MANILA, Philippines—The Filipino Poker Tour: All-In for Red Cross Tournament, held last week at the Metro Card Club in Pasig City, raised P1 million for the Philippine National Red Cross Makati Chapter.

Spotted at the charity event were celebrities such as Richard Gomez, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Bobby Andrews, Paolo Paraiso, Priscilla Meirelles, Cacai Velasquez, Doug Kramer, Jinno Rufino, QT del Mar and John Estrada who made it to the final 10.

Inquirer lifestyle columnist, fashion icon and tour co-organizer Tessa Prieto-Valdes, who came close to making it to the final 10, said she and Filipino Poker Tour organizer Alan Escano were able to stage the event with the help of Assumption College Alumni Class of 1981.

“This is one spectator sport that we can truly organize for charity,” said Prieto-Valdes of the tournament that drew 120 entries and offered more than 70 prizes worth almost P1 million.

Among these prizes were grand vacation packages at El Nido Resorts and Club Noah in Palawan, Discovery Shores, Friday’s Resort, Boracay Tropics and Tides Resort in Boracay, Pearl Farm in Davao, Amorita Resort in Bohol, weekend packages at Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, and Crowne Plaza, spa treatments and gift certificates.

Unheralded University of the Philippines student Ronnel Sto. Tomas won against veteran opponents, including Ronald Singson. The 23-year-old Sto. Tomas won a P200,000 Ivan Acuna painting and the respect of top local poker players.