Past lotto winner gives piece of advice to P300M winners

MANILA, Philippines - The P14-million jackpot lotto winner in 2008 who spent all of his winnings in three months gave a piece of advice to the two winners of the nearly P300 million lotto jackpot.

In a radio interview Thursday, Dionie Reyes, an employee, said the winners of the 6/55 lotto should think of ways to grow their winnings.

"Huwag nila akong parisan at tularan. Ingatan nila [ang pera] para palaguin para ang mga kamag-anak na gusto nila matulungan, matulungan nila," Reyes said.

Besides buying a house and a car, Reyes said he also shared his winning to his siblings and relatives. However, he said he spent most of the money in gambling, particularly cockfighting. He said he used to spend P10,000 for every cockfight that he joined.

Reyes, an employee, said he now goes to work everyday, hitching a ride in the car that he bought for his brother from his winning.

Although he lost all his money, Reyes said he makes do with what he has now.

"Lumaki akong mahirap, sanay ako sa wala," Reyes said.

He still buys lotto ticket, hoping that he would be given a second chance to win.

"Kung mabibigyan ng pangalawang pagkakataon [para manalo], aking iingatan at palalaguin ang pera para matulungan muli ang kamag-anak ko. Aalisin ko po ang pagsusugal ko. Kapag mayroon [akong pera], nagsusugal ako. Ngayon po, iingatan ko ang pera," he said.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has disclosed that two persons won the P299.897 million jackpot. One of the winners bought the winning ticket in Luzon, and the other in the Visayas.