MANILA, Philippines – This lotto winner from Batangas province has had to take on two jobs as a real estate broker and as a memorial plan agent so his family could have a decent life.
But with his P10.4-million prize, the 58-year-old father of three need not worry now for the future of his family, and has in fact more than enough capital to start his own business, according to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office acting chair and general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II.
The winner told Rojas that he took his chances in the lottery since the earnings he made from his two jobs weren’t enough to cover his family’s daily needs.
“If sales for memorial plans are down, I focus on selling real estate properties, and vice versa. I decided to try my luck at the lottery since my income isn’t enough for my family’s needs,” Rojas quoted the winner as saying.
Rojas said that the winner was the sole player who correctly picked the winning combination 04-06-10-17-22-28 in the March 14 draw of the Lotto 6/42. He added that the winner exactly took home P10,410,892.
The PCSO chief said that playing the lottery has been part of the winner’s routine in the last 20 years. He added that the winner, who only bought two tickets, got the winning combination from the birth dates of his wife and children.
When the winner claimed his prize at the agency’s head office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, he told Rojas that he would use his prize to pay for his debts, as well as save a portion for his children’s education.
He added that he and his wife would also like to start a business of their own. However, Rojas said that the couple has not decided on the nature of business they would invest their money.