a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

well, not really a galaxy, and not THAT long of a time ago...

The Manila Poker scene was born. Right in front of our eyes we watched it, from conception to its birth, to the way it grew so fast. It was taking its first steps, one by one, a bit unsure but still knowing where it was headed. The baby steps turned into bigger, bolder steps, and slowly it seemed that very very soon, it could be left on its own and could rely on its own momentum to take it where it has never gone before. From home games, to SNG's, to ring games, to small MTT's, to BIG MTT's, to poker rooms, to casino poker tournaments, all in the blink of an eye!

then it tripped. an obstacle lay on its path.

now, do we make these obstacles stepping stones to our destination, or stumbling blocks?

Guys, what happened these past few days was an inevitability. It comes with the territory. Hey, it happens to this day in new york and other states where there are poker clubs. They even stopped one of Phil Hellmuth's charity poker tourneys, if i read it right on the web. As long as there's poker, there will be poker clubs and poker rooms.

It is just like falling off a bike on your first few tries. Yeah it'll hurt, but if you become to scared to ride the bike again, you'll never learn to ride it and with that you'll never see the places you could have gone to riding that bike.

Something like this CANNOT stop the momentum of what the poker community has started. I believe it'll be even bigger and better because of this. just the last tournament, The Tagaytay Casino PAGCOR game (a milestone in that very fact that PAGCOR sanctioned it) had a WSOP bracelet wearing player (Isaac Galazan "the general", winner of the $2500 WSOP NLHE short handed event, $315,000++ prize money) play in the tournament! And no he did not dominate but was bested by several local players too! more pros will come for sure. the tournaments are getting bigger and better, the games are spreading like wildfire, and people from all walks of life are learning how to play the game we all love.

Don't be discouraged people, we have a lot in store for us in the future. It will only get better, for sure. Get those bankrolls ready, the good times are right around the corner!