Meet 4 Filipino expats who shared Dh1M prize in Emirates Loto

  DUBAI – Since Emirates Loto’s debut on March 28, four Filipinos in the UAE have won their share in the game’s Dh1 million second prize. Two of the expatriates took home Dh333,333 each in the May 16 draw, while two others won Dh166,666 each after sharing the prize with other winners who matched five out of six winning numbers in the May 23 draw. Expatmedia.net shares their inspiring victory stories:

Winner: Rodel Pangan Punzalan

Prize: Dh333,333 Winning date: May 16, 2020 Wow factor: First time to join and win any draw His story Rodel Pangan Punzalan, 42, couldn’t believe his luck when he won the second prize in Emirates Loto on May 16. He shared the prize with Abu-Dhabi based Filipina Remedios Bombon (story below) and an Indian national who wanted to remain anonymous. “My initial reaction was one of sheer surprise and thankfulness. I’d never played Emirates Loto before nor had I won anything during my life so far!” Punzalan told Expatmedia.net in an emailed statement. The Filipino lives in the UAE with his wife and their children. He plans to donate money to a church and a foundation in the Philippines that need financial help. He will also give a share to his wife and immediate family who have been living with him in the UAE in the last 16 years. “To win during the time of a pandemic is certainly unusual, and it has made me feel blessed and grateful for a once in a lifetime opportunity. God is good,” said Punzalan, who has requested his photo withheld.

Winner: Remedios Bombon

Prize: Dh333,333 Winning date: May 16, 2020 Wow factor: Spent her last Dh50 to win Her story After being left jobless due to the coronavirus pandemic, Remedios Bombon is now Dh333,333 richer after winning the Emirates Loto draw on May 16. The former school housekeeping attendant has been struggling with bills in her shared villa in Baniyas, Abu Dhabi. She described it as the most difficult period during her 10-year stay in the UAE. With the last Dh50 in her wallet, Bombon decided to take a gamble. “All the numbers is my birthday and my kids’ birthday. I told God only four numbers is enough for me,” Bombon recalled. Had she matched only four out of six winning numbers, she would have won Dh300! As luck would have it, she did not only match four, but five out of six numbers, winning her Dh333,333! Bombon said she will use her winnings to build her own house and start afresh with her own business. “I’ll help my sister, my brother and relatives,” she added. https://www.expatmedia.net/filipina-abu-dhabi-spent-last-money-wins-dh333333-emirates-loto-may-16-draw/2020/05/

Winner: Maricar Balagtas

Prize: Dh166,666 Winning date: May 23, 2020 Wow factor: Won in her first Emirates Loto entry Her story Maricar Balagtas, a 40-year-old call centre agent from the Philippines, had watched the live draw when she realized she won. Balagtas said she felt herself go numb and noticed that her hands were shaking as the winning numbers were announced. “I had to check my entry about 10 times to make sure they truly matched, I just couldn’t believe it. I broke down in tears of happiness,” Balagtas said in a statement sent to Expatmedia.net. Last weekend was her first time playing Emirates Loto: “I just feel so lucky! I’m still in disbelief. God must know of my good intentions and perhaps that is why I have been blessed.” Balagtas said she will share her winnings with her family who she calls her “lucky charms”. She also plans to donate part of her winnings to a church in her hometown and to people who have been badly affected by the Covid-19. The Filipina has lived in the UAE since 2006. She has a son who lives with her parents in the Philippines, and two siblings who live and work in Dubai.

Winner: William Marquez Aniana

Prize: Dh166,666 Winning date: May 23, 2020 Wow factor: Liabilities solved with winning His story William Marquez Aniana took home Dh166,666 as his share in the Dh1 million prize in the May 23 draw. “My initial reaction to winning was to shout very loudly and jump up and down while praying and thanking God for his blessing,” Aniana said in a statement sent to Expatmedia.net. The 38-year-old document controller has lived and worked in the UAE for 13 years and the windfall is going to help him raise his two children in the Philippines. “I plan to settle all of my liabilities and share some of my winnings with some close friends, as well as those who are in need back home,” Aniana said. ICA/Expat Media https://www.expatmedia.net/2-filipinos-emirati-share-dh1-million-emirates-loto-draw/2020/05/

How to play

1. Log on to emiratesloto.com or download the Emirates Loto app 2. Create your account 3. Buy one or more Emirates Loto Collectibles (designer cards) for Dh35 4. You will get one complimentary entry to the draw. 5. Select six numbers from 1 to 49 and submit your entry 6. Choose whether to have the collectible delivered to you or donated to charity 7. Lucky winners will receive a message from Emirates Loto

What is Emirates Loto?

Emirates Loto is the GCC’s first digital collectables scheme and optional draw. Emirates Loto is open to eligible participants over 18 years of age in the UAE and from around the world. The collectibles can be purchased for Dh35 from any of the authorised retail stores in UAE, the brand website, or via the Emirates Loto app that can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Emirates Loto is the UAE’s first fatwa-approved “collectibles scheme”, with weekly draws held every Saturday. To win the jackpot, entrants need to match all six drawn numbers. In case of two or more winners, the jackpot will be divided among the winners. The Emirates Loto jackpot is fixed at a minimum of Dh35 million for each draw. If there is no winner, then the jackpot will increase by Dh5 million each week until there is a winner or the jackpot reaches Dh50 million. Currently, the jackpot stands at Dh50 million. A second prize of Dh1 million will also be given for matching five out of six winning numbers. In case of two or more winners, the jackpot and second prize will be divided among the winners.  Consolation prizes also include Dh300 for each entrant who matches four out of six winning numbers, and an entry to the next draw for anyone who matches three out of six numbers. ICA/Expat Media https://www.expatmedia.net/7-winners-split-dh1-million-emirates-loto-draw/2020/05/
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