ABU DHABI, UAE — A Filipino bakery worker and nine of his longtime friends are celebrating a life-changing victory after their ticket won the Dh20-million grand prize in Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket draw.
Reynaldo Herboso, 61, a Filipino who has been living and working in Dubai since 1988, was named the winner of Big Ticket Series 289 after ticket number 267822, purchased on July 13, was drawn for the top prize on August 3, 2026.
However, Herboso will not be keeping the entire Dh20 million. The winning ticket was jointly purchased by a group of 10 friends from the Philippines, India and Bangladesh, who have reportedly been pooling their money to buy Big Ticket entries for around 15 years.
The jackpot will be divided equally among the group, meaning each member is expected to receive approximately Dh2 million — a life-changing amount equivalent to roughly ₱31 million, depending on the prevailing exchange rate.
Herboso works as a cake decorator and designer at a bakery in Dubai. After decades of working in the UAE, the unexpected windfall could finally give him the opportunity to retire and return home.
According to media reports, Herboso is considering investing part of his winnings in rental properties in the Philippines, which could provide him with a steady source of income during retirement.
Their victory is particularly meaningful because the group had been trying their luck together for years. After around 15 years of consistently participating, their patience finally paid off with one of Big Ticket’s biggest prizes.
The story also highlights the strong friendships formed among expatriate workers in the UAE. Despite coming from different nationalities, the 10 friends continued contributing and purchasing tickets as a group — and will now share the Dh20-million fortune together.
For Herboso, the win could mark the beginning of a new chapter after nearly four decades of working abroad.
From decorating cakes in Dubai to becoming part of a Dh20-million jackpot-winning group, his story has quickly become another remarkable tale of an overseas Filipino worker whose years of hard work may finally lead to a more comfortable retirement.
Source: Reports from The National and Khaleej Times.