Filipino-Canadian wins record $80M lotto jackpot in Canada; plans to help family, community, visit PH
A Filipino-Canadian man from Surrey, British Columbia, has won the largest Lotto Max jackpot ever claimed by a single person in Canada.
Justin Simporios, who bought his winning ticket at the Walmart Supercentre in Central City, Surrey, took home a massive $80 million from the May 9, 2025, lottery draw.
He found out he won while checking the lottery results late at night.
'I saw that someone won $80 million in Surrey. I was joking and told my wife, 'we're millionaires!' and she told me to stop making that joke. After, I manually checked each number before scanning [using the BCLC Lotto! App]. I cried and shouted, 'we're millionaires!'' Simporios said via British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
The excitement did not stop there. Simporios shared that his wife was in 'complete disbelief and a bit mad' when he woke her up, as their daughter was unwell. However, realizing the life-changing news, they both shared the overwhelming joy.
With his newfound fortune, Simporios plans to prioritize his family and give back to the community.
'I want to help my family and my wife's family. I'll pay off my sister's medical school debt and help my mom retire early – just giving my family a head start in life,' he said.
'I've struggled before and needed help. Even if I can give an ounce of happiness, I want to help where we can. This feels like a dream,' he added.
Simporios also plans to visit his family in the Philippines for a long-awaited reunion, as his wife and child have never been there. Additionally, as a fan of the LA Lakers, he hopes to watch LeBron James play before the basketball star retires.
'The biggest change will be having more time with my wife and family. We want to live with a purpose – to help the community around us,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
5 hours ago
- Filipino Times
FCBG FIL Bahrain national select training camp concludes with resounding success
The Filipino Club Basketball Group (FCBG) FIL Bahrain National Select Training Camp was successfully concluded on May 23, 2025 at the Muharraq Club Gym, Bahrain, a highlight in the development of high-level basketball talent in the Kingdom. Organized by FCBG and Filipino Coaches in the Gulf, the Al Khobar, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Bahrain players underwent tough high-level skills development, holistic tactics training, and interactive team-building activities. For the Head Coach Jojo Arpon, the camp was more than just developing sports skills, but also developing the discipline and a higher level of understanding of the game for those attending the camp. 'It is not merely designed to enhance athletic abilities but also aimed to instill discipline and deepen the participants' understanding of the sport,' Coach Jojo said. He also stressed the importance of cultivating character along with basketball ability. Organizers and coaches both praised the players for their dedication and commitment, calling the camp a giant leap towards continuing to bring basketball closer to mainstream popular culture among Filipino communities throughout the Gulf. As the camp wrapped up, organizers were hopeful regarding upcoming projects and a burgeoning pipeline of talent to make its mark both locally and internationally. FCBG and FIL Bahrain publicly expressed gratitude to all officials, sponsors, coaches, and athletes who helped make it happen. Success with the project indicates dedication to higher standards of basketball in Bahrain and throughout the Gulf.
Filipino Times
5 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Araw ng Kasarinlan 2025: What you shouldn't miss at the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Abu Dhabi
The Filipino community in Abu Dhabi is gearing up to celebrate Araw ng Kasarinlan to highlight Filipino heritage, creativity, and unity through vibrant performances, cultural showcases, and community activities. A full-day celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day will be held on June 21, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM at Al Jaheli Theatre, Erth Hotel, Abu Dhabi, with the theme 'Kalayaan 2025: A Festival of Philippine Culture.' Meanwhile, the most-awaited Mutya ng Kasarinlan 2025 Coronation Night will also showcase the beauty and wits of Filipinas from 6 PM to 10:30 PM. The event, organized by Bayanihan Council Abu Dhabi, brings together participants from retail, healthcare, education, finance, logistics, and Philippine-based enterprises, attracting a diverse mix of students, families, professionals, and community groups from across the UAE. Curious about what to expect? Here are some of the highlights you wouldn't want to miss! Parade and Processions The event kicks off with a Community Parade featuring various Filipino groups, symbolizing unity and national pride. A cultural procession, Sagala, will also be held where participants wear traditional and formal Filipino attire. The exciting Mutya ng Kasarinlan 2025 Coronation Night will also showcase the beauty and wits of Filipinas from 6 PM to 10:30 PM. Arts and Cultural Exhibits The celebration will include an Art Exhibit that showcases a range of visual artworks by Filipino artists in the UAE, focusing on expressions of identity, cultural heritage, and the concept of freedom. Onstage, a series of Cultural Performances will be held throughout the day, featuring traditional and contemporary Filipino dances, musical performances by choirs and bands, and segments by youth performers. Market and Exhibitions The Kalayaan Market will offer a variety of goods, services, and Filipino food from local vendors. Alongside it, an auto show will display a range of vehicles—from vintage models to modern designs. Entertainment and Activities Drum and lyre performances will energize the crowd throughout the day. Attendees can also enjoy interactive games and prizes, making the celebration fun for all ages. Best of all, admission is free! For overseas Filipinos in the UAE, this is a chance to reconnect with the community, celebrate our heritage, and mark the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence together.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
'Emirates Loves the Philippines' celebrates Philippines' 127th Independence Day with public festival
29 May 2025 19:04 ABU DHABI (WAM)'Emirates Loves the Philippines', a popular social media platform celebrating the deep friendship between the UAE and the Filipino community, is organising a major cultural celebration on June 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre to mark the 127th anniversary of the Philippines' full-day event is expected to draw over 30,000 attendees from across the Filipino community in the UAE. Emirati officials and prominent Filipino diplomats, business leaders, and social figures are also expected to vibrant celebration is a tribute to the strong ties between the UAE and the Philippines, and a chance to recognise the rich contributions of the Filipino community to the UAE's growth. The event will showcase Filipino culture through traditional music, dance, food, and art — highlighting the community's identity and deep roots in the from 08:00 to 22:00, the event will transform the Dubai World Trade Centre into a hub of Filipino pride and culture. Organised in collaboration with Dubai Police, the festival will include cultural competitions, live performances, folk dancing, handicraft exhibitions, and special entertainment areas for children. Visitors will also enjoy food stalls offering beloved Filipino dishes and celebration reflects the UAE's commitment to embracing cultural diversity and supporting its multicultural communities. As home to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, the UAE recognises their vital contributions across key sectors — from construction and engineering to healthcare, retail, and tourism. The UAE and the Philippines share a long-standing friendship, even before establishing official diplomatic ties in August 1974. These relations were further strengthened with the opening of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1980 and the UAE Embassy in Manila in 1989, paving the way for deeper and more fruitful cooperation across various fields.
