By Vincent Peter Rivera
Imagine waking up on a holiday, with no work or dead- lines looming – just the blissful freedom to control your own time. You’re enjoying a full day of rest in the comfort of your home, surrounded by the family you love. How could it get any better, right? Well, probably by winning an almost a billion-peso jackpot.
During a recent holiday, a 28-year-old professional from Mandaluyong City won a jackpot prize totaling PHP 935,262,012.34 while playing on BingoPlus, the country’s renowned digital entertain- ment and gaming platform.
In an exclusive interview, the winner revealed that this unexpected fortune resulted from a casual use of BingoPlus’s Rebate System. This reward mechanism is designed to re- turn a percentage of a player’s spending, offering a potential financial safety net.
“So, it was a holiday and I didn’t have work that day. So naglalaro lang po ako, nagla-laro, and then, ‘yung maganda po sa BingoPlus is may parang rebate, which is a spin. So, every time mag- spin ka, ‘yung napapanalunan mo, it goes straight to your account,” he shared. “So, I just kept spinning and spinning that day and then, bigla na lang lumabas, ‘P935M, Congratulations!’”
Since its inception three years ago, this grand prize stands as BingoPlus’ largest jackpot ever awarded in the country.
“Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, sabi ko baka glitch lang ‘to. Until may tumawag sa akin na taga-BingoPlus, congratulated me, and said na ako nga po ‘yung nanalo,” he added.
Prior to this win, the prizewinner already won one million pesos on the same platform last December 2024.
A new life in an instant
Even days after securing the grand prize, the winner admits that the reality of it hasn’t fully sunk in. He recalled that he initially used the online game purely for escape and entertainment.
“Kasi I use BingoPlus as my relaxation pagkatapos ang trabaho, bago matulog. So it really brings joy to me, manalo man o matalo,” he said.
His fortunate journey began while playing Baccarat on the BingoPlus platform. He noticed that bonus spins activated every time he placed a bet. On that particular holiday, with no work, he spent his time simply utilizing these spins and the rest is history.
“Thank you to BingoPlus dahil nabigyan niyo ako ng ganitong opportunity na mag- simula ng bagong buhay and mabigay ko ‘yung buhay na gusto ko sa pamilya ko,” he said.
Investing for his family’s future
Like many working-class individuals, the young adult professional maintains an 8-to-5 job from Monday to Saturday to financially support his family of three, including a child as young as three years old.
“So I would say naman na komportable naman po ‘yung buhay ko before winning … but at the same time, nakaasa pa rin sa pamilya,” the winner admitted.
When asked about his plans for the substantial amount of money he won, the professional highlighted his priority of investing in his family’s future, stating, “First is not to spend the money, but to invest the money. Hopefully to, ‘yun nga, [build] generation of wealth.”
Among his initial plans for the winnings, the millennial husband shared that acquiring his own house and lot was a top priority, driven by his desire to move out of his parents’ home and establish an independent living space with his own family.
Aside from this, he also shared that winning the jackpot prize served as an answer to one of his wife’s pressing concerns.
He added: “Actually, ‘yun nga po yung nakakatuwa. Just two weeks ago, my wife was namomoblema kung paa- no namin babayaran ‘yung tuition fee to the school that we want to bring her in. And now po, nasagot naman po ‘yung problema niya.”
In addition to his immediate family, the winner expressed a strong desire to extend his help, acknowledging that their family isn’t very well off and that many needs of other family members have historically gone unmet. He expressed hope that he can now provide for them in some way.
Apart from investing for the betterment of their lives, traveling to Europe is by far the only indulgence he is planning. His focus remains firmly on his family and child, demonstrating a lack of greed as he intends to continue his normal life and maintain his current work.
“Ako po, despite nananalo po ako, hindi po ako magre- resign sa trabaho ko. Patuloy pa rin po ako sa everyday life ko. Kumbaga, parang bonus lang po talagang nananalo ako,” he explained.
Giving back to the community
Still fresh from his win, the young adult professional honestly admitted he hasn’t yet mapped out the concrete steps for what he’ll do with the money, beyond investing in his family. Despite this, he revealed plans to give back to the community in any way he can. “Meron kasing isang or-
phanage na simula po bata ako, tuwing may extra po dati, nagbi-birthday po ako sa orphanage na ‘yun,” he said. “So, siguro ngayon na ito po na napanalunan ko, doon ko po kumbaga, isha-share sa kanila. Sana mabigyan sila ng new opportunity.”
A faithful support system Addressing the common misconception that money easily gained is easily lost, the newly hailed winner pointed out that this situation isn’t universally true. He emphasized that it’s largely dependent on the individual’s approach to spending and utilizing the money.
He also pointed out the significant help of having someone like his wife whom he can trust and rely on to keep him on track with his spending on the digital online platform.
“[I am] reckless sometimes but being transparent with my wife helps a lot. As long as she knows what I have
and what I’m spending on. Kumbaga siya yung wealth manager ko,” he added.
“I think as long as you keep it responsible and fun, okay lang naman po,” he con- tinued. “Basta alam niyo lang po ‘yung limits ninyo. At huwag po tayong sasobra sa anong kaya mo ilabas.”
A synergy of entertainment and responsibility
Beyond the outcome and plans in the future, the young adult also shared the crucial role of responsible gaming in his journey of clinching the jackpot prize.
“‘ Yun po ‘yung maganda sa BingoPlus platform natin kasi meron siyang responsible gaming kung saan you can put po ‘yung limit ninyo, ‘yung duration ninyo,” he shared, emphasizing the good effect of having a responsible gaming feature on the digital gaming platform.
Recognizing that his story has a pivotal role on his fellow players, the win- ner insisted on consuming the entertainment platform in moderation.
“Kung ano man ‘yung nilalaro natin sa Bingo Plus. We just have to really keep it responsible na it’s fun pero dapat alam din po natin kung ano ‘yung limits natin,” he advised.
There’s no turning back for the winner, who now sees his grand jackpot as proof that such a fortune is within anyone’s reach. As he puts it, “Miracles can happen.” Yet, more than just a miracle, his journey to this moment appears to be the culmination of self-awareness, self-discipline, a strong support system, and, of course, a sprinkle of luck.
