Filipina resident becomes UAE Lottery’s first female millionaire

A Filipina resident has become the first female millionaire in UAE Lottery history after winning Dh5 million ($1.3 million) in the Lucky Day Draw.

Zenn Ariane Garceles, who has lived in the UAE for 13 years, became only the third person to win the lottery’s Dh5 million second prize.

She discovered her win in an unexpected way — while scrolling through Instagram.

A random choice leads to Dh5 million

Garceles said she selected her winning numbers randomly.

She later came across a social media post mentioning that someone had won Dh5 million and decided to check her UAE Lottery account.

There, she found the message confirming that she was the winner.

For Garceles, the moment was difficult to process at first, but it quickly became one of the most memorable moments of her life.

From the Philippines to a new life in Dubai

Garceles moved from the Philippines to the UAE 13 years ago.

Before relocating, she worked as a dental assistant, but Dubai eventually became the place where she built an entirely new chapter of her life.

She met her future husband in the UAE and later started a family here.

Garceles said her experience in the country has been deeply positive, describing Dubai as central to the life she has built and the future she continues to imagine.

Family comes first

Despite suddenly becoming a millionaire, Garceles says her first priorities are focused on her family rather than luxury purchases.

She plans to use part of the winnings for her children’s education and hopes to eventually buy a family home in Dubai.

Another item on her list is a new car for her husband.

She also wants to bring her father from the Philippines to Dubai for a visit after sharing the news of her win with him shortly after finding out.

Business plans could come next

Garceles is also considering using part of the Dh5 million to start a business.

Rather than rushing into major purchases, she says she wants to approach the money carefully and think about how it can create long-term security.

That attitude is particularly important to her because the prize has the potential to change not only her immediate lifestyle, but her family’s future.

She stressed the importance of being responsible with money and avoiding unnecessary spending simply because more funds are suddenly available.

A dream of owning a home in Dubai

One of Garceles’ biggest ambitions is to own property in Dubai.

After more than a decade in the UAE, she now sees the city not simply as the place where she works, but as home.

Buying a property would therefore be more than a financial investment.

For Garceles, it would represent a permanent base for the family she created after moving to the Emirates.

The UAE Lottery continues to create major winners

Garceles’ win comes after a series of significant prizes awarded through the UAE Lottery.

The largest jackpot remains the Dh100 million won by Indian IT professional Anilkumar Bolla in October 2025.

The lottery later changed its prize structure, reducing the main jackpot to Dh30 million and introducing the Dh5 million second prize that Garceles has now won.

The Lucky Day Draw currently takes place every Wednesday and Saturday, with prizes including the Dh30 million Grand Prize, Dh5 million Second Prize and several smaller tiers.

A life-changing win with a practical plan

For many lottery winners, a multimillion-dirham prize immediately raises questions about cars, travel and luxury.

Garceles is taking a different approach.

Her plans revolve around education, housing, family and potentially building a business.

Thirteen years after arriving in the UAE for a fresh start, she is now entering another completely unexpected chapter.

And by becoming the UAE Lottery’s first female millionaire, Zenn Ariane Garceles has also secured a small place in the history of the country’s newest regulated lottery.