Filipinos catch lottery fever

For most of the past month , Filipinos of all ages and from all walks of life have been dreaming of the same thing: Winning the biggest prize ever in Philippine lottery.

The Superlotto jackpot was estimated to reach a staggering $8.3 million by last weekend after several winner-less draws since last month, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

With millions of Filipinos lining up to place their bets, queues are long outside lottery outlets, with many running out of betting cards for the Superlotto draw held three times a week.

"This is crazy,’’ said one woman, who had to share a card with a construction worker to place her bets for Sunday’s draw. "But it’s a chance of a lifetime and I’d be crazier if I don’t try my luck.’’

It took the woman nearly an hour to place her bet at a lottery outlet in a Manila City shopping mall.

"There goes my lunch break. Now, I don’t have time to eat, but that’s OK,’’ she said.

Millions of Filipinos are hoping they have the winning six-number combination to hit the jackpot. Each bet costs 50 cents.

In Manila’s Quiapo district, 20-year-old April Delos Reyes attended Mass before placing her bet on the Superlotto. A college student and the eldest of eight children, she said winning the big prize would be a life-changing experience for her family who live in a slum area in Manila.

"I hope my prayers will be answered, because life has really been hard,’’ she said as she rushed to catch a mini-bus to her school, where she works part-time to help pay tuition.

According to the PCSO, the previous biggest prize for the Superlotto reached $6.5 million, which was won in April 2008 by a construction worker from Quezon City.