Are winners for real?

Why Lotto, Bingo, and Betting are Rampant in the Philippines: The Illusion of Winning

In the Filipino culture, from lotto to bingo and other games of chance, gambling is already in their blood. With advertisements flashing multimillion-peso jackpots and the cacophony of betting stations and bingo halls in almost every city, it is easy to see that gambling is more than just a hobby in the Philippines-it's a way of life for many. Yet, despite its ubiquity, there is another truth, far less recognized-one that there is no such thing as a winner. This blog delves into why the main type of gambling in this country is rampant but truly successful, few and far between.

Appetite for Instant Riches

Aside from the simple reasons above, one major driving force for the prevalence of gambling in this country is the promise of gaining this sort of quick and transformative wealth. In a country, for example where most people go home with just enough money to get by, the promise of turning some pesos into millions spells unavoidable temptation. Government-sponsored lottos and online bingo games create the illusion that this dream can happen to anyone at anytime. It becomes a panacea for living problems, a shaper of hope in breaking the cycle of poverty, and to live better standard of living.

Cultural and Social Norms

Gambling has also become an activity where individuals engage in the company of fellow people in the Philippines. Bingo, for example. Bingo is frequently looked out for during social gatherings, fiestas, catholic fund-raisings, or even during lamay of some. It is filled with fellowship and temporarily takes people's minds off the hardships of life. Ditto for lotto. It becomes everybody's topic of discussion at work, among friends, or even with total strangers in line waiting at a betting parlor. This social dimension makes gambling seem perfectly acceptable and, worse, promotes it.

The Delusion of Winning

While the tales of the jackpots dominate the headlines, they are an infinitesimal fraction of the numbers that engage. For every winner, millions walk away with empty pockets because of hope for victory that never comes. The money spent on gambling is that which is primarily enriching the operators, be it the government-run lotto organizations or private operators of bingo.


Even a million winners cannot control their massive winnings. It means that many of these winners, without adequate financial literacy and help, immediately lose the fortune they won. And so, this vicious cycle goes on and on and hampers economic progress in the country. This is a symptom of the fact that average Filipinos do not reap sustainable prosperity from gambling.


This reflects a deeper, more socioeconomic issue with regard to the pervasiveness of gambling throughout the Philippines. Limited job availability, minimum wages, and lack of social safety nets promote alternative means of improving one's financial situation, and for some, a fleeting hope in the form of gamming. But when one's reality begins to crush, risking a few pesos for the chance of big-time winning seems worthwhile, even against all odds.

Conclusion: Why There Are No Real Winners

Essentially, what drives public fascination with gambling in the Philippines is the hope and dream of better days. Yet, this is often a fleeting dream as typically, most participants lose money. The true winners here are the operators and their affiliated institutions that win big from the collective need for quick cash. For an average Filipino, the illusion of gambling promises is mostly a fantasy that breeds false hope and insecurity when it comes to money.


This can only stop if there is an emphasis on financial education and the creation of opportunities that lead to real, sustainable paths of success. While those who are not so well known celebrities, influencers, and vloggers promote gambling may be one of the cause of its widespread ramifications, gambling will stay because very few people have anything else but that fleeting hope of a jackpot that never comes.

The 23rd Spanish film festival

Pelikula Spanish Film Festival 2024: Fiesta de Cine Español y Latinoamericano

On October 5-13th, the cinema aficionado audience was yet again treated to an exciting show of Spanish and Latin American films at the PELíCULA Spanish Film Festival. Organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in coordination with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, the festival ran from October 5-13, 2024. The PELíCULA, on its 23rd edition, continues to be the most distinguished Spanish film festival in Southeast Asia because it features prize-winning films in various genres.

This was held at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong and gathered a dynamic lineup of films as it was an exemplification of the richness and diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures. The festival not only covered heartfelt dramas but also gave thrill to animations, which is all testimony to the evolving forms of storytelling by Spanish and Latin American filmmakers.

A Journey Through Spanish and Latin American Cinematic Excellence

Since it had been launched in 2002, PELíCULA became one of the most eagerly waited cultural events in the region. In addition to being one of the best Spanish and Latin American films in Filipino markets, many were also recognized at international film festivals. Any genre - drama, comedy, thriller, or documentary - PELíCULA entertains the taste of all audiences.

Different films were featured in this year's program, telling the multiple narratives, cultures, and history of Spain and its Latin American counterparts. The "Carmen", for example, can be watched. How about the exquisite "Loli Tormenta" or "Benito Pérez Buñuel"?

PELíCULA 2024 Featured Films

Here is a rundown take on the standout films and documentaries:

1. Carmen: A musical romanticism about the Spanish opera, where tradition and contemporary mix differently.
2. Loli Tormenta: A peaceful comedy reflecting on family through light-hearted display.
3. Benito Pérez Buñuel: A tribute to the legendary filmmaker, which recreates his life and works together.
4. El amor brujo: A powerful drama, full of passion and love, which betrays a couple in front of the audience.
5. El maestro que prometió, Robot Dreams, and Dispararon al pianista were also some of the films that, by virtue of their innovative storytelling, impressed audiences.

Other attractions were the well-informed documentary "Hispanoamérica, canto de vida y esperanza", the "Cerrar los ojos" feature; and the touching drama, "Las hijas". Also on the list are "Rioja, la tierra de los mil vinos", an invitation to witness Spain's culture for wine-making.

The Audience's Choice: Premio del Público

Probably, the most eagerly anticipated event for the festival was the Premio del Público or the Audience Choice Award. In this event, the audience votes for the film it will like best. This year definitely was no exception since the audience was spoilt for choice in viewing some excellent films cut from the same cloth of themes, including love, identity, family, and personal growth.

A Platform for Cultural Exchange

Not only films, but PELíCULA means much more as it sets up an understanding between the Filipino and the Spanish-speaking communities by deriving empathy for the cultures of Spain and Latin America. End.

The festival is also an excuse to watch some of the world's finest films and celebrate the vibrant cultural ties between the Philippines and Spain. With both Spanish and Latin American films on the roster, spectators will revel in the rich tapestry of cultures that unite the regions, reflecting shared history and growing contemporary narratives.

Mark your calendars for next year!

For those who could attend, PELíCULA 2024 was a cinematic journey that highlighted the best of Spanish filmmaking. If you couldn't make time for this year's screenings, worry not; PELíCULA will be back next year, 2025 with its next griping lineup of films promising yet again to get everyone on the edge of their seats.

Stay tuned for more Instituto Cervantes de Manila and Spanish Embassy including other Spanish-speaking countries, updates as they continue to bring the beauty of Spanish cinema to the Filipino audience. Until then, ¡disfruta del cine! (Enjoy the cinema!)

Singaporeans trashtalk online Filipino gamers

"Your mother is my maid, lah." said Singaporeans as they trashtalk online Filipino gamers. Being a domestic helper is a noble profession, but we cannot keep our country's reputation this way. We must raise the morale of our people by fixing our country, the first step of which is constitutional reforms.

We need to open our country to 100% equity shares for foregin investors to do business here in the country. Doing so, will provide job opportunities to our contrymen to work here, be here with their family members and relatives. Let's put an end on exporting Filipinos to work abroad, instead, let foreigners to do business here and have our kababayans work for decent jobs here.

Let's support the economic constitutional reform. It has been 37 years since 1987 that our country is lagging behind Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.