- Screen grab from Facebook/Al Ansari Exchange
Filipinos often elect to go abroad to work and provide for their families back home. One hardworking Filipino engineer recently just became an instant millionaire—with much help from lady luck.
Al Dizon Bansil, an expatriate at the United Arab Emirates for the past 11 years, won “a chance of a lifetime” and took home the grand prize of Dh1 million (nearly P14 million) from the Al Ansari Rewards–Summer Promotion 2017 raffle draw.
The 43-year-old quantity surveyor became the fourth millionaire to win big in the annual promotion of worldwide remittance company Al Ansari Exchange, which ran for almost a two-month span from June 15 to Aug. 14.
“I was at work when I received the call that I was pre-qualified for the grand draw,” Bansil told Gulf News. “Then when the grand draw was being held earlier, I was really nervous. I prayed to win… and I did.”
Making his victory even sweeter, his winning raffle ticket came from a remittance of Dh3,677 (roughly P51,000) sent to his wife in Pampanga.
“I badly wanted to win because this is a chance of a lifetime. It’s definitely going to change my life and my family’s life,” he said.
Even after claiming his cheque last Thursday, Bansil admits his victory remains a surreal experience and looks forward to celebrate with his family in Pampanga.
“I don’t know what to do with the money yet,” he said, “I don’t want to think of it for now. My priority is to go home to be with my family for this special occasion.”
Meanwhile, fellow Filipino Sylvia Lizardo Valdez also won big at the Gala ceremony, as she took home a brand-new Nissan Patrol. Khristian Ibarrola /ra