Pinoy who grew up in poverty in the Philippines becomes a millionaire in Dubai after winning lotto

What would you do if you unexpectedly won P224 million?

For Russell, it was a no-brainer. His first thoughts were his family.

In an episode of "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho," Russell detailed the hardships that he suffered through in his life prior to reaching this point.

"Naging breadwinner talaga [ako]," he said. "Kaya kailangan kong galingan, kailangan kong sipagan kasi kailangang kailangan talagang tulungan 'yung tatay ko saka 'yung nanay ko."

("I was a breadwinner. I needed to work hard, persevere because I needed to help my father and my mother.")

Russell retains memories of his childhood, where they wouldn’t even be able to afford to eat thrice a day.

He and his brother had to stop school because his father's jewelry business failed, and his mother didn't have a job.

"Bata ka, nakikita mo 'yung parents mo na nagsa-struggle. Wala kaming malapitan. Wala kang mahiraman ng pera. Kumakain ka lang once a day. Sobrang hirap," he said.

("Imagine you're a child, and you see your parents struggling. You can't ask for help from anyone. You can't borrow money. You can only eat one meal a day. It's hard.")

In his early 20s, he shuffled between jobs. Eventually, he got to working in a factory.

His brother, however, worked in Dubai. They discussed the possibility of Russell following suit.

Wanting to give his family a better life, Russell did.

However, finding a job wasn't easy.

"Wala kang pera. Naglalakad ka under the sun, sobrang init. Kailangan mong magpunta sa multiple interviews. Bakit ako hindi ako nakapasa sa interview? Ano pa 'yung kulang sa akin?" Russell wondered.

("You don't have money. You're walking under the heat of the sun. You need to go to different interviews. I kept asking myself, ‘Why can't I pass any of them? What am I lacking?’")

Eventually, he received a job offer, but it was less than ideal. Still, he had no choice but to take every opportunity.

"Hindi ko expected na ganun kababa," he said. "Naging motivation ko 'yun na kulang 'yung sinusweldo ko. Nakapagtrabaho ako sa housekeeping. Nagkaroon ako ng experience sa stewarding. Nakita nila na meron akong kakayahan mag-manage ng tao... na-promote ako," he said.

("I didn't expect that the offer would be that low. It became my motivation. I was able to work in housekeeping. I got experience in stewarding. Eventually, they saw that I have the ability to manage people, and I got promoted.")

And then, unexpectedly, a huge dose of luck entered his life.

It was all just by chance. Russell said that it was the first time he ever tried the lotto — on Friday the 13th, no less!

"Nag-try lang ako ng luck. Sabi ko pa nga 'Friday the 13th, kailangan mag-ingat tayo.' Naglagay ako ng six-digit number," he recalled.

("I just tried my luck. I even said, 'It's Friday the 13th, I need to be careful.' I put a six-digit number.")

He could still remember the winning numbers, though: 6-29-34-17-25-22.

"'Yung 29 is birthday ko. 'Yung 6 number is sa buwan, June. 34, 'yung edad ko. 'Yung 17, birthday ng anak ko. 'Yung 25 birthday ng ate ko and 'yung 22 is birthday ng nanay ko. Related talaga sa akin siya."

("The number 29 is my birthday, the 6 symbolizes the month, June. 34, that’s my age. The 17 is my child's birthday. The number 25 is my sister's birthday, and the number 22 is my mother's birthday. They were all related to me.")

Naturally, he didn't expect to win. Russell said he got the call after praying.

"Around 12:47, may tumatawag. 'Congratulations! You are the first winner of 15 million dirhams in Emirates Draw this 2023.' Akala ko nagbibiro lang. Ang sabi nung kausap ko, 'Na-check mo na ba 'yung email?'" he said.

("Around 12:47, someone called. 'Congratulations! You are the first winner of 15 million dirhams in Emirates Draw this 2023.' I thought they were joking. The person on the other line said, 'Did you check your email?")

So Russell checked his email. There, sitting in his inbox, was a message that read: 'Dear Russell, congratulations! You are our new Emirates Draw winner!'

The first thing he did was call his family to tell them the amazing news: he's a millionaire!

With the money he received, he is planning to get his child an educational plan or health insurance. He also wants to help his parents start a business and build their own house.

"Hindi naman na nanalo tayo is hihinto na ang lahat," Russel said. "Kung hindi mo pagtatrabahuan 'yang napanalunan mo, mawawala 'yan, one click kasi pera 'yan, mabilis maubos 'yan."

("Just because I won doesn't mean I’d drop everything. If you don't work hard for what you won, it will disappear in a snap. That's money, that runs out fast.")

—JCB, GMA Integrated News