Highlights
- Marelie David, a Filipina expat in the UAE, became the new multimillionaire
- She was named winner of Dh10 million, the top prize of the Big Ticket raffle on Tuesday night
- The amount is equivalent to Php142 million at current exchange rate
- He winning ticket is No. 172193
- She bought the ticket on August 26
- The Big Ticket raffle was held at Abu Dhabi International Airport
Abu Dhabi: A Filipina won the Dh10 million prize of the Big Ticket Raffle in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night.
Marelie David, based in Dubai, with ticket No. 172193, was named as the lucky winner of the monthly raffle held at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
At first, David couldn't believe her ears.
"I think you are not teasing me because people call and tease about such prizes," Marelie told Big Ticket Raffle host Richard on the phone upon learning about her overnight fortune.
"Thank you so much... this is a big blessing. Timing is perfect...it's going to be December soon," Marelie told Big Ticket Raffle host Richard on the phone upon learning about her overnight fortune.
Marelie will pick the winning number during the next Big Ticket draw in October at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
'Keep on trying...'
Marelie David has been living Dubai with her family for the last 20 years and has made it a practice to join the raffle each month, sharing the amount with friends.
David won Dh10m, an equivalent of Php142 million, certainly a life-changing amount in her home country, the Philippines. She told organisers the winning the ticket is shared by 10 people — so each would share Dh1 million. That's about Php14.2 million at current exchange rate.
Her plan for the prize money? Build a house for her son who will turn 11 this month — and also help build a church in her hometown.
"Keep on trying, keep you your faith, and maybe God will do something and you will win soon!" David told organisers.
David is from Pasig City, a suburb of Manila.
On the phone, David could not believe her ears and initially thought it was a prank from other friends.
There were 10 other winners — 7 Indians, 2 Filipinos, and a Pakistani — who each bagged cash prizes from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000.
Dwilif Kumar Bhaskaran, an Indian national national with ticket No. 003336 — was named the BMW Series 8 winner during the Tuesday night draw held at the Abu Dhabi Airport Arrivals Hall outside area.
Dh15 million for August winner
Last month, winners from different nationalities — India, Philippines, Egypt, Somalia — bagged nine cash prizes that were raffled off, valued from Dh10,000 to Dh15 million.
He picked Marelie David's winning number on Saturday night.
Big Ticket
Big Ticket is the largest and longest-running monthly raffle draw for cash prizes and dream luxury cars in Abu Dhabi.
These tickets can be purchased online or at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain Duty Free and City Terminal Abu Dhabi.
A live draw is held at the arrivals entrance of the airport.
Tickets remain at their usual price of just Dh500. If you buy two tickets, one ticket is given for free under a buy-one-get-one free scheme.
