MANILA – Karla Estrada threw a successful surprise birthday party for her son, Daniel Padilla, who will turn 22 on Wednesday.

The gathering was held on Monday night and it was attended by people closest to the actor’s heart.

Among those who attended the celebration were ABS-CBN executives Carlo L. Katigbak, Charo Santos-Concio, Malou Santos and veteran filmmaker Olivia Lamasan.

Also at Padilla’s party were his leading lady Kathryn Bernardo and celebrities Vice Ganda, James Yap and Michela Cazzola, Hayden Kho and Vicky Belo, as well as the actor’s best friends.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Estrada said she really exerted a lot of effort in mounting such surprise party because Padilla doesn’t really celebrate his birthdays.

“Kasi papunta siya sa Japan, so sabi ko, ‘Anak lagi mo naman akong iniiwan tuwing birthday mo.’ Tapos sabi niya, ‘Ang arte mo, Ma. ‘Di bale, pagbalik ko, mag-celebrate tayo.’ Ang balik niya sa 28. Ito talaga hindi niya alam. First time niyang may surprise. Lagi kasing nasa bahay lang,” she said.

Estrada said her only wish for Padilla is good health so he may continue to achieve all his dreams.

“Ipagpatuloy niya lang lagi 'yung maganda niyang inumpisahan. Huwag siyang magbabago. 'Yung ugali na 'yon, doon siya minahal. Hangga’t tumatanda siya, si Daniel, pabuti ng pabuting tao,” she said.

An obviously surprised Padilla, on the other hand, thanked his mom and everyone who made the surprise possible.

“Nagulat ako. Hindi ko inasahan. Akala ko may meeting para sa endorsement. Hindi ko pa mahanap itong lugar na ito, tagong-tago. Naglakad na lang ako. Okay naman, nagulat ako,” he said.

Saying he doesn’t have any birthday wish, Padilla said: “Blessed tayo ng mabuti nating Diyos. Minamahal pa rin tayo ng tao. Masaya na ako sa ganyan. Wala na [akong mahihiling pa]. Okay na ako.”

Padilla will be leaving the country for a short break in Japan on his actual birthday.