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: 2025.12.20

Jonald Garcia is a Filipino professional poker player and WPT champion who has solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent and successful figures on the Asian poker circuit.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Jonald Garcia has accumulated total live earnings of $450,384. Currently ranked 25th on the Philippines All Time Money List, he has become a dominant force in regional festivals, particularly within the World Poker Tour (WPT) and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) .

His career-best score came in January 2024 at WPT Cambodia, where he championed the WPT Championship Warm Up to secure a $55,989 top prize and the coveted WPT trophy. Throughout 2025, Garcia has maintained his momentum with several high-profile finishes in Manila:

Philippine Poker Millions (August 2025): He secured a 3rd-place finish in the PHP 64,000 + 6,000 No Limit Hold’em – High Roller for PHP 931,253 (∼$16,560) and 5th in the Single Day High Roller for PHP 403,000 (∼$7,118).
APPT Championship Warm Up (September 2025): He finished 2nd in the PHP 9,500 Double Stack for PHP 165,000 (∼$2,872).
Manila Megastack 23 (December 2025): Most recently, he cashed in the PHP 40,500 + 4,500 Main Event, placing 96th for PHP 77,000 (∼$1,308).

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from the Philippines, Garcia has transitioned from a local regular to an international threat with deep runs across Taiwan, Cambodia, and South Korea. He is frequently associated with the Asian Poker Tour (APT), where he first began collecting trophies as early as 2016. His trajectory reflects a disciplined climb through the stakes, eventually reaching a career-high Global Poker Index ranking of 2,655th as he continues to dominate high-stakes fields in Southeast Asian hubs like Pasig City and Manila.

Play Style & Strategy

Garcia is known for a calculated and resilient play style, excelling in large-field No Limit Hold’em tournaments and mystery bounty formats. His ability to navigate deep final tables, as demonstrated by his clinical performance at WPT Cambodia, highlights strong ICM awareness and tactical patience. Whether utilizing a big stack to pressure opponents or switching gears in high-speed turbo events like the Manila Super Series, Garcia’s strategy remains highly adaptable to the technical demands of modern competitive poker.

Recent Attendances