Dealt a Helping Hand: Benjo Marquez

We started a little late, 2:59pm, but it was because we had a new group of players that we had to orientate about the tournament rules we used at the Airport Casino Filipino. Once we got underway, it only took one hand to get our first rebuy and another hand for our second.

What sort of foreshadowing, you might think, but once the dust settled after level 6, we had seated 101 players in eight tables (we just kept putting players in seats where other players busted out from, hey, its for charity anyways) with 40+ rebuys and 15 add-ons. All said and told, we raised around Php 220,000 for Mr. Benjo Marquez, who had a guest appearance through a recorded a light-hearted AVP which tugged at the hearts of all the players (I did see some misty eyed people in the crowd) and boosted the spirits of all.

In the end, eight and a half hours into the tournament, Alan Escano emerged victorious over regular ACF player Kim Il Kwon in the heads-up portion of the tournament. Mr. Escano walked away with Php53k worth of gift certificates including one GC for a fully-customized poker table from Kustom Kowboys. Mr. Kim walked away with Php40k worth of GC's including a Techno Marine Watch. Other notables in the final table is Neil "Dirty Ice Cream" Arce who finished 5th and has had two "Deal a Helping Hand" final table appearances this time bagging Php15k worth of GC's including the much sought-after gift certificate for an overnight stay at Seawind, Boracay.

Special thanks to the organizers of the event, Rose, Sookie, Celine and Kai who were relentless in their solicitation of sponsorships before the tournament and who gave all the players, tournament staff and including some spectators goodies to enjoy during and after the event, most notably the tons (literally) of free food from NY Fries and Dip.

Again another top-notch job by the Airport Casino Filipino staff from SBM Bobby Reyes, Ernie Reyes, Richard Gabriel, Cocoy (don't call me Maggie) Dela Riva and the rest of the Marketing staff and of course Emi Mungcal and the rest of the tournament staff.

Next up for Deal a Helping Hand is the YES! Foundation on September 17. More info in the weeks to come.