Filipino janitor wins Canadian lottery

Currently working as a school janitor, Halasan surprisingly notes that he has no plans to quit his job. (Photo: BCLC Corporation/Official Website)

Vito Halasan, a Canadian resident originally from the Philippines, claimed his check last week for $7 million CAD after winning the Lotto 6/49 last April 27.

A few days after celebrating his 58th birthday, Halasan found his lottery ticket matched all six numbers that were announced by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), explaining, “I remember scanning my ticket and seeing all these numbers. I have really blurry vision so I had to hold the ticket right up to my face.

I couldn’t believe it.” His daughter, who was the first one he told about it, added, “He sat me down at the table and then he whispered really quietly to me that he won $7 million dollars. I didn’t believe him. We had to check online several times.

”

Halasan moved from the Philippines to Surrey, British Columbia in Canada 10 years ago to provide a better life for his three children and four grandchildren. Currently working as a school janitor, he surprisingly notes that he has no plans to quit his job, but simply would like to decrease his working hours.

In Halasan’s words, “I buy lottery tickets, so I can dream. I dream of being able to take care of my kids and make their future better.” His first purchase will be a house for his entire family, as $7 million CAD amounts to around PHP270 million.

Lotto 6/49 is a popular game in Canada, drawing numbers on both Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The prize guarantees to be at least one million Canadian dollars for every draw.