Ever wondered what it’s like to be transformed from an average person next door into a real millionaire in an instant?
Visit Singapore Changi Airport tomorrow and you will get to witness an event like this unfold before your own eyes.
The stage is all set for the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Grand Draw, which will see one lucky shopper at Changi Airport winning the S$1 million cash grand prize. Every month of the promotion, which ran from May to November 2013, one finalist was drawn to participate in the Grand Draw.
I attended the grand draw last year and will be covering it again this year.
This morning, the six lucky finalists were gathered at Changi Airport Terminal 3 for a stage rehearsal of the grand draw.
I had the opportunity to interview two of the potential instant millionaires – Ms. Giam Hui Geok, 47, a merchandising manager from Singapore and Mr. Irvung Tio, 47, a businessman from Indonesia.
Ms Giam was on her way home from a business trip to China where upon her arrival on a Tiger Airways fligth from Guangzhou in June 2013, she picked out some gifts for her family in Changi Airport before heading home.
She purchased S$313 worth of SKII products from the Perfumes and Cosmetics store at Terminal 2’s arrival hall.
When asked about her plans if she were to emerge triumphant, Ms Giam preferred not to count her chickens before they hatched, “I shall figure it out what I will do with it when the money is in my pocket!”
In September 2013, Mr Tio and his family were on their way back to Jakarta after a holiday in Singapore when they shopped at Changi Airport.
While waiting to board their flight at the Terminal 2 Departure Transit Mall, he made his usual purchase of wine, before hopping over to his wife’s favourite shop – the Perfumes and Cosmetics store. There, he bought S$667 worth of Shisedo skincare products for his wife.
Mr Tio has given some thought to what he plans to do with the prize money should he win. “If I do win, I plan to share my good fortune by helping people who are less fortune, especially orphaned children who need a lot of love and financial assistance. I will also donate another part of the winnings to other charitable organisations. After that, I will probably have a small celebration with my family,” he said.
Both Ms. Giam and Mr. Tio run their own businesses and travel frequently. Ms. Giam and her husband makes regular flights to China and spend at least half of their time there each year and the other half in Singapore.
Mr. Tio flies regularly to Singapore for shopping and leisure with his wife and two children. They usually stay at Marina Bay Sands and he visits Singapore so many times that he lost count of how many visits he made last year.
Over breakfast, both shared with me their initial skepticism when they were first contacted by the organisers on being a finalist. The offer sounded too good to be true! They had to call up Changi Airport to confirm before they acknowledged their good fortune and shared it with their family and loved ones.
Mr Tio’s wife and two children will be in Singapore to support him tomorrow. Ms. Giam’s husband and other family members will be attending the event to lend her support.
I am hoping either of them will be the winner tomorrow – having brushed shoulders with both during the interview, I hope their good luck will also pass on to me, ahead of the lunar New Year.
Mr. Tio shared that he already won S$12,000 playing baccarat last night. Lady Luck seems to be beaming strongly on this man and I hope it will continue shining on him tomorrow, even though he seems rather laid back and nonchalant on the possibility of winning.
Ms. Giam on the hand, appears to be quietly confident. Her immediate plan upon winning would be to renovate her home and go travel the world. She is hopeful she will emerge triumphant tomorrow. “I am the most likely to win,” said Ms. Giam when I asked her whom she think will win the grand draw.
The other four finalists are Ms. Thum Pei Xing, 34, a relationship manager from Singapore; Mr. Valeriy Val’ Chun, 52, an engineer from Russia; Mr. Wan Bao Guo, 44, a business manager from China; and Mrs Zhang Qing, 44, a dance teacher from China.
You can find out more about all 6 of the finalists on the official “Be A Changi Millionaire” website.
On the day of the event, a series of fun activities await you. If you are among the first 500 to register, and you will receive a set of four Care Bear plush toy, FREE:
You can also take part in the on-site ‘Guess the Millionaire’ contest and stand a chance to win an iPad Mini. There will be free popcorns, balloons cupcakes and a photo booth for everyone to join in the cheers.
Event Date: 19 January 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 1pm
Venue: Changi Airport Terminal 3, Departure Hall Check-in Row 11
I will be there to witness the unveiling of the Changi Millionaire. Hope to see you there too and do say hi if we bump into each other at the event. 🙂
