Taking chances

MOST people are used to using the metaphoric phrases such as “winning the lottery” or “hitting the jackpot” whenever they encounter a fortunate incident in their lives.
In the Philippines, however, “winning the lottery” is more than just a phrase—it has  become a recent mantra to those people who hoped that they could be the winners of the whopping P 741 million (approximately $16,723 million)—until someone was declared the sole winner last November 29.
After 86 draws, the lucky bettor who placed the combinations11-16-42-47-31-37 at a lotto outlet in Olongapo City, Zambales was declared the winner, thus ending the momentary suspense of other hopeful bettors.
Despite the inevitable disappointments of the non-winners, the hefty amount of prize money recently won in the 6/55 Grand Lotto seem to be slowly directing the public to prefer the legal numbers game over the unauthorized jueteng, a palace official said.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that although they lack concrete data, they are basing on the “anecdotal statements from people,” thus coming up with the observation that “it seems like jueteng was affected. Because the prize is really big, many are encouraged to bet in a legal way.”
Lacierda also clarified that the favor of lotto over jueteng might also depend on the amount at stake. “How often does a pot reach this high?  It’s something that is very, very subject to fortune,” the spokesman added.
The government has long been battling the numbers game jueteng, an illegal numbers game.  It has been participated by the rich and poor alike, with the promise of unlimited bets and quick money.
Likewise, the recent 6/55 Grand Lotto’s lucrative jackpot prize also got people—from  housemaids to the officials of the Malacañang—placing their bet on the jackpot prize with great hopes of winning.
Linda Oducayen, 45, a housemaid in Pasay City, said in an interview from the Asian News Network that she is placing her hopes in winning the lotto believing that it is the only way she could lift her family out of poverty.
“I don’t usually pray the rosary, but now I do, especially a few hours before I bet,” Linda said in Filipino.
In a report from the Inquirer, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto, also a lotto bettor, said that there is a possibility that lotto will be a “jueteng killer” should the minimum prize be P200 million (or approximately $4,535 million).
Admitted that he himself also placed his bet on the Grand Lotto, Lacierda said that President Aquino is not prohibiting Palace officials like him to try their luck on lotto not only for the possible fulfillment of a dream, but also for additional funds to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Although the funds accumulated by the PCSO will be used in alleviating the conditions of the poorest of the poor, members of the church however criticized government officials who placed their bets on the lotto.
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Cruz expressed his dismay on senators who bet on lotto saying in a local radio interview that he finds it inappropriate for senators to place their bets on lotto for they might send a wrong message to people to rely on luck instead of hard work given their “high positions.”
To risk is one of life’s greatest adventures. Most of times, it takes courage to take a chance.  Sometimes, all it takes is a twist of good luck for a person to win a challenge. But no matter what the results may be, it is how a person reaps the benefits or consequences of the chances he or she has taken that will determine his character.
(www.asianjournal.com)