Pinoy janitor wins $7M in Canada lottery

Photo courtesy of British Columbia Lottery Corporation

A Filipino janitor who moved to Canada 10 years ago is now $7 million richer after winning the jackpot prize in a lottery last month.

Vito Halasan won the prize on April 27, 2019, a few days after celebrating his 58th birthday, according to a press release from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).

Halasan, who lives in Surrey, matched all six numbers on his Lotto 6/49.

"I remember scanning my ticket and seeing all these numbers,”  Halasan was quoted as saying. "I have really blurry vision so I had to hold the ticket right up to my face. I couldn’t believe it."

After realizing that he won, Halasan called his daughter, who did not believe the news first and had to check online "several times" for confirmation.

Halasan, who has three kids and four grandchildren, said he buys lottery tickets regularly "so I can dream."

"I dream of being able to take care of my kids and make their future better," he said. "Now we’ll be able to buy a nice house for my children and grandchildren." —KBK, GMA News