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Raffie Balaga, a 22-year-old freelance barista and aspiring vlogger from Butuan, broke down in tears as he learned he had just won ₱600,000 tax-free through ISONUS—a homegrown Filipino rewards and entertainment platform where users can win life-changing prizes simply by watching content.

It felt surreal, but Raffie had always held on to hope. He prayed every day for this moment, visualized it, and even mapped out how he would use the money—long before the winning draw. More than anything, he had been waiting for a fresh start.

“We didn’t build ISONUS to take chances away from people—we built it to give them a chance to dream again,” said ISONUS CEO Reymar Castillo. “This isn’t gambling. Our mission is to reward content creators and viewers. Made by Filipinos, for Filipinos. Because stories like Raffie’s—that’s the heart of why we exist.”

Raffie is ISONUS’ first-ever jackpot winner, and today, he officially received his cheque in a heartwarming ceremony at DTI Agusan Del Norte office, witnessed by Division Chief of the Consumer Protection Division and Chief Trade and Industry Specialist, Ms. Arcily Gonzaga, and Mr. Troy Felias, DTI Sales & Promo Specialist, ISONUS CEO, Mr. Reymar Castillo, and Raffie’s family. He won using his game entry “F,E,L,I,C,” short for Felicisima—his mother’s name—which ended up being the lucky combo that changed everything for their family.

Raffie’s story is rooted in quiet perseverance. His father passed away seven years ago due to diabetes, leaving their mother, Felicisima, to raise four children on her own through a small sari-sari store. When ISONUS first visited Raffie, they were hesitant to let the team inside their home. The house was dilapidated, too damaged to accommodate visitors. His school uniforms and books remained unused because Raffie had stopped studying due to financial hardship.

And yet, through all of this, he remained hopeful. He borrowed his brother’s phone to vlog and watch ISONUS videos and submit entries to ISONUS’ DTI-registered game promo, ‘Keep Your Eyes On Us’. 

When he finally won, it was the beginning of a new chapter. Raffie plans to buy his own phone so he can make good quality vlogs, purchase a motorcycle for emergencies and daily transportation, provide fresh capital for his mom’s sari-sari store, and most of all—fulfill his dream of opening his own coffee shop. A thriving barista in Butuan, Raffie wants to build a space that serves both good coffee and a good future.

For Raffie, this is more than a cash prize. It’s a second chance for him, and a victory for his entire family. “Panalo ito ng mama ko. Panalo ito ng pamilya ko,” he said.
“This is more than money. This is a miracle,” Raffie said. “And ISONUS was the bridge.”

All of it was made possible by ISONUS, the revolutionary entertainment platform where viewers and creators can win big—no gambling, just real engagement. Raffie’s win proves that through faith, intention, and platforms that give back like ISONUS, real change is possible. And for one family in Butuan, that change has just begun.

Raffie says it best: “Thank you, Lord. And thank you, ISONUS. You gave me a headstart. A new beginning.”