Filipina who won Dh1mfirst thought she was in trouble
Sanchez becomes millionaire in Al Ansari Exchange Rewards streamed live
Filipina expat Nina Elmina Sanchez, 32, has just won Dh1 million but it was like any other ordinary day for her when she talked to Gulf News after becomingmillionaire.
Sanchez, whoworks as a guest service associate for a five- star hotel in Dubai, won the Dh1million grand prize in Al Ansari Exchange Rewards draw streamed live on January 12.
After confirming that she really won, she punctually reported to work — her shift is from3pm to 12 midnight — and devotedly attended to her duties. Colleagues, family and friends congratulated her; she was excitedbut therewasno fuss.
“Winning Dh1m prize still has to sink in,” said Sanchez, who became the third Filipino expat and only the second woman towin the grand prize.
‘ Fake dollar?’
“Actually, I thought it ( winning Dh1m) was just a prank and I was not even able to answer the first call from Al Ansari at around 1pmon Tuesday,” Sanchez told Gulf News, adding: “I was at the company accommodation and a colleague ( hotel concierge) told me that a staff from Al Ansari called and was looking for me. I had no idea why — the first thing that came into my mind was: ‘ Did I exchange a fake dollar?’
“Al Ansari staff called me back and the guy on the other end slowly and gently explained to me that I just won a whopping Dh1m. I was totally overwhelmed and the good news did not sink in immediately. I was also not aware that the drawwas on that day and I did not check it on socialmedia,” she added.
Sanchez said she has no concrete plans yet on what to do with the big prize but she would definitely secure a good future for her 12- year old son, who is in the care ofher parents in the Philippines.