Duterte shows Abe his “simple” life in Davao City  

January 13, 2017

DAVAO CITY - After seeing for himself the "simple" life of President Rodrigo Duterte and tasting the infamous durian fruit in Davao City, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left on Friday for Australia, the second leg of his four-nation trip.

On board the Japanese Air Force One, Abe, accompanied by his wife, Akie, left the Francisco Bangoy International Airport here at 12:43pm. After Sydney, Abe will proceed to Indonesia and Vietnam before heading back to Tokyo.

Prior to his departure, Duterte hosted Abe and his wife Akie to  breakfast in his home at a subdivision here, which could not be considered as a posh one.

According to Presidential Communications  Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Banaag, Duterte invited Abe to his house because he wanted him to "feel at home" and for him to feel that "we are more than friends, we are brothers."

Duterte even showed his bedroom to Abe and explained why a white mosquito net was partly hanging on the bed, said Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go, who joined the two leaders and an interpreter, inside the bedroom of the two-storey house.

While looking outside the window, Duterte explained his neighborhood to Abe, Go added.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe interacts with the neighbors of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte before entering the

residence of the President at Doña Luisa Village in Davao City on January 13, 2017. Presidential Photo

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds a stuffed toy resembling a Philippine eagle which he named "Sakura" while President Rodrigo Duterte applauds at

Waterfront Hotel. Others in photo are (from Left): Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez, Mrs. Akie Abe, and Honeylet Avancena.

 Duterte presented to Abe a replica and a framed picture of the rescued eagle.

During their lunch, Abe and his wife tasted durian, a thorny fruit with pungent smell, and other fruits being grown in Davao. Duterte  gave Abe a Barong Tagalog, the Philippine national dress, made of pineapple fiber, as a present.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe eats durian with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte after attending various events at the

Waterfront Hotel in Davao City on January 13, 2017. Presidential Photo

The two leaders were not in formal attire during the events:- Duterte wore  a checkered blue polo shirt and brown pants, and Abe, white polo and gray pants.

"Basically, with the visit here in Davao, the objective is to be more relaxed, more friendly atmosphere (between the two leaders)," Banaag said, noting "yesterday in Malacanang was different. This one is a lot lighter."

Duterte first received Abe in Malacanang in Manila on Thursday when the latter announced the one trillion yen that Japan would be extending to the Philippines over the next five years.

Abe was the first world leader who visited Davao and invited by Duterte to his home since he assumed office six months ago. The 71-year old president was mayor here for about two decades.

During the trip here, Mrs. Abe visited Mintal Public Cemetery,  where remains of some Japanese, who emigrated 100 years ago, could be found.

Japan First Lady Akie Abe bows in prayer before a tomb at the Japanese cemetery in Mintal, Davao Cityy on January 13, 2017 where early

Japanese settlers are buried. The visit is part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s two-day state visit in the country. Presidential Photo

 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gives 'high fives' to students of Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku in Davao City during his visit on

January 13, 2017. Presidential Photo