BUTUAN CITY — A 22-year-old freelance barista and aspiring vlogger from Butuan has become the first jackpot winner of ISONUS — a new Filipino digital platform where viewers can win prizes just by watching videos.

Raffie Balaga, who had paused his college education to help support his family, won ₱600,000 with the lucky five-letter entry “F-E-L-I-C” — a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Felicisima.

“Panalo ito ng mama ko. Panalo ito ng pamilya ko,” Balaga said.

How He Won

Balaga joined the ISONUS promo “Keep Your Eyes On Us”, where viewers earn tokens by watching videos. These tokens can be converted into entries for a growing jackpot draw.

Every day, Raffie borrowed his brother’s phone to vlog and watch ISONUS content, holding on to hope that someday his time would come.

That day arrived on July 19, 2025 — during ISONUS’s bi‑weekly live game show, “Saan Aabot ang 1 Life Mo?”, when his token submitted under “F‑E‑L‑I‑C” was chosen. He received his ₱600,000 tax-free cheque during an awarding ceremony on July 29 at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office in Agusan del Norte, attended by DTI officials, ISONUS executives, and his family.

Balaga’s win represents ISONUS’s first major payout — and a milestone that underscores the platform’s vision of creating genuine, community-rooted impact.

“Thank you, Lord,” Balaga said. “And thank you, ISONUS. You gave me a headstart. A new beginning.”

With his prize money, Raffie plans to purchase a new phone for vlogging, invest in a motorcycle for daily transport, expand his mother’s small store, and eventually open his own coffee shop — a lifelong goal rooted in his work as a barista.

What Is ISONUS?

ISONUS is a new digital platform built by Filipinos, for Filipinos, designed to support both creators and viewers.

ISONUS aims to be a true home for local creators by rewarding them not only through views but through their audience’s success. When viewers watch content, earn tokens, and win prizes, creators receive a share — creating a unique, community-driven reward system.

The platform operates on a subscription model, offering exclusive content, featured creators, and prize-based games like “Where Will One Life Take You?” and “Bes, Guess?!” Jackpots start at ₱500,000 and increase until someone wins.

“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 creators and viewers.”

Raffie’s story shows that every view, every token, and every entry holds the potential to change a life. His win isn’t just a milestone for ISONUS — it’s proof that even the smallest dreams can grow into something extraordinary when given the right platform.

📷 Isonus