which is located inside Tbilisi Zoo, was an initiative of Consul Cunanan, in partnership with Mr. Gurielidze and BICT, which generously provided the funding for the project. The park consists of multiple, eco-friendly, weather-resistant, wooden structure and playgrounds for the enjoyment of Georgian families.

“I would like to thank Consul Cunanan and his partners for this project. As you know, we had a terrible tragedy last year. This park is a symbol of our friendship with the Philippines and their help to us during our time of need,” said Mr Gurielidze. For his part, Consul Cunanan thanked all those who supporter the project. “I would like to express our deep gratitude to BICT for its generosity. Without them, we would never have done this,” he said.

Mayor Narmania, who was the guest of honor, had this to say: “This is the first park of its kind in Tbilisi and we are very thankful to the Philippines for this gift of friendship. We are especially grateful to Consul Cunanan for his work. He has done many things for Tbilisi and Georgia.”

Consul Cunanan has been actively helping Tbilisi Zoo. In June 2015, the zoo was heavily damaged by a freak flood that hit the capital, resulting in the deaths of several employees and many animals. In the aftermath, Consul Cunanan was able to secure emergency funds for the rehabilitation of the park. Consul Cunanan, who is also chairman of Zoo Crew Philippines, is also working closely with Mr. Gurielidze secure wildlife species from the Philippines and Africa.