Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2026.01.05

John Carlo Sayo is a Filipino professional poker player and a prominent figure in the Asian poker landscape, currently ranked among the top 55 players on the Philippines All Time Money List. Known for his relentless volume and high frequency of cashes, Sayo has transitioned from a local mainstay to a respected regular in international festivals across Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, John Carlo Sayo has accumulated total live earnings of $247,219. His career is defined by consistency rather than a single outlier score, having crossed the $100,000 milestone in career winnings through a long history of deep runs in major regional tours. His best live cash stands at $28,659.

Sayo has been particularly active on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) and the Asian Poker Tour (APT) . In 2025, he secured a 6th place finish in the APPT Manila PHP 15,000 No Limit Hold’em – Super Deep for PHP 111,000 (∼$2,070) and followed it up with a 41st place finish in the Red Dragon event for PHP 110,000 (∼$1,912). His international success includes a 6th place finish at the 2024 APT Taipei for NTD 282,000 (∼$8,864) and a 3rd place finish during an event in Vietnam in early 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from the Philippines, where he also resides, Sayo is deeply integrated into the Filipino poker community. He is a frequent competitor at Manila’s most prestigious poker rooms, including the Metro Card Club and Prime Poker Club Manila.

His career trajectory showcases a player who has mastered the regional circuit, moving fluidly between major stops in Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and his home turf. With over 115 recorded tournament results, Sayo’s longevity and ability to maintain a high Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking, peaking within the top 8,000 worldwide, solidifies his status as one of the most hardworking professionals in the region.

Play Style & Strategy

Sayo is widely regarded as a high-volume grinder whose strategy is built on adaptability and exploitation of field dynamics. He excels in “Super Deep” and “Mystery Bounty” formats, where his ability to navigate late-stage tournament pressure often leads to final table appearances.

His play style is characterized by technical proficiency in No Limit Hold’em, particularly in the large-field tournaments typical of the APPT and Manila Megastack series. Whether he is applying pressure in opening events or navigating the technical fields of the WPT Cambodia, Sayo’s resilience makes him a formidable opponent. His consistent results across diverse environments demonstrate a strong grasp of tournament fundamentals and a patient approach to stack accumulation.

Recent Attendances