A Filipino machine operator in Abu Dhabi has been named the sole grand prize winner of the Ahalia Exchange Summer Promotion 2025, taking home AED 100,000 in the nationwide campaign that distributed a total of AED 150,000 in prizes.
Ansari Macondara Datumanong, who hails from Mindanao and has lived in the UAE for 15 years, secured the top prize during the grand draw held at the Al Quoz Mall Branch in Dubai. The promotion, which ran from July 25 to November 21, 2025, attracted thousands of remitters across the UAE through monthly electronic draws and a final AED 100,000 jackpot supervised by UAE authorities.
Datumanong, a Mindanao native who has spent 15 years in the UAE working as a machine operator in Abu Dhabi, said the win is a milestone in his long journey as an overseas Filipino worker.
He shared with TGFM that he has trusted the exchange house for nearly a decade, citing convenience and affordability as his reasons for staying loyal. “Nag papadala ako sa Ahalia Exchange halos Sapung taon na. Malapit ang Branch nila kung San ako nakatira. Mataas kasi ang rate ng Ahalia Exchange at mura ang service charge. Tapos lagi sila may mga raffle draw.”
Winning the AED 100,000 prize, he said, comes after enduring years of hardship while providing for his family from an industrial area in Abu Dhabi. “Mahirap talaga Ang buhay sa abroad lalo na kaming nasa industrial area. Pero lumalaban ako Kasi may apat akong anak na gusto kong makatapos ng pag aaral at maibigay ko pangangailangan ng aking pamilya.”
Datumanong already knows how he intends to use the money. “Half ng napanalunan ko iinvest ko sa Lupa at Ang kalahati pa ay ilalaan ko sa pagaaral ng aking mga anak.”
He encouraged fellow overseas Filipinos to stay strong despite the challenges of working abroad. “Sa mga kapwa ko na OFW na nag susumikap dito sa bansang UAE. Laban lang tayo, wag tayong susuko. Kagaya nyo rin akong nangangarap. Malaking bagay iyong premyong napanalunan ko, Isang reward ito sa 15 years kong pakikipagsapalaran sa UAE. Darating Ang Araw, kayo naman Ang mananalo.”
The Ahalia Exchange Summer Promotion 2025 included monthly draws awarding AED 1,000 to dozens of winners across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, culminating in the AED 100,000 jackpot that Datumanong won.
