Manila Megastack 23 Concludes Record-Breaking Festival At Okada Manila

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Updated: 2025.12.10

The record-breaking Manila Megastack 23 came to an exciting close after twelve days of nonstop poker action at the world-class Okada Manila. PokerStars LIVE Manila ran the festival from November 27 to December 8, 2025, drawing a massive field that kept all 52 tournament and cash game tables packed from start to finish.

The festival awarded 54 coveted PokerStars spadies and generated a staggering overall prize pool of PHP 96,958,257 (~USD 1,653,625), marking one of the largest turnouts in the event’s history.

Edilberto Gopez Crowned Main Event Champion

Edilberto Gopez - Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Champion — Edilberto Gopez – Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Champion

The Manila Megastack 23 Main Event, , which had a buy-in of PHP 45,000 (~USD 760) and opened with a PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 338,000) guarantee, attracted a massive field of 850 entries, including 446 unique players. The competition was fierce, and as the tournament progressed, the prize pool swelled to an impressive PHP 33,392,250 (~USD 569,505), with 128 players making it into the money.

In the end, only one player could claim the top prize. Local standout Edilberto Gopez dominated the final table, raising aggressively in nearly every hand and asserting control over the action from start to finish. His strategic play left little room for his opponents to gain traction, forcing others into tough decisions and gradually chipping away at the competition. Gopez ultimately captured the Main Event trophy along with PHP 5,750,000 (~USD 98,065), marking the largest payout of his career.

“I am very, very happy. Before the end of 2025, I can finally pay off all my debts.”

Gopez came close to winning the Manila Megastack 19 Main Event in September 2024 but was narrowly defeated by William Ysmael in heads-up play. A year later, he returned for revenge and dominated the final table. The last six players returned on the final day, and Gopez wrapped up the title in just an hour and a half. He eliminated Rikiya Ogura in fifth place, Junele Oswa in fourth, and Raymond Tiu in third before defeating Eoghann Macgabhann in just two hands during the heads-up showdown.

Even after previous tournament successes, Gopez primarily plays in the Philippines and only travels internationally when the opportunity arises. After this win, however, the possibility of international events may finally open up.

“I don’t have enough bankroll and no one to stake me for international events, but if an opportunity or sponsor comes up, I’d definitely go”

#42 Main Event (50,000 PHP)

The flagship event of Manila Megastack 23 came to a close inside the halls of Okada Manila, where local regular Edilberto Gopez claimed the Spadie trophy and the PHP 5,750,000 top prize after navigating one of the series’ toughest and most diverse fields. Already a familiar face on the Manila circuit with more than 30 local cashes, Gopez topped his previous career-best result by more than double, turning this run into a defining milestone. He carried a dominant chip lead into the final table and ultimately sealed the victory in a short heads-up match against Eoghan MacGabhann, earning the biggest score of his career on home turf.

Total Prize USD

$569,505

Total Prize

₱33,392,250

Guaranteed

₱20,000,000

Entries

850

ITM

128

#	Payout	Player	SPI
1	₱5,750,000 $98,065	EG Edilberto Gopez Philippines	2,551.15
2	₱3,600,000 $61,400	EM Eoghan Macgabhann Ireland	1,803.93
3	₱2,560,000 $43,660	RT Raymond Tiu Philippines	1,472.91
4	₱2,000,000 $34,110	JO Junele Oswa Philippines	1,275.57
5	₱1,535,000 $26,180	RO Rikiya Ogura Japan	1,140.91
6	₱1,180,000 $20,125	MY Mc Yeldarb Mantos Philippines	1,041.50
7	₱900,000 $15,350	JK Jinhyun Kim South Korea	964.24
8	₱700,000 $11,940	AO Alessandro Oppicini Italy	901.97
9	₱538,250 $9,180	SL Siyuan Liu China	850.38

Check the 128 Payouts & Results ...

Manila Megastack Grows Globally

What started as a local event has now grown into a truly global attraction. Manila Megastack 23 drew a total of 6,722 entries across the entire festival, including a massive 1,109 unique players representing 43 different flags, up from 35 in the previous edition. The diverse field brought together seasoned pros and ambitious newcomers from all over the world, creating an electrifying atmosphere at every table. This impressive turnout highlights the growing popularity of the Manila Megastack and its rise as a must-play destination on the international poker calendar.

