A Filipino amateur poker player has made history after winning a coveted PokerStars Gold Pass—marking what is believed to be the first time a Filipino has qualified for the European Poker Tour (EPT) via the Gold Pass route.
Rommel Orbigo, a veteran Public Relations practitioner, secured the prestigious prize on December 22 after topping a 4:00 a.m. satellite tournament on PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker platform. He outlasted more than 640 players from around the globe, earning a $10,300 PokerStars Gold Pass.
The Gold Pass grants Orbigo entry into the European Poker Tour Main Event in Paris, which begins on February 23, carrying a hefty €5,300 buy-in.
A Lucky Break That Turned Historic
Orbigo’s journey to the EPT began with a stroke of luck. He initially received a $55 Step 4 satellite ticket through a raffle entry from the PokerStars Snowball Challenge—a promotion designed to give everyday players a chance at major tournament access.
From that modest entry point, Orbigo navigated his way through the competitive field to claim the Gold Pass, which may also be used for the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event in May or other upcoming EPT stops later this year.
The Gold Pass package includes the main event buy-in and hotel accommodations, with optional access to select side events. However, airfare is not included, adding another layer of preparation ahead of the European campaign.
A First for the Philippines
PokerStars itself acknowledged the significance of Orbigo’s achievement.
“To our memories, you (Rommel) are the first and we can’t recall any other Filipino playing an EPT after using a Gold Pass,”
—PokerStars Live Team
While not stated with absolute certainty, the PokerStars Live Team noted that Orbigo’s feat is “very likely” a first for the Philippines, making it a milestone moment for the local poker community.
From PR Consultant to International Poker Stage
Orbigo is a BS Chemistry and MBA graduate from Ateneo de Manila University and currently works as a Public Relations and Marketing consultant, primarily serving property development firms.
In the local poker scene, he is no stranger to competition. Orbigo has previously won multiple small No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments at Metro Poker Club and PokerStars Live Manila during its earlier run at City of Dreams Manila.
Despite these wins, Orbigo sees the EPT as a chance to push far beyond his past achievements.
Preparing for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Run
A former Math contest champion in Bulacan during his grade school and high school years, Orbigo is approaching the EPT with discipline and strategy. He plans to work with a poker coach and a mental coach to prepare for the grueling seven-day EPT Main Event.
The stakes are undeniably high. The 2024 EPT Paris Main Event champion walked away with over €1.2 million, underscoring the scale of the opportunity ahead.
To meet the financial demands—including travel, training, and tournament-related expenses—Orbigo and his team are actively seeking sponsors and partners to support the campaign.
Carrying the Philippine Flag to Europe
For Orbigo, the goal goes beyond personal success.
“Taken altogether, I believe this is the best way to stay long in the grueling seven-day EPT Main Event and continue waving the Philippine flag in Paris,” he shared.
“I hope to make my fellow local poker enthusiasts proud when I finally get to join the EPT in Paris or Monte Carlo.”
As he prepares for his Schengen visa and the road ahead, Orbigo is hoping that the same luck that started with a raffle entry will continue to work in his favor—this time, on one of poker’s biggest international stages.
