Senator Raffy Tulfo suggested the need to unmask and "advertise" lotto winners. Tulfo might've got the idea after reading the feel-good story of Robert Cunningham, an upright lawman in New York.
Detective Robert Cunningham is a regular of Sal's Pizzeria. Phyllis Penzo was the waitress who asked his order and then delivered it to her. And there came a time that a tip wasn't enough. The good detective promised the waitress, who was serving tables for 24 years, that he would buy a lottery ticket and then split the prize money with her if he would win.
It was a long day, so she nodded. She never thought that it would happen two weeks after his "proposal". On April's Fools Day. Hollywood followed this feel-good story. TriStar Pictures turned it into a romantic comedy starring Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda. This story happened a few decades ago, but it could happen again. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) may not have noticed it.
Lotto winner Philippines is torn between throwing caution to the wind and keeping a low profile. What are the pros and cons of revealing lotto winners publicly?
Tulfo was probing into the irregularities hounding the PCSO e-lotto games, and unmasking the winners would dispel those suspicions once and for all. The broadcast journalist-cum-politician is aware of the risk, so he would suggest that a "security" should ensure that the winners would be safe.
Director Frank Capra would love Detective Cunnigham's story, such that he would turn it into a fable like "It's a Wonderful Life". If it happens to a Filipino from a humble background, a TV producer would turn it into a tearjerker. Anyone who saw an episode of "Pangarap Kong Jackpot"? Whether we admit it or not, we need to see, and hear, these stories. It makes us tolerate the traffic during rush hour, if not getting upbeat about commuting to the office while your friends work from home. Going small is never the answer.
It can be a burden for a lotto winner to go into anonymity after claiming his/her cash prize. It's not a sin to give in to those urges (and indulge in retail therapy). Who cares? Whatever problems that arise from it, that could be handled. And it couldn't get worse. Right?
Tulfo suggested that there must be security, or any form of it, to ensure that lotto winners wouldn't encounter any problems, or complications, after claiming the jackpot prize. It's easier said than done. And enforcing a law is a huge issue in the Philippines.
If the winner comes from a lower-middle class neighborhood, then there's a possibility of a theft. Someone's life may be threatened. There'll be life-changing decisions, which is expected. Is it a good thing?
Cyndi Lauper sang about it. Hip hop artists warned about the downside of the get-rich-quick scheme. Money does bring out the worst out of people, and a lotto winner can expect everyone to have a share of that jackpot money. It won't be an issue for a generous soul, but most people aren't. Regret comes next.
It can be a class thing, as the rich, or many of them, would invest their money. Not that the middle class is capable of doing it, but winning the jackpot is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for a few people. It's similar to what Benjamin Franklin experienced during his early years. (Lightning struck after pressing his luck.)
PCSO revealed, and “advertised”, the past (jackpot) winners, but the government-owned corporation was selective on which contact details to release to the public. And their faces were covered when they were in front of the camera. It could be well and good. For now.
Many Filipinos will be lured to the possibility of getting rich quickly, so going public, and being “advertised”, would be worth the risk. It would be best to go into hiding after going public, if not move to another place. A big IF. On the other hand, keeping a low profile is still the best approach after an unexpected event like winning the lotto jackpot.
Not that the winner is greedy, but doing such a move would be better if he/she would be overwhelmed (by the winning). And problems arise from it. Most lotto winners can’t do what Detective Cunningham has done (after winning the jackpot).
“I’ve been a simple person all my life,” he says. “If I say I’ll do something, I do it. I hope money never changes me.”
What do you think?
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