Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte
Davao City (CNN Philippines) — Instead of throwing a lavish party for his family and friends, the birthday boy chose to stay at home and rest.
Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte veered away from the public's eye and opted to spend his 71st birthday privately with his family.
"There is no party and that has always been his way of celebrating his birthday," confirmed Christopher "Bong" Go, Duterte's executive assistant. "Today, he is at home, resting."
Go said Duterte relishes private moments and rest days as a needed break from the tight campaign schedule. He said Duterte is preparing for the battle ahead, with the campaign period closely approaching its final stretch.
In a recent interview, Duterte also told journalists he would spend the whole of his birthday sleeping.
"I will just be at home, sleeping. That has always been my celebration," he said.
Duterte's daughter Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio posted a photo on Instagram of her father and her son, Stingray. The boy celebrated his 3rd birthday Monday.
"#HappyBirthday Digong and Stingray. I wish you good health," she said.
The caption also talked about the celebrators' Zodiac sign -- Aries.
"Aries men are the boss. An Aries tends to be very competitive, but unlike some signs also has a strong sense of fair play - he wants to win for himself; to prove to the world he could do it - and isn't interested in deceit or cheating. He hates to be bossed around, or feel trapped," the caption read.
A week before his birthday, Duterte's supporters in Maasin City, Southern Leyte surprised him with a birthday song at the end of his sortie. They also gave him two birthday cakes.
Maasin is Duterte's birthplace.
