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: 2025.12.19

Noel Araniel, affectionately known as “The Kid,” is a prominent Filipino professional poker player celebrated for his historic victory in the first-ever Asian Poker Championship. He is considered a “multi-decorated” fixture of the Philippine poker scene, with a career spanning over a decade of high-level tournament success.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Noel Araniel has total live earnings of $149,834. His career-best live cash of PHP 1,525,877 (~$29,950) came in February 2020 at the Asian Poker Championship (APC), where he emerged as the inaugural Main Event champion.

Araniel has maintained a prolific presence in the Asian circuit throughout 2025. In December 2025, he secured an 82nd-place finish in the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event for PHP 86,000 (~$1,461). His extensive list of major results includes:

1st Place: Asian Poker Championship High Roller (2020) for PHP 670,000 (~$13,179).
3rd Place: Manila Super Series 14 Main Event (2022) for PHP 719,000 (~$13,994).
1st Place: APPT Manila Megastack Saturday Deepstack (2016) for PHP 342,300 (~$7,241).
1st Place: APT Manila Championships Open Face Chinese Pineapple (2017) for $3,480.

These consistent performances have placed him at 81st on the Philippines All Time Money List.

Biography & Poker Background

Originally from the Philippines, Araniel established his reputation as a formidable “Metro Card Club” regular in Pasig City. His milestone 2020 APC victory was particularly notable; entering the final day ranked 10th in chips, he navigated a technical field and a four-way ICM deal to claim the title and trophy. He is a frequent deep-runner in flagship series such as the Asian Poker Tour (APT), Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), and World Poker Tour (WPT), including a 25th-place finish in the WPT National Philippines. Beyond his playing career, he is often mentioned alongside other top Filipino pros like Mike Takayama and Lester Edoc.

Play Style & Strategy

Araniel is recognized for an adaptable and resilient play style that allows him to thrive in varied structures, from specialized Open Face Chinese (OFC) formats to high-pressure Main Events. His championship run in the APC demonstrated his ability to successfully navigate short-stack situations and leverage opportunistic aggression during final table play. Known for his technical proficiency and composure, he effectively balances math-based decision-making with the exploitative adjustments needed to outlast the massive, diverse fields typical of the Southeast Asian circuit.

Recent Attendances