MANILA – Two bettors who bagged the jackpots of two recent separate Lotto draws plan to use their winnings to put up a small business and fund their children's education.
In a statement on Friday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said a former migrant worker from Makati City claimed half of the PHP73 million jackpot of the Feb. 1 Mega Lotto 6/45 draw that yielded a winning combination 37-29-42-21-27-05.
The other winner is from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
“Iyong bet slip na ginagamit ko meron ng shade iyong mga alaga kong numero hindi ko na pinapalitan yun, tuwing tataya ako sa Lotto iyon ng iyon ang binibigay ko sa teller tapos itatago ko uli sa wallet ko para kinabukasan kasi tataya ako uli, para hindi na rin ako nahihirapan sa pag shade uli (That bet slip that I use has a shade, those are my usual numbers, I don't change them anymore. Every time I place a bet in the Lotto that is what I give to the teller and then I keep it in my wallet again for the next day because I'll bet again,. So that the following day I won't have to have a difficult time shading again),” he said.
When asked what he was thinking at the time, he replied,” Hindi ko po maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko sa ngayon masaya pero kinakabahan ako. Pasalamat ako sa Diyos sa biyayang ito, sa PCSO sana ay patuloy na makatulong sa mga nangangailangan at kung may pagkakataon lamang po ako na sabihin sa buong Pilipinas na tutuo po ang Lotto at tutuong may nananalo (I don't understand how I feel right now, I'm happy but nervous. I thank God for this blessing, I hope that PCSO will continue to help those in need and if only I have the opportunity to tell the whole Philippines that the Lotto will believe and someone will win).”
Meanwhile, a 57-year-old solo parent from Lipa City, Batangas finally claimed at the PCSO main office half of the PHP5.9 million jackpot prize of the 6/42 Lotto jackpot, drawn on Nov. 8, 2022. The winning combination that brought her fortune was 09-06-29-07- 05-19.
“Isa akong solo parent at plano kong gamitin ang premyong ito sa pag-aaral ng mga anak ko gayundin sa pagpapagawa ko ng aming bahay (I am a single parent and I plan to use this prize for my children's education as well as for my house to be built),” she said.
She said her lucky numbers were the combination of the birthdates and ages of her family members.
She has also been a lotto player for 20 years, and she is grateful to PCSO for the hope and charity services the agency provides the public from funds generated through its various games.
The winners both appealed to the public to continue patronizing PCSO games.
Lotto results and other details of the PCSO games, products and services can be viewed on the PCSO Official Website, PCSO FB Page and PCSO GOV Channel in YouTube.
To avoid forfeiture of winnings, winners have one year from the date of the draw to claim the prize, as specified in Republic Act No. 1169.
All lotto jackpot prizes must be claimed at the PCSO main office along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
To claim prizes, winners must write their names and sign at the back of the winning ticket, and present two government-issued IDs.
The public is also reminded that prizes over PHP10,000 are subject to a 20 percent tax as provided in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
The PCSO is urging the public to patronize its games to generate more funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities.
Through its mandatory contributions, the PCSO not only helps individuals in need of medical assistance but also provides funds to government institutions. (PNA)
