MANILA - (UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to keep things simple as he turned 74 on Thursday, March 28.

In a speech in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on Tuesday, Duterte said he would just probably stay home and sleep on his birthday.

“Historically, ayaw ko talagang . . . ayaw kong mag-celebrate ng birthday. Gusto ko sa bahay lang matulog ako. And if there’s somebody that is really welcome to me, ‘yung mga anak ko, pati ‘yung apo ko,” Duterte said.

(Historically, I really don’t want to celebrate my birthday. I just want to stay at home and sleep. And if there’s somebody that is really welcome to me, that would be my children and grandchildren.)

As in his past birthdays, the President is expected to spend time with his family and friends in Davao City, said his spokesperson, Salvador Panelo.

“The presidency has not changed his simple lifestyle, no frills but certainly plenty of thrills,” Panelo said in a statement.

“We are certainly blessed and privileged to have someone as dedicated as President Duterte as the captain of our ship steering our flag carrier safely to a land he vowed to be free from drugs and crimes where each Filipino will enjoy a comfortable life.”

Duterte, the oldest to be elected Philippine president, has shunned parties even through his two-decade stint as Davao City mayor.

He previously said it has been a tradition in his family to keep things simple on such occasions.

The President did not have any big parties in the past two years, while his 71st birthday fell in the middle of the 2016 presidential campaign.

Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin, Southern Leyte to school teacher Soledad Roa and Vicente Duterte, who served in the pre-martial law cabinet of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Meanwhile, Paolo Duterte took to social media to greet his father.

"Happy Birthday Pa! Bisag unsa ka kabusy sa imong trabaho, usahay wa na kay tulog, pero makapangita ra gihapon ka og oras para kanamo. Daghang Salamat Pa!" Duterte wrote on Facebook.

(Happy Birthday Pa! No matter how busy you are, sometimes you don't even sleep yet you still have time for us. Thank you very much Pa!)

He also advised his father to take a rest, suggesting that he and his sister, Sara Duterte-Carpio, will handle his critics.

"Pahulay sad usahay, pasagdi ng mga tawo nga pabright-bright diha, si Inday nay bahala nila! hehehe Ug kanang mga irong buang Pa, ako nay bahala nila!" Paolo wrote.

(You should also take a rest sometimes. Just ignore those who are pretending to be bright, Inday will take care of them. And those mad dogs, I'll take care of them.)

"Hinaot nga kanunay ka nga anaa sa maayong panglawas aron sab nga makapadayon ka sa pagserbisyo sa katawhan," he added.

(I wish you good health always so you can continue serving the people.)