From the Ashes – Recap first quarter 2022
Publish date: December 30, 2022

Hey, Poker playas!

2022 is about to end and 2023 is so near. but before it ends we are about to do the recap and people to look forward to 2023. it was a long year and so many changes have happened.

Before we leave the past behind and move forward. Let us have a quick recap.

Our recaps will be on a per-quarter basis but we might change it later on. Read on as you can understand why.

Let us get it on!

the first quarter of 2022 – peeking at the sunrise.

Leaves

Leaves will soon grow from the bareness of treesAnd all will be alright in timeFrom waves overgrown come the calmest of seasAnd all will be alright in time

Ben & Ben

January 2022 was the first month we could start moving forward after the pandemic. It was a long 2 years that most people were locked in their homes scared to venture out. 

Finally, slowly, people could start taking back their lives and slowly live normally. 

It was a slow start, and we wanted to show the world that live poker is back and it was safe.

Slowly events were coming back.

January 2022- Okada Manila Millions

Jose Colada

The back to back champion

Back when media was still not allowed to cover events, with a desire of being able to spread the word live tournaments were back in Manila.

We covered the event creatively and spread the word that live poker tournaments were back.

The first tournament of the year was the Okada Manila Millions.

The first Okada Manila Millions was held just before the lockdown started and the second Okada Manila Millions was held when the lockdown was in January 2022.

Jose Colada was the champion of the last event, and in a twist of fate ended up becoming the champion of the second Okada Manila Millions. Earning Jose Colada the nickname the lockdown champion.

*note: back then lockdowns were just eased and fears of a new lockdown were in the air. During the event, there were fears of having another lockdown due to the increase in cases of infected people. Jose won the event, and more people believed another lockdown would be enforced but the government did not enforced any.

February 2022 – No event

You heard it right. February had no event. Although news of future events was already spreading there was no event for February 2022. It is actually amazing that it was this year how massive things changed.

Nowadays there is a poker event every week.

3 events were scheduled to be held in February 2022

March 2022 – APT RWM MYStery Bounty weekend

Jeorge ” Egoy” Lagatuz

MAin Event Champion

APT was handled by the old management back then. 

Definitely kudos to Lloyd Fontillas for making this event. It did show how good Lloyd really was.

APT has changed ownership and changes are now being implemented. but giving credit where credit is due. Lloyd was a great GM.

APT needs to make its presence felt. Although the APT RWM poker weekend would not make money. he push for it.

It was also the first-ever Mystery bounty event. a new thing that has now become a regular side event for many organizers.

It was basically adding something new while keeping the old stuff back in order for people to enjoy and sending a message that APT is ready to meet the future.

Even the selection of the models proved this having some of the regular models be there while introducing new ones. Giving a sense of Familiarity while adding something new.

Lloyd was promoting that hey, APT is back and all the things that made APT an experience are still here. but we are also introducing something new that you guys will enjoy.

Now that the management has changed although some of the people will remain. Based on our own recent experience. 

Not looking forward to it.

March 2022 – Metro 750k 

Monziar Jay Villariaza

MAin Event Champion

Two events in one month. that was still how bad the world was back then. 

But step by step it was moving forward. 

*note
we would also like to write about the players but for now, we are going by events. our next coverage will be the Sinulog Festival. Hopefully, we can finish them all. our focus, for now, is the events that happen in 2022.

back to the story. 

the Metro 750k was also the second tournament held by the Metro Card Club after the pandemic. but this was the first-ever full live tournament.

The first tournament was RVS CUP but it was held Semi-live as day 1 was held online.

Making Monziar Jay VIllariaza the first full live tournament champion of the Metro.

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