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

Michael Calunsod is a Filipino professional poker player and dedicated triathlete who has become a consistent presence in the Southeast Asian tournament circuit, particularly within the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) and Manila’s competitive local scene.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Michael Calunsod has total earnings of $72,132. Currently ranked 158th on the Philippines All Time Money List, he has demonstrated a high volume of cashes, particularly throughout his active 2024 and 2025 campaigns. His career-best live cash of $9,697 highlights his ability to navigate deep into fields at major regional festivals.

Calunsod has been exceptionally productive in 2025, securing multiple deep runs at the APPT Manila and Manila Megastack series. In July 2025, he finished 46th in the PHP 80,000 APPT Manila Main Event for PHP 244,000 (∼$4,244). Later that year, in October, he secured a runner-up finish in the PHP 10,000 NLH Super Deep event for PHP 204,500 (∼$3,524). Other notable 2025 results include a victory in the Manila Megastack 21 Super Stack Turbo for PHP 129,824 (∼$2,230) and a 13th-place finish in the APT Manila Classic Micro Main Event for PHP 28,000.

Biography & Poker Background

A native of the Philippines who also maintains a residence in Las Vegas, Nevada, Calunsod brings a unique “triathlete” discipline to the poker table. He first gained significant attention in the local community during the 2022 Batang Metro event at the Metro Card Club, where he bagged the overall chip lead heading into the final day, outlasting hundreds of entries to face off against elite local pros like Mike Takayama and Lester Edoc.

His background in endurance sports appears to translate into a high-work-rate approach to poker, as evidenced by his frequent tournament appearances across diverse tours including the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and various PokerStars Live events. His dual ties to the Philippines and the United States allow him to maintain a global presence, though his primary success remains centered in the booming Manila poker market.

Play Style & Strategy

Calunsod is recognized for a resilient and high-pressure tournament strategy, often described by his ability to seize and maintain chip leads in large-field events. During his breakout run at the Metro Card Club, he was noted for his aggressive stack accumulation, particularly his ability to apply pressure in late-stage situations to surge past established professionals.

His strategy appears to be a blend of traditional exploitative play and modern tournament awareness, excelling in mid-stakes No Limit Hold’em formats. Whether navigating the fast-paced “Turbo” structures where he has claimed titles or the long-grind Main Events, Calunsod’s ability to stay patient, often arriving late to the felt and still finding ways to dominate, marks him as a formidable regular in the modern Asian circuit.

Recent Attendances