Duterte says complexion due to visits to military camps, 'whitening' cream

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday admitted consulting with a dermatologist in an attempt to dispel notions that the discoloration of his face is a sign of a serious illness. 

Duterte claimed his complexion has darkened because of his weekly visits to military camps. He said his visit to Jordan last month also contributed to the discoloration of his face. 

"Ako kita mo nangitim...Nasunog, pumunta ako ng Jordan, sunog na ito, pumunta ako ng kampo every week, pumunta ka ng kampo sa bukid, pinakamalayong kampo lumilipad ako dun (My complexion darkened. It got sunburned. I would go to camps every week, even the farthest ones)," the president said during a business conference in Manila. 

'Whitening creams don't work'

Duterte said that, unlike his partner Honeylet Avanceña, he hates using whitening cream.

"My wife uses cream. She uses Shisheido...one, two, three, four. It was the first time I saw a medicine that is like a rocket, like a booster," the president said. 

"One, sabunan mo sige. Two mahapdi na. Three, four, five tapos meron pa yung maliit. Yung sa asawa mo, okay na 'yan. Pagtingin ko, p****** bakit nangitim ako lalo?"

It was the first time Duterte blamed whitening creams for his skin discoloration.

Duterte went on to talk about his use of a whitening cream, which he claimed did not work. 

One, sabunan mo sige (apply soap). Two mahapdi na (it felt painful). Three, four, five tapos meron pa yung maliit (apply a small amount)," he said.  

"Yun sa asawa mo okay na yan. Pagtingin ko, p****g i** bakit nangitim ako lalo (My wife is okay but when I looked at myself. son of a b****, my skin became darker)."

Duterte said things improved when he consulted a female dermatologist. 
 
"A dermatologist visited me, she’s a lady but she’s very good. Hindi na masyado. Maitim man talaga ako. Lolo ko, Aprikano eh (It's not that dark anymore. I am really dark. My grandfather is African)," the president said in jest. 

Duterte said the dermatologist advised him to use two skin problem solutions but did not elaborate.

The president took potshots at critics who claim that he is seriously ill. 

"Third stage cancer of the brain? So what else? I have kidney problem, part of it isalready gone. And my heart beats 120 miles per hour. Who won't I die? Just wait," he said. 

"For me, a man is not really measured by the color of your skin on the face. It's the character."