That seems to be the sentiment as players start to say their goodbyes and head home from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa - everyone just assumes you'll be back in 2010. After two years in Manila, the move of the PokerStars.net APPT to the southern city of Cebu and the idyllic Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa has been wildly successful.

From the resort's location on a pristine white beach overlooking the crystal blue sea of Magellan Bay to the impeccable service, myriad dining options and vast array of leisure activities, everyone's going to go home with a story to tell from APPT Cebu.

We've chatted with players who've tried diving and parasailing for the first time, spent hours recharging their batteries in the luxurious CHI Spa, missed holes-in-one by the skin of the teeth or partied till dawn with the cool crowd in downtown Cebu.

And there's one guy with a story to tell from his sojourn to this part of the world - the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Cebu champion Dong-bin Han. He becomes just the second Asian-based player to win an APPT title after Yoshihiro Tasaka who took out the 2008 APPT Seoul title.

In last year's APPT Manila Main Event, three Korean players reached the final table, including PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Tae Jun Noh. This year, two Koreans reached the ultimate poker stage in the Philippines' biggest event.

Making his first major tournament appearance, Han has been playing poker for several years and makes a significant contribution to the growth of Korean poker. His win underlines the stature of Korean players in the region following Mike Kim's runner-up finish in Macau back in September.

The 37-year-old outlasted a field of the region's top players, including PokerStars.net Team Asia and Australia Pros like Bryan Huang, Daniel Schreiber, Jonathan Lin, Tae Jun Noh, Celina Lin, Eric Assadourian and Tony Hachem to claim the first prize of PHP 7,410,000, or almost USD $160,000.

The hopes that the trophy would stay on hone soil were boosted by a Filipino contingent of quantity and quality. For the third year in a row, a local player reached the final table but Mark Pagsuyuin would bow out sixth - maybe next year.

For at least 12 months, Dong-bin Han will be acknowledged as the winner of the biggest and richest poker tournament ever played in the Philippines. APPT Cebu drew a field of 319 players, who built a prizepool of PHP 29,086,420 (approximately