Friday, December 19, 2008 Cajucom: Crazy little thing called Lot By Regina Cajucom Serendipity Couch
THE Philippine Lottery, or "lotto", as it is popularly known, has been driving Filipinos crazy for 13 years now, since Lotto 6/42 was introduced by the PCSO in 1995.
Since its legalization, betting in the lotto has become a favorite pastime to many, even a way of life to some.
There are now different lotto games, and most Filipinos of legal age have probably tried their luck in all. As of date we have eight -- Lotto 6/42, Mega Lotto 6/45, Super Lotto 6/40, Power Lotto, EZ2, 4-Digit Lotto, 6-Digit Lotto and Suertres (3-Digit Lotto).
Just this past week the gambling masses were again put into frenzy by the promise of megamillions with the 6/45 and 6/49 draws promising P120M and P180M, respectively. (As of this writing, we already have 8 new millionaires.)
The long queue of people placing their bets in Baguio lotto stations -- now totalling to 18 in 6 short years since it was introduced in the city -- is indicative of how betting in the lottery has become a way of life.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I have fallen prey to the lure of instant millions through the lottery. People at home and in the office know very well that whenever the pot hits 50M and above I would also join the craze and ask our office's Manong Ronnie to place my bets -- of course, with a promise of balato (a giveaway/portion of the prize in case I win).
I've also promised my office buddies 1 Honda CRV each if I win more than PhP5OM. I have no problem making good on my promises -- the only problem is that as with the rest of betting public, I only have a 1 out of 13 million chance to win the pot.
One out of thirteen million! I am no good at statistics, but that probability does not sound so good ("Duh!"). Yet despite that knowledge that the chance of winning is practically nil, the multitude of hopefuls placing their bets speaks for itself.
This caused me to ponder...what would it take to be deserving of the coveted instant millions? What would you need to be (or not to be), to have (or not to have), to do (or not to do) for you to make it to the shortlist of contenders for the plum? What would be God's criteria in granting this wish? Does God even have a hand in this considering that it is a form of gambling, supposedly against His teachings?
Over dinner not so long ago, we discussed this, addressing the question: If you were God, would you give you (technically, not "yourself" as God, but Regina as human) the instant wealth she dreams of whenever she bets in the lottery? And when I did search within, deliberating the question, I think I won't.
Although sometimes when I place bets, there is that feeling that I'm probably not destined to get rich that way. But there's that word again "probably", the antidote for hopelessness, which causes me to still place bets. I know, crazy is as crazy gets.
In these pressing times of underemployment, unemployment, recession and poverty, this game of chance brings hope to many. It seems pathetic that hope springs from a game where the chance of winning is one out of 13 million. But the thing is, there is that chance...a flicker of hope, a glint of something better, a spark of comfort. Sometimes that is more than enough to battle a lifetime of desperation.
* * * * *
"The road that is built in hope is more pleasant
to the traveller than the road built in despair,
even though they both lead to the same destination."
- Marian Zimmer
