Game Ka Na Ba's new millionaires from Cebu reveal winning strategy

CEBU, Philippines - Right from the start, “Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba’s” new millionaires from Cebu, Vincent Mertalla and Kris Iroy, felt the big win was meant for them.

“All questions were a walk in the park. Everything was a coincidence,” Iroy said, happy to have answered all the five questions that led them to winning a total cash prize of P2 million.

Their last question was how many miles is 1782 yards. Iroy was confident to answer 1 mile.

Iroy is a psychology graduate from the University of San Jose Recoletos and has three kids. Mertalla is a nursing graduate from University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Inc.

Mertalla couldn’t be more ecstatic. Mertalla was a Kapamilya Winner Ka (KWK) Season 5 winner, while Iroy was KWK Season 6 winner. Mertalla was supposed to play last June. But because of his review for the board exam, he asked if he could play the next time around.

“Nursing board exam was my priority. Timing na pag katong ako na’y mo-play sa GKNB, final coaching sa review. I have to attend that kay importante kaayo for the board. May gani, nisugot sila. Naka-focus gyud ko,” Mertalla said.

Also part of their team was Hazel Claveria from Bacolod. But Iroy stood as their team leader.

What served as their armour of success were constant prayers. From the moment they were called to play in GKNB, to the time they became defending winners, they have been storming the heavens with their prayer intentions.

“I prayed that whatever happens, I can accept it, without negative feelings,” Iroy said.

They reviewed past episodes of PGKNB, read books, scanned the internet for more information, and created their strategies.

Iroy believed that what made them answer the questions correctly was focus.“I was never anxious. I didn’t feel nervous. I was with my senses every time I answer the questions,” Iroy said.

Their P2 million winnings will be shared among the three of them, but a bigger part will go to Iroy who answered all questions.

Iroy shared he’ll invest his money in a house and maybe in some business, while Mertalla wants to buy a car and save some for the future. They’re also thinking of sharing some to charity.

Playing in GKNB was the dream of Mertalla since college.

“Gi-seize nako ang chance. Challenging man sad gyud. I must say grabe gyud og help ang Kapamilya Winner Ka (KWK) ka namo,” Mertalla smiled, saying that he first joined KWK out of fun.

“Nag-text rako ato, Wala ko nag-expect nga matawagan ko para makaduwa,” he continued.

Iroy, on the other hand, joined the contest in need for financial help. “I joined through texting and I was fortunate to get through,” he said.

It all started with KWK

“Namasin lang ko sa maayong kapalaran. I believe KWK was a good avenue for Cebuanos to join GKNB,” Mertalla said.

After the monthly play-offs, winners of KWK are sent to Manila to play for GKNB. Aside from that, they are given studio tours around ABS-CBN and watched Wowowee live.

KWK Executive Producer Adrian Diongzon is proud of the two Cebuanos.

“This goes to show that if you want to play in PGKNB, you don’t need to go to Manila. Regional winners can still make a name there,” Diongzon said.

The timing was right when Iroy and Mertalla won the million as the KWK will be starting Season 7 by August 8.

“It was a great season ender. We ended with a bang. And this coming August 8, naa mi mga bag-ong pakulo,” Diongzon said.

KWK will be incorporating “Good Deed Play”, wherein the winnings of that certain game will be given to charities or beneficiaries chosen by the players.

Diongzon said it’s their way of giving back to the community.

“This is our way of making a difference. Kung buotan ka, Winner ka!”

Mertalla and Iroy are just the 2nd millionaires of PGKNB in its new format. Who knows, you would be next.