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: 2025.12.30

Joseph Talamayan is a Filipino professional poker player who has become a well-known regular in the Southeast Asian tournament scene, widely recognized for his high frequency of cashes in major Manila-based festivals.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Joseph Talamayan has total earnings of $106,629. He currently sits 119th on the Philippines All Time Money List, a ranking he has solidified through a highly productive 2024 and 2025 campaign that saw him surpass the $100,000 earnings milestone. His career-best live cash of PHP 605,000 (∼$10,523) was achieved in July 2025 during a deep run in the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila Main Event.

Talamayan has been exceptionally active in 2025, recording numerous cashes across the Philippines’ most prestigious tours. In October 2025, he finished 7th in the PHP 20,000 Knockout event at the APPT Manila Championship for PHP 41,000. Earlier in July, he secured two significant results at APPT Manila, placing 16th in the PHP 80,000 Main Event and 72nd in the PHP 35,000 National event for PHP 55,000. His resume also includes consistent performances at the Manila Megastack series, where he recently finished 5th in a Survivor Knockout for PHP 84,000 in January 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

A native and resident of the Philippines, Talamayan has spent years building his reputation within the booming local poker markets of Pasig City and Manila. He first gained significant regional attention in 2022 at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Vietnam Phu Quoc, where he famously bagged the overall chip lead after the opening day of the Main Event.

His professional trajectory is defined by a transition from a local standout to an international regular, frequently competing in major hubs such as Jeju, Incheon, and Da Nang. Talamayan is a familiar face at premier venues like Okada Manila and the Metro Card Club, where his high-volume approach has helped him achieve a peak Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking within the top 11,500 players worldwide.

Play Style & Strategy

Talamayan is recognized for a resilient and opportunistic tournament strategy, often described by his ability to navigate through massive, aggressive fields in the Philippines. His success in high-pressure formats like the “Survivor Knockout” and “Turbo” events suggest a strong technical foundation and a keen understanding of late-stage tournament dynamics.

His background as a consistent cash-game and tournament hybrid player gives him an edge in adjusting his aggression levels based on the field size and tour structure. Whether he is maintaining a chip lead in a multi-day Main Event or fighting through the fast-paced blind levels of a regional knockout event, Talamayan’s approach relies on tactical awareness and a disciplined pursuit of final tables, making him one of the most reliable grinders on the modern Asian circuit.

Recent Attendances