DAVAO CITY — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte celebrated his 65th birthday on Sunday with the poorest of the poor in this city. In his unusual birthday activity, Duterte was given a surprise birthday party by residents and officials of Barangay Bankerohan Sunday evening.

City Councilor and former barangay captain of Bankerohan Edgar Ibuyan said the birthday party held at the underpass of Bankerohan bridge and stone’s throw away from the public market was a surprise party sponsored by the barangay council for Mayor Duterte.

Ibuyan said he invited about 3,000 residents of Bankerohan for the party and told Mayor Duterte earlier that day that they will just have a simple “salo-salo” on the evening.

What was expected by the mayor as a simple salo-salo turned out to be a grand party however as lechons, pansits, cakes and other delicacies that most Bankerohan residents could only eat once in a blue moon were served to the partygoers.

A makeshift stage was also erected in the middle of the road and entertainers delighted the crowd as they waited for the arrival of the birthday celebrant.

Duterte arrived at 7 p.m. of March 28 and he was greeted with a birthday song by the residents who lined up to shake the hands of the mayor.

Also arriving at the party were Duterte’s grandchildren who have been looking for him all day to greet him. Vice Mayor Sara Duterte and husband, Mans Carpio, also joined the mayor in party. Councilors Mabel Sunga Acosta and Hugpong partymates Nilo Abellera Jr., Leah Librado and Joel Virador were also in attendance.