STA. ROSA, LAGUNA – For Baltazar, a soft-spoken worker from Calamba, his days were as predictable as the Laguna sunrise.
Monday through Friday were dedicated to long hours at work and commuting. So, he always looks forward to each weekend when he marches to the ScratchIt outlet stationed just outside the gate of his boarding house subdivision in Lakeville 2, Sta. Rosa, and purchase a ticket.
His purchases have become more of a routine than anything else. Certainly, he never expected to win anything until that fateful Sunday, Aug. 10, when he got an unexpected but happy surprise. The seemingly ordinary ticket proved to be a P200,000 windfall.
“The money is a blessing from God because it will allow me to pay off my debts and put some away for my wedding.”
A native of Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Baltazar moved to Sta. Rosa for work, embracing the commuter’s life to build a better future. The first thoughts that raced through his mind were to pay off his debts and also the fact that he’s one step closer to realizing his wedding plans.
“The money is a blessing from God because it will allow me to pay off my debts and put some away for my wedding,” he said. Despite his incredible fortune, Baltazar remains grounded. He offers a cautious advice to others who might be inspired by his story.
He is adamant that his win should not be seen as an invitation to gamble recklessly. “I only ever bought tickets when I had extra money, on days when I had no work,” he said.
“My advice is to never squander your family’s budget. If you buy the ticket with the hopes of winning and you have no extra budget, you might have nothing else left to feed your family.”
His gratitude extends to the platform that made his life-changing moment possible. He sees ScratchIt not as a get-rich-quick scheme, but as a legitimate game of chance that can, on rare and wonderful occasions, reward patience.
“Hopefully, they can continue this business and platform for people like me who would be rewarded with this unexpected gift if we just have enough perseverance and prayers,” he said.
