Hail the winners

Last Saturday, April 16 was the elimination round for the Poker King Challenge, and it was a big turn out at the Hyatt Hotel! I didn’t realize that there were that many enthusiastic poker players in the country. I had reserved two tables for my colleagues for the elimination games, but when Rey announced that there were several names on reserve (read: late registrants), I had to gingerly ask my poker mates to give way to the late comers in the spirit of sportsmanship. Of course they very willingly obliged, happy to see the enthusiastic response of the poker players and the big crowd milling about in the game area of the tournament. There were even some wives who came to give moral support to their husbands.

Toni Ann Halili and Tin Gamboa emceed the event while Mr. Roberto Reyes, branch manager of Casino Filipino – Hyatt delivered the opening remarks and poker colleague Tony Halili administered the oath of sportsmanship. At around two p.m., the games began.

The gaming area was quiet, an almost eerie calmness like one that precedes a storm. Except that the storm never came, because poker, being a mind game, requires a lot of concentration and focus. In our big and small league weekly games, the games usually progress into rowdy, playful skirmishes because of the endless "kantiyawans". Sometimes they even turn into sing-along nights, but all the while mindful of the opponents’ cards, demeanor and body language. In last Saturday’s games, only the guttural sounds of "call" and "raise could be heard, and everyone’s intense focus was palpable.

Toni Ann walked from table to table, giving an update of the progress of the games. Of course, the very bold ones went either of two ways only: they retired prematurely from the game, or wiped out everyone else in the table. Novices Joel Lugay and Chuck Reyes from Valle Verde Country Club breezed through their opponents to enter the semi-finals, with Joel actually emerging in first place. To think that Joel just learned the game a few weeks ago, precisely to enter the contest! Talk about bravado, this kid has it.

Rey and I, together with poker colleagues Tony Sulit, Tony Halili, Ray John Gamboa and the rest of the gang were content watching from the sidelines, occasionally watching over the shoulders of some players to watch the progress of the games. All the while, from 1 p.m. to about 6 p.m., food and drinks flowed at the HYATT, courtesy of Pagcor management. The Pagcor bosses walked the floors with hawk eyes, watching their boys deal the cards with professional precision. They need not have worried – the boys and girls of Pagcor measured up to the challenge.

Here are the results of last Saturday’s elimination round:

Tyrell Tugade Modesto Gacho

Wilson Dy Aristotle Manuel

Ronald Javier Ramon Gelvezon

Marco Aventajado Pablo Alonso

Gardy Cruz Patrick Stephen Liao

Mauri Balauitan Arturo Uniza

Wilfred Chiok Graham Barnett

Jose Noel Lugay Ray Panlilio

Domingo Uy Edward Uy

Enrique del Prado Carlo Castro

Peter Hall Greg Manalo

Boy Tipon Oliver Zorilla

Manuel Baldeo III Vinson Ang

Bambi Zulueta Klaus Torgaard

Carlo Reyes Giancarlo Dy

The semi-finals and the finals will be at the Casino Filipino in Parañaque. Not having been able to play in the elimination round, we will have to sit this out again, but we’re not complaining. I had fun watching and analyzing the games from the sidelines. The semi-finals should be just as fun. It would be a little more intense as the players are all winners already. By the finals match, the spectators would be on tenterhooks as this would determine who the Poker King and his court would be. Watch for it.

Meanwhile, Rey Gamboa Is advising all those interested to sign up for the next leg of the Poker Challenge to sign up early this time. We had to turn away a lot of late registrants but they will be given priority in the next leg, so slots may be very limited. Sign up early to ensure your slot.

Also, the biggest automobile event of the year the Michelin Auto Focus Aypc (Automobile of the Year People’s Choice Award) will have its second weekend of exhibit of all the latest models of cars, accessories and everything pertaining to the motoring industry today and tomorrow at the FORT. The first weekend was a resounding success, but more on that in another issue. Don’t forget to text in your favorite automobile just text AUTO and send to 283 for Smart Gold, Buddy and Talk N’ Text subscribers and 2214 for Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers. Remember, let your vote count in determining the Automobile Of The Year For 2005. It’s the people’s choice award, so we would like to know your personal preferences.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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