Veteran PR man bags Pokerstars Gold Pass

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The Philippine Star

January 11, 2026 | 12:00am

First for Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran public relations practitioner Rommel Orbigo, who is also an amateur poker player, recently won a Gold Pass in a satellite tournament at Pokerstars, the world’s largest poker site.

After besting a field of more than 640 players from all over the world, Orbigo won the $10,300 Pokerstars Gold Pass — which entitles him to join the European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event in Paris starting on Feb. 23 with a buy-in of €5,300.

“To our memories, you (Rommel) are the first and we can’t recall any other Filipino playing an EPT after using a Gold Pass,” the Pokerstars Live Team said via email.

Orbigo has won several small No-Limit and Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments in the Metro Poker Club and Pokerstars Live Manila at its former venue at the City of Dreams Manila.

A BS Chemistry and Masters in Business Administration graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University and a PR and marketing consultant mainly for property development firms, Orbigo’s next steps include hiring a poker coach and a mental coach, among others, to prepare him for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

All of these activities, however, entail costs, for which his team are looking to get sponsors and partners. For instance, the Pokerstars package does not include airfare to and from Europe, so Orbigo’s team is busy preparing for the financial challenges and opportunities over the next few weeks.

“Taken altogether, I believe that this is the best way to stay long in the grueling seven-day EPT Main Event and continue waving the Philippine flag in Paris. I hope to make my fellow local poker enthusiasts proud, when I do finally get to join the EPT in Paris,” Orbigo said.

In 2024, the winner of the EPT Paris Main Event banked in more than €1.2 million.

“I need all the support and good luck I can get, and I hope to make that lucky raffle entry at Pokerstars continue to work wonders,” Orbigo said.