Filipino expat in Dubai wins Big Ticket Abu Dhabi after 13 years of hoping

Abu Dhabi: For Dennis Mallari, a Filipino expat and photographer living in Dubai, every frame tells a story and now his own life added a joyful new chapter.
Mallari won Dh50,000 in Big Ticket Abu Dhabi’s weekly e-draw. His lucky number? 126402. It’s a ticket he bought earlier this month with a group of close friends who are also his colleagues.

“I bought tickets early in the month for a chance to win the weekly draw. This time, I bought with my friends. We’re all photographers,” Mallari said.
“We’ve been buying two tickets every month together.”

Since 2012, Mallari has been participating in the Big Ticket draw, quietly nurturing a dream: to one day build his dream home. Though the Dh50,000 prize wasn’t the jackpot he has been aiming for, it felt like a sign that he’s getting closer.

“We are dreaming of the big one, but even the consolation prize is a blessing,” he said.

The group of photographers always looks forward to the first week of the month, when the Grand Prize draw is held. “We will keep buying until we get the big win,” he added.