A Filipino immigrant in Canada is now a multimillionaire after winning CA$80 million—equivalent to over ₱3.2 billion—in the Lotto Max jackpot.
Justin Simporios, the lucky winner, shared in an interview with Canadian media that he kept his winning ticket safely tucked under his pillow in a Ziploc bag as he processed the life-changing news.
“This is about securing my family’s future,” Simporios said. “I’ve already spoken to a financial adviser to ensure this becomes generational wealth.”
He plans to use part of the winnings to pay off his sibling’s student loans and help his mother retire early. He also expressed a strong desire to support their relatives back in the Philippines and contribute to his local community in Surrey, British Columbia, where he and his family have lived for four years.
“We already have some charities in mind, and we’re writing down our plans. Once we meet with a financial adviser, we’ll finalize everything,” he said.