On December 8, 2013, Consul Cunanan visited the South African Embassy in Manila and met with Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso. In behalf of the Government of Georgia and the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in the Philippines, he extended his deepest condolences to Ambassador Nyamande-Pitso over the passing of former President Nelson Mandela, who died on December 5, 2013.
Expat Magazine, a Philippine-based lifestyle and luxury publication, has chosen to feature Consul Cunanan in its year-end (December 2013) issue, along with several other prominent personalities in Manila. Consul Cunanan has been promoting Georgian tourism and culture in many magazines, newspapers, and television programs in the Philippines. Earlier in the year, he wrote an article about Georgian cuisine for Expat Magazine.
Food Magazine, the leading culinary and lifestyle magazine in the Philippines, in its latest issue (December 2013 – January 2014) features the dinner presentation of traditional Georgian cuisine hosted and organized in late August by Consul Cunanan and famous food blogger, writer, and chef JJ Yulo. The aim of the dinner, the first of its kind in the Philippines, was to introduce the wonders of Georgian culinary tradition to prominent Filipino food aficionados and journalists.
Photo taken on November 13, 2013 at Philippine Coast Guard HQ with officials of the three participating bodies: Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena for the Coast Guard, Dr. Rodrigo Ong for Rescue Team 926, Consul Buddy Cunanan representing the South African contingent.
The Honorary Consulate of Georgia is participating in the relief effort for typhoon-devastated Leyte and surrounding provinces. Over ten million people were affected by the storm, the strongest in history and 3.5 times more powerful than Hurricane Katrina in the United States, that laid waste to vast areas and ravaged thousands of communities.