CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Some P1.2 billion in Lotto jackpots from January to May was shared by 26 individuals who became new millionaires, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan made the announcement on Wednesday as he discouraged people from asking him winning number combinations.
Balutan said he constantly receives messages on his Facebook accounts: “Mandirigma Kawanggawa” and Community Page: “Mandirigma sa Kawanggawa” asking him to give them “lucky” numbers or share them secrets on how to win the lottery.
Balutan said the only secret to winning the lottery “is to get yourself a ticket. “ Even if you didn’t win, at least you know that part of what you bet goes to charity funds, he said.
Records from the PCSO’s Product and Research Development Division of the Gaming Sector indicated there were eight lucky millionaires for Lotto 6/42, eight for Lotto 6/45, four for Lotto 6/55, and two for Lotto 6/58.
“After February 16, 2018, no one has won the jackpot for Lotto 6/58 up to this time and the accumulated prize money is already at P181,477,292. So buy your tickets now, who knows you can be the next lucky millionaire,” Balutan said.
People buy lottery tickets assuming their winnings will bring them a prosperous, work-free or happy life, but research suggests they shouldn’t be so certain, he said.
Anecdotes about how winning the lottery has led “lucky” winners into bad luck, bankruptcy, or even worse are not uncommon, he added.
Some lotto winners lose or spend all their money all at once, some fear for their life, some struggle with suicide and depression with the sudden lifestyle change, he noted.
“Given na ýung mga winners na gusto nila maging anonymous sila for security reasons. Sýempre di mo maiwasan ýung iba kapag nalaman na biglang yaman ka, dudumugin ka nila,” Balutan said.
“I would recommend avoiding sudden lifestyle changes. Don’t do anything drastic. Pay your debts. At ang pinaka-importante, invest wisely or seek expert financial advice or find yourself a trusted financial planner on what to do with your money. Ýan ang mga nakakalimutan ng mga biglaang milyonaryo eh,” he added.
The PCSO charter mandates that 55 percent of its revenues should be allocated for prizes, 15 percent for operational expenses and 30 percent for its “charity fund.”
