It was a regular holiday morning for the 28-year-old office worker and young father. He thought it was a perfect time to relax at home. With his phone in hand, he opened the BingoPlus app, a platform he’d played on for about a year, and spent the day casually spinning. He had no idea that a few casual spins would change his life forever.
“I didn’t have work that day, so I was just playing. Then suddenly, the number flashed: 935. I kept refreshing the screen, asking myself, ‘Is this real?’” he said.
Still unsure, he logged in on his computer just to double-check.
“I thought it might just be a glitch. It wasn’t. Moments later, I received a call from BingoPlus staff and confirmed that I had just won ₱935 million,” the jackpot winner added.
“It’s been ten days and it still hasn’t fully sunk in. Even after the call, I kept thinking maybe it was a mistake,” he continued.
Living in Mandaluyong with his wife, their three-year-old daughter, and his parents, he describes their previous lifestyle as modest.
“I would say we were comfortable. But like many, I was still relying on my parents financially. We had enough, but not much extra,” he shared.
Despite the enormous windfall, he has no plans to leave his regular Monday-to-Saturday job, describing his win as a bonus.
What’s next for the self-described “disciplined player”? A new home for his family.
“We still live with my parents. It’s time to have a place of our own. That’s really our top priority,” he told Manila Standard.
He also shared that just two weeks before the win, he and his wife were worried about how to pay for their daughter’s school fees.
The winner has been playing on the Bingo Plus platform for about a year and appreciates its built-in responsible gaming tools.
“That’s what’s good about the app, you can set spending and time limits. It helps keep the game fun without going overboard,” the lucky winner shared.
He has no immediate plans to splurge and said that his goal is to invest the money, not just to spend it.
“We want to build generational wealth—for our daughter, and hopefully even for our grandchildren,” he said.
Asked if he plans to share his blessing with others, he didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, definitely. There’s an orphanage I used to visit on my birthdays when I was younger. I want to give back to them now,” he continued.
To critics who view gambling wins negatively, he offered a calm response.
“Money is money, no matter where it comes from. What matters is how you use it. It really depends on the person. If you’re wise, it won’t just disappear,” the 28-year-old bettor explained.
And to other players still hoping for their own lucky break, he shared a message of encouragement.
“I’m proof that anyone can win. I wasn’t even planning anything that day. It was just a normal holiday. Then suddenly, everything changed. Miracles really do happen,” he stated.
