MANILA, Philippines – The past week was very busy for the highest official of the land, but on his birthday he gets a break.

On  Saturday, February 8, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III is quietly celebrating his 54th birthday in his official residence at Bahay Pangarap in Malacañang.

“May time siya para sa sarili niya at para sa kanyang pamilya (He has time for himself and his family)” Lacierda said.

He will also be spending his birthday with close friends. “Tradisyon sa amin, lalo na sa Kapampangan, magpakain (It is a tradition among Kapampangans to treat others to a meal),” Aquino said on Friday, February 7.

The week leading to his birthday was busy, starting with the closure of classroom backlogs on Monday, February 3, and ending with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Elsie Gaches Village – a government facility for persons with development and learning disabilities – on Friday.

In between, Aquino addressed issues on Hong Kong’s demand for apology and the dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea in a New York Times interview.

His statements earned backlash from China’s state-run Xinhua news agency. (READ: Palace on ‘Hitler’ comment: Aquino has right to express views)

Still, Aquino expressed gratitude for the past 54 years, and for his birthday wish, hoped for a more resilient Philippines.

“The things that we are aspiring for…are better communities more resilient to disasters, especially given that there are so many disasters that are still visiting our shores,” he added. – Rappler.com