Everybody wants to be a billionaire and so Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lottery stations across the country are crowded with bettors who are dreaming of hitting the UltraLotto 6/58 jackpot, expected to reach P1 billion by Tuesday.
PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan on Monday called the jackpot “historic,” as it was the biggest in the agency’s history.
“I hope that several people [will] win the prize because it really is overwhelming. We can make a lot of people happy,” Balutan said in a statement.
Sales growing, too
“While the jackpot grows bigger, our UltraLotto sales are also growing. It is a big help to our charity fund,” he added.
The previous biggest lotto jackpot recorded was P741 million, in the Grand Lotto 6/55 game, in November 2010.
The winner was a balikbayan from Olongapo City in Zambales province.
The lone winner was a 60-year-old who lived in New York.
He bought a lottery ticket at the Royal Duty Free in Subic. He claimed the prize in December that year.
In February, two bettors hit and split a P332-million UltraLotto 6/58 jackpot between themselves.
It will change your life
“Winning a huge amount [in] jackpot prize will definitely change your outlook in life, your lifestyle and your priorities,” Balutan said.
Even President Rodrigo Duterte plays the lotto, according to longtime aide Christopher “Bong” Go.
Go said last week that the President placed bets on 18 combinations for the Oct. 5 drawing of UltraLotto 6/58.
The pot then stood at P849.5 million.
Go said the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, also played UltraLotto 6/58.
Balutan said even foreigners living in the country were playing the lottery, hoping to hit the jackpot.
New players
Not all Filipinos lining up at lottery stations are longtime bettors.
James Wong, a college engineering instructor, said he started playing UltraLotto 6/58 two weeks ago, when the jackpot appeared headed for the sky.
“I really didn’t [know how to play]. I had to ask a friend who was with me how to play,” Wong said, adding he was surprised when he learned that his parents also had begun to play the lottery.
Wong said that if he won, he would finance the completion of the construction of San Isidro Parish Church in Cainta, Rizal province, and build a house for his family.
Public school teacher Odes Dagong played UltraLotto 6/58 for the first time on Monday, also dreaming of hitting the jackpot.
“I want to support children who want to learn but cannot afford formal education. I also want to share the money [with] charitable institutions,” Dagong said.
“Then, like others, I want to get a property for myself and my siblings and perhaps land to plant trees,” she added.
It costs P24 to play UltraLotto 6/58.
Drawings are held on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
The odds of winning are one in 40,475,358.