The festival also saw a notable rise in Indian players, a trend that has continued since the APPT Championship. Direct flights to Manila and tighter online casino regulations in India have driven more players toward live tournaments. The series also drew strong participation from China, Australia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Festival Final Numbers

Festival Prize Pool: PHP 96,958,257 (~USD 1,653,625)
Total Entries: 6,722
Unique Players: 1,109
Biggest Earner: Edilberto Gopez – PHP 5,797,500 (~USD 98,884)
Multiple Winners: Christian Lortie (2), Takuo Serita (2), Kelly Tasman (2)

Japan Leads The Spadie Count

Even though the festival was held in Manila, Japanese players made a major impact, dominating the leaderboard and taking home a total of 21 out of 54 spadies throughout the series. Among them, Takuo Serita stood out as one of the most impressive performers, securing two spadies by the end of the festival. He first claimed the crown in Event #1 Start Up and later triumphed in Event #13 Super Knockout. The strong showing by Japanese players highlighted the international reach and competitive depth of the Manila Megastack.

Winners by Country:
Japan 21, Philippines 7, Korea 5, Indonesia 3, Canada 2, Malaysia 2, Singapore 2, United Kingdom 2, Australia 1, France 1, Finland 1, India 1, Peru 1, Spain 1, United States 1

Players Party At La Piazza

Day 2 of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event, also the second-to-last day of the festival, was highlighted by the eagerly awaited Player’s Party at La Piazza inside Okada Manila. The moment players arrived, the line stretching out the door made it clear this was a must-visit stop on the festival calendar. Excitement and chatter filled the air as attendees eagerly anticipated a break from the intense poker action.

La Piazza, renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine and wood-fired pizzas, offered a warm and inviting atmosphere, but the culinary experience went far beyond pasta and pizza. PokerStars LIVE Manila had thoughtfully prepared dishes to satisfy every palate, from classic comfort foods to delicacies representing various nationalities. Players could enjoy flavors that reminded them of home, alongside international favorites, making the party feel both familiar and cosmopolitan.

PokerStars LIVE Manila Announces 2026 Schedule

After a highly successful 2025, PokerStars LIVE Manila unveiled its full schedule for 2026, promising another year packed with major tournaments and exciting poker action. The series will feature ten major stops at Okada Manila, giving both local and international players plenty of opportunities to compete.

The 2026 season opens with Manila Super Series 23 , running from January 23 to February 1 and setting up an exciting year ahead. Among the highlights of the season are APPT Manila 2026 , scheduled for July 28 to August 10 at the stunning Cove Manila, and the APPT Championship 2026 , taking place from October 8 to 19. These two stops stand as the tour’s flagship events, showcasing the biggest fields, premier venues, and the most prestigious titles on the APPT calendar.

Outside the Philippines, APPT will also make a return to Cambodia at NagaWorld, while in a surprising and highly anticipated move, the series will return to Korea for the first time in six years. The last APPT Korea took place in 2018, and its comeback in 2026 is already generating excitement among players and fans alike. Exact dates and venue details for the Korean stop will be announced in the coming months.

Returning Players And PokerStars LIVE Manila Earn Top Honors

Many players came back to Manila Megastack 23, some bringing friends and family along. Others were visiting the Philippines for the first time, combining a holiday with their first live poker experience. Even first-time participants quickly fell in love with the festival, impressed by the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff. The atmosphere was lively and full of energy, with players laughing, sharing stories, and celebrating wins together. The festival was about more than just cards and chips. It was about friendship, family, camaraderie, and a shared love of poker that keeps everyone coming back year after year.

Earlier this year, PokerStars LIVE at Okada Manila was named Best Poker Room in an Integrated Resort by Inside Asian Gaming for the second consecutive year. The award reflects its world-class facilities, exceptional service, and engaging tournaments, putting it ahead of major competitors such as MGM Cotai, Newport World Resorts, and The Venetian Macao.

If you want to see the full results and check the ranking of the highest earners from Manila Megastack 23, the complete leaderboard is now available on the Somuchpoker website.