A Filipina who has been working in Dubai for the past 12 years gets the shock of her life when she won Php1 million pesos in a raffle held by UAE Exchange, the very first prize she ever won since she stepped foot in the emirate.
Aiza Eliazar, who lives in Burjuman, was speechless and teary-eyed for several minutes when UAE Exchange officials declared his name during the announcement at the remittance center’s branch in Al Rigga.
Eliazar said she never knew she was included in the raffle because it was just usual for her to send money to the Philippines regularly. She did not know that her remittances have paved the way for her to get her first ever million.
“Nanginginig pa din ako, hindi pa din nag-si-sink in sa akin na nanalo ako ng Php1 milyon. I am at a loss for words,” she said.
She added that she sends money to her family and kids back home every month, and that providing for them has been the reason she has stayed in Dubai for the past 12 years.
Elizar said that she will use the money for the welfare of her kids and family back home.
“Gagamitin ko ang part ng napanalunan ko para ipadala sa mga anak ko pati sa pamilya ko na din,” she said.
According to UAE Exchange Country head Abdel Kareem Al Kayed, the Php1 million raffle was the remittance center’s way to give back to the Filipino community. The promo, launched on November 17, 2019, is exclusive for the Filipinos. All the winners were drawn by Dubai Department of Economic Development.
Al Kayed also noted that the Filipino community is the third biggest remitters of UAE Exchange.
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.”
He added that UAE Exchange continues to be committed to Filipinos by launching more offerings. One such is the “Ventaja,” which allows Filipinos to pay their SSS, Pag-ibig, PhilHealth, and other bills in the Philippines in any branch of UAE Exchange. They also have “Tara Pinoy Idol,” wherein Filipinos can upload a 30-second talent video on the UAE Exchange and get a chance to win trips to Singapore and Hollywood, or a chance to bring their families to Dubai.
