OFW wins AED1 million or P13.28 million in UAE draw

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A 33-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Cebu, who works as a sales associate at a gym here, won AED1 million – the equivalent of P13.28 million in a raffle.

The winner, Antonio (not his real name), said portions of his prize will be set aside for a dream wedding, a nephew's studies abroad, and charity.

“I will share some of it to people who need it badly, especially in this times of COVID. I will also donate to the church,” Antonio told GMA News Online.

Asked if he plans to invest the money in a business venture or condo units like most raffle and lottery winners do, Antonio, the youngest and only boy among four siblings, said, laughing: “I think sila (his family) na muna ang bahala. So long as my family is happy.”

(I think it would be up to my family. So long as my family is happy.)

Antonio, who has been working in Dubai for the past three years, is currently engaged.

“This money is such a blessing for us and our whole family,” he said. “My fiancée and I can finally have our dream wedding and set ourselves up for the future,” he added.

The OFW said he has always been participating in the live weekly raffle draw organized by Mahzooz, using a number combination of special dates like birthdays. He said he has routinely been doing this since last year. 

His winning combination however, placed last week, was of random numbers, Antonio said. “It was auto-generated,” he said.

“I didn’t realize I have won until I received a call from the Mahzooz team congratulating me. I was shocked and couldn’t believe it. I’ve never expected I would win such a big amount of money. This is a life-changing win to say the least. I feel blessed and overwhelmed!” said Antonio.

“I have a nephew who has been dreaming of studying abroad and I plan on helping him pay for that,” said Antonio.

“Also, my friend works in a church in Oud Metha and I know a lot of people in that community have really been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. I will donate some of my winnings to the church to help those in need,” he added.

Other Filipino winners

Antonio is the second Filipino and 11th overall Mahzooz millionaire of 2021.

Early this month, “Roland,” an OFW working at a bakeshop in Abu Dhabi as delivery van driver also won AED1 million.

Three other OFWs have won big prizes. Among them were “Leilani,” 44, a licensed dentist in the Philippines who currently works in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi as a dental assistant.  All her life Leilani has been wishing to have a dental clinic of her own. She won AED250,000 also this month, along with another OFW, “Alexander,” 35, who also won AED250,000.

In May, a 31-year-old single mom working as office manager at an HR consultancy won AED201,000 or the equivalent of P2.63 million.

Wendy Arroz, who hails from Cagayan Valley, told GMA News Online that she will use the money to pay for a housing loan she got two years ago for her daughter.

Over 17,000 Filipinos have won since the weekly draws started in November last year, according to Mahzooz, taking home a cumulative total of over AED6.5 million in cash prizes ranging from AED35, the minimum amount spent to participate, to AED1 million.

Entrants can participate in Mahzooz by registering via www.mahzooz.ae and purchasing a bottle of water. Each bottle of water purchased (for AED 35) provides eligibility for one line in the draw and the donation is channeled through Mahzooz’s community partners to hydrate those in need.

The next draw will be held as scheduled on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 9 p.m. UAE time. Mahzooz is inclusive to all who are eligible. 

Antonio declined to give his real name nor have his picture published. —KG, GMA News