One lucky Filipino is celebrating a major win after being named one of five AED 50,000 prize winners in the latest Big Ticket e-draw held this week in the UAE.
Arturo Rodriguez, a 59-year-old technical super attendant from the Philippines, has been living in Dubai for over three decades. For the first time in his 32 years in the emirate, he struck gold in the Big Ticket raffle.
“This is my first win. It feels surreal, you know,” Rodriguez said during a phone call with a Big Ticket representative.
Joining him on the winners’ list were Indian and Syrian nationals who also pocketed AED 50,000 each. Among them, Indian expat Asaraf Ali Valiya Parambil, who has made it a monthly ritual with a friend to buy tickets from Al Ain Airport, said he plans to donate part of the prize and enjoy the rest with friends.
Another Indian winner, 52-year-old shipping and retail manager Praveen Arun Tellis, shared his disbelief at the news. “I was like, really? I won? I just couldn’t believe it,” he recalled. He intends to split the money with a group of seven friends and support his family with his share.
Syrian national Nawar Najem, a 42-year-old deputy marine manager, was also among the winners. Living in the UAE with his family since 2017, he expressed joy over his first Big Ticket win.
The fifth winner, Aysha from India, bought her ticket online but has yet to be reached by the Big Ticket team.
As anticipation builds, Big Ticket has announced a massive AED 20 million grand prize for its upcoming draw on June 3, 2025, along with five bonus prizes of AED 150,000 each to be awarded on June 1.