A Davaeno who took his chances in Dubai six years ago arriving on visit visa and currently working as a florist last night won Php1 million in a raffle held by UAE Exchange.
Ian John Omila, 33, who lives in Satwa, was teary eyed when UAE Exchange officials announced him winner during simple ceremonies at the remittance center’s Al Rigga branch.
Omila, who revealed that his salary is in the range of Dh2,000 to Dh4,000 a month, said he regurly sends up to Php9,000 to his mom and dad back home, the most recent being late last month. He said he has not sent them anything yet for this month “kasi wala pa akong pera.”
Omila said he will use part of the money to pay a lot he has invested in back home. He took up a course in computer programming back home but found out when he got in Dubai that he would need at least a certification in the UAE before he could land a related job.
Hence, he took a job as a cashier and later a florist after his employers expanded their business to include a flower shop.
The Php1 million raffle was a way of UAE Exchange’s giving back to the Filipino community. Abdel Kareem Al Kayed, UAE Exchange country head, said the promo includes daily draw giving away a free Dubai-Manila-Dubai roundtrip ticket.
Last night’s winner for the roundtrip ticket was Rizza Mia Alvarez who hails from Malolos.
Meantime, two Filipinos stand to take home Php1 million in two separate draws — the first of which was held last ngiht — and in early January 2020.
The promo is exclusive for Filipinos. The Dubai Department of Economic Development did the raffle draw. Filipinos only need to send money home through UAE Exchange to be included in the raffle draw.
The promo was launched on Nov. 17.
Al Kayed said UAE Exchange has been around for the past 39 years and has noted that the Filipino community is the third biggest remittance exchange corridor.
He explained: “We all know Filipinos are very emotionally attached to their loved ones back in the Philippines. Filipinos remit a lot to their loved ones. We noticed that Filipinos do not remit once or twice a year; they remit regularly. They always send money back home to their family for their children’s education, among others.”
