“I despise the Lottery. There's less chance of you becoming a millionaire than there is of getting hit on the head by a passing asteroid.”
— Brian May
By Alex P. Vidal
EVEN if some of them doubt the authenticity of the Facebook account purportedly owned by the Pinoy who reportedly won the biggest lottery prize in the United States in a November 2022 draw, some Filipinos in the East and West Coast have responded to the winner’s “help offer” through “donation” by sending private messages to the Facebook account.
Nimrod, 48, of Nassau County, New York said he sent two private messages in the Facebook account of Edwin Castro, lone winner of the $2.4 billion Powerball jackpot in California, on February 16 and 18.
“So far, I got no reply,” Nimrod said. “I’m hoping he will read them.”
Daryl, 56, of Orange County, California, said he plans to visit Castro, who was initially reported to be a resident of Sacramento, California, after sending a long private message to the “Edwin Castro” Facebook account asking a donation for the “poor kids in Alimodian (Iloilo).”
“We have a foundation-like group (in Alimodian) that helps kids abandoned by their parents,” Daryl said. “We can start by giving them livelihood. I am positive of my proposal to Mr. Castro.”
Castro, who lives in Los Angeles County, indicated in his purported Facebook account that he was willing to share his blessings.
“This account is strictly for DONATIONS. (HELP) Now don’t be judgmental, just honestly ask for help.”
Victor, 60, a native of Dumalag, Capiz, who is based in New York City, sent me a text message on February 17 that the lucky lotto winner is a “pamelya ina ni Gov. Oto Castro sa Capiz.”
He didn’t send a private message to the Facebook account but Victor said he was hoping to connect with the lottery winner. He didn’t mention whether he was interested in the donation offer.
Victor confirmed that “I also have many scholars in Capiz.”
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Gary Anthony, one of the supposed donation beneficiaries, thanked Castro: “I'm sincerely grateful to you for your love and support to my family. God bless you for your donations, I've done everything I promised. I have paid off my debt, paid for this house and got a car so I can easily be getting to work. I wish the world had more people like you. feeling grateful in Louisville, KY.”
Castro, who alone matched all six numbers plus the Powerball, purchased the ticket at Joe’s Service Center, a gas station in Los Angeles County.
No additional information was released about Castro, who was not present at press conference and has declined to participate in media interviews.
The winner’s name is public record in California. Only 11 US states, including New Jersey, allow winners to remain anonymous.
In a February 14 post, Castro wrote: “As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it's gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well.”
He added: “I really do feel like slowing down on this but every time I get the thought of how hard things are getting by the day, It makes me sick and I just want to help more people. winning the Powerball was an amazing testimony for me and my entire family, but I can't keep all that fortune to myself, I've helped a few people and some charity homes and even though I feel like slowing down on this, I certainly get the urge to give out more because so many people are struggling and it's a pity how most politicians, rich celebrities, some doctors and top engineers spend a lot of money on worthless things instead of helping lives. so I'm still keeping up with this, I want to help uplift businesses, pay medical bills, house rent, tuition fee, clear off mortgage debt and more. So if you are currently in need of any financial assistance, just send me a message now and let's get it sorted out, don't feel shy or nervous just hit me up and I'll try as much as I can to respond to everyone. Stay Safe.”
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Also in another FB post dated February 14, Castro wrote: “As I read the secret stories everyday, I always knew that I would one day put mine to share with the world how happy I'm to have attracted money to my life by winning the lottery. I did it through pure love and everything was attracted to me including my lucky numbers and allowing me to be richer today!
“I always envisioned myself holding my big lottery check with my name on it for so many thousands of dollars! Well I am so happy to share with the world my happiness of being so much richer today by winning a big amount of money on my lottery ticket.
“I will be sure to keep on sharing the love through giving and being happy while I give and share this money that the universe has sent me and which I have attracted through being grateful every single day for more than enough of everything that I have and ever wanted!!!“
As this developed, a California man, Jose Rivera, has filed a lawsuit claiming that a winning Powerball ticket worth $2.04 billion had been stolen from him.
TMZ first reported citing court filings that Rivera claimed he bought the lucky lottery ticket from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena on Nov. 7–the day before the historic drawing.
New York Post reported that according to Rivera, a man identified by him only as “Reggie” somehow swiped the Powerball ticket from him that same day. The complaint reportedly does not explain the circumstances of the alleged theft.
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After the drawing, added the New York Post, Rivera said he approached “Reggie,” seeking to get his ticket back, but the man allegedly claimed that the ticket did not match all six numbers—but even if it did, he would agree to only split the prize 50-50.
Rivera reportedly maintains in his lawsuit that he “refused to be blackmailed” and reported the alleged theft to law enforcement officials and to the California State Lottery, demanding an investigation before the prize is handed out.
On Valentine’s Day, or three months after the unprecedented lottery drawing, Edwin Castro was identified as the winner of the largest jackpot in history.
Lottery officials said at the time that Castro alone matched all six numbers and the Powerball after purchasing the ticket at Joe’s Service Center.
Castro, who did not attend the press conference announcing the winner, chose to take the lump sum cash payment of $997.6 million, according to New York Post.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)
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