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: 2025.12.22

Martin Astorga is a Filipino professional poker player who has become a rising force in the Asian tournament circuit, particularly known for his frequent deep runs and titles in high-volume events at Okada Manila. He is currently ranked among the top 100 players on the Philippines Global Poker Index (GPI) leaderboard.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Martin Astorga has total earnings of $73,689. His career reached a peak in late 2025 during the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila Championship, where he secured two separate event titles within a single week. His biggest career score occurred during this festival in the PHP 165,000 APPT Championship, where he finished 52nd for PHP 289,000 (~$4,950).

Astorga’s 2025 campaign has been defined by his ability to close out tournaments. In October 2025, he won the APPT Manila PHP 10,000 15/10/5 event for PHP 179,020 (~$3,059) and the APPT Manila PHP 10,000 Knockout Hyper Turbo for PHP 172,212 (~$2,968). Other notable results from the 2025 season include a 5th place finish in the APPT Championship Warm Up Double Stack for PHP 64,000 (~$1,114) and a 35th place finish in the APPT National for PHP 78,000 (~$1,342). These consistent results have seen him climb over 100 spots on the Philippines All Time Money List.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from the Philippines and currently residing in the country, Astorga (full name Martin Yu Astorga) has transitioned from a local tournament regular to a consistent presence on the regional Asian tour. He is a prominent fixture at the Metro Card Club and Okada Manila, where he has recorded the vast majority of his professional results.

While his early cashes date back to 2022, his trajectory accelerated significantly in 2024 and 2025 as he expanded his reach to compete in the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the Zodiac Series of Poker in Taipei. His work rate is notable; in 2025 alone, he has recorded nearly 20 cashes across major festivals in the Philippines and Taiwan, reflecting his status as one of the most active “new generation” grinders in Manila.

Play Style & Strategy

Astorga is known for a highly aggressive and tactical play style that is particularly effective in fast-paced “Hyper Turbo” and “Knockout” formats. His two APPT titles in 2025 were both achieved in high-variance, short-clock environments, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of shove-fold dynamics and short-stack pressure.

His strategy relies on a high volume of participation and an ability to navigate large fields, as seen in his deep run in the APPT Championship, where he outlasted hundreds of players to secure a top-60 finish. Whether competing in a local Philippine Poker Millions event or a prestigious APPT final table, Astorga’s game is characterized by technical precision and a fearlessness that allows him to capitalize on aggressive spots late in tournaments.

Recent Attendances