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: 2026.02.04

Joshua Figuerres is a Filipino professional poker player who has rapidly ascended the ranks of the Southeast Asian circuit, particularly noted for his dominant performances in major festivals across the Philippines and Taiwan.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Joshua Figuerres has accumulated $248,379 in live tournament winnings. He currently holds a prestigious position on the Philippines All Time Money List, ranked 51st in the country.

His career-best score of $43,679 was recorded as his highest single live cash. Figuerres made significant waves in 2025 at the inaugural Philippine Poker Millions (PPM) at the Metro Card Club, where he entered Day 3 as the commanding chip leader out of a record-breaking field of 1,354 entries, eyeing a top prize of PHP 7,200,000.

Other notable performances include a deep run in the APT Taipei 2024 Main Event, where he finished 26th for NTD 357,000 (~$11,311), and a 2nd-place finish in the APT Taipei 2025 Hyper Turbo for NTD 225,847 (~$7,000). He has also secured deep runs in the WPT Prime Cambodia Championship and the APPT Manila Championship, where he finished 41st for PHP 210,000 (~$3,680) in October 2025.

Biography & Poker Background

Based in the Philippines, Figuerres has built his reputation as a formidable regular at the Metro Card Club in Manila before transitioning to international series. He has become a staple on the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), frequently traveling to major hubs like Taipei and Phnom Penh to compete against the region’s elite. His rise is underscored by his high Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 13th in the Philippines as of late 2025.

Play Style & Strategy

Figuerres is recognized for a high-volume, aggressive approach that allows him to build massive stacks early in multi-day events. His ability to navigate massive fields, evidenced by his chip leadership in the Philippine Poker Millions, demonstrates a keen sense of pressure and a strong understanding of big-stack dynamics. He is equally effective in fast-paced formats, as shown by his runner-up finish in the APT Hyper Turbo, highlighting his versatility across different tournament structures and his proficiency in high-variance situations.

Recent Attendances