...do you ask for 'balato' ?
By jeanneyvonne
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
Philippines
April 19, 2012 2:23am CST
think almost everyone in our country has an interest in lotto and other means of getting quick cash. while a few people who are lucky enough to win such big prizes, majority of us are stills searching ways to win the same prizes. But if we know the winner, we usually ask for 'balato' or some of their winnings. Do you ask for 'balato' yourself or do you wait for the winner to award you the 'balato'.
6 responses
@laniekins (4579)
• Philippines
19 Apr 12
If the winner is my mother, I will definitely ask for balato, but if it's a friend or acquaintance, I'll wait for them to give me rather than asking. Sometimes we just said it for the sake of just saying and not really meant.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
21 Apr 12
I am like you laniekins. If the winner is my father or mother, and if it's really a big amount, i would surely ask for a "balato". But if it's just for some thousands like my mother would always win in lotto, i don't ask.
But she would always give us a "balato" - a hundred each. Pang snack daw. 
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
22 Apr 12
I think both of you have a point. asking balato from immediate family is still acceptable since we can exert more pressure on them and we can guilt-trip them more easily than others 
. But if it's a friend or a complete stranger, we are more conscious that we might appear greedy over their prize.
. But if it's a friend or a complete stranger, we are more conscious that we might appear greedy over their prize.@laniekins (4579)
• Philippines
24 Apr 12
Even if we ask, our parents will definitely give us balato.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
19 Apr 12
I haven't known someone who has won lotto yet. If I do, I would ask for a "balato" or a treat or small share from the winner, that is what I normally will do in a joke way. I always ask for this not with meaning but only half meant. If the winner would give out, then I would say thanks, If he doesn't then it is fine. He/she might have something else better in mind on what to do with his money.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
22 Apr 12
'Joke way' or 'Guilt trip way'. I think like you, I would like to be treated by someone that I known to be a winner. It's you know kinda good that someone treats you for free. I think we all pursue this in a half-meant way since we don't want tot presume or pressure them into our will. We should also consider that the prize belonged to that person and how he spends it is his concern.
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
22 Apr 12
oh, i have never heard of anyone winning such big prizes, but well i have had friends whoo got cash prizes from parties, during christmas or any other celebrations...
well i guess there were just those who are thick skinned and does ask people for balato.. but i don't. i kid friends who are really close to me for a treat, but i have never really asked someone to give me a share of the money they have won.
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
21 Apr 12
I don't think I will ever ask, or even expect, for a "balato" or a tip. I feel like I have no share in somebody's winnings. I have a friend who won some money when we went to a casino. I was very happy for him but I didn't even think of getting a tip or a treat from him. Come to think of it, it makes me feel like I'm imposing a debt of gratitude on someone who doesn't even owe me anything.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
22 Apr 12
well, you gave a good perspective on that one. yes, we really don't obligate them to share teh money or pressure to do it. whoever, there are people who are very eager to ask for a share of winnings if someone they knew won something. I don't really know why they do it but maybe it may lead to abusing that person or guilt-tripping him because he was lucky enough to win. At least, you feel that the money is his business and not yours.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
23 Apr 12
I think we should wait for them to offer the "balato". I think Filipinos love to ask " balato" but they do it in a joking manner. Filipinos always ask "balato" even on simple winnings like card games, bingo or a game of pool, like I said it's done in a form of a joke, but the ones who really pester you are the losers or those you beat to the game
, they love to gamble, lose everything and pester the winner for "balato" to have capital and gamble some more, that's bad, very bad...hehe but some people do it.
, they love to gamble, lose everything and pester the winner for "balato" to have capital and gamble some more, that's bad, very bad...hehe but some people do it.
@butterscotsh (1012)
• Philippines
25 Apr 12
If I know someone who wins the lottery, I will definitely
ask for a balato. Why not, right?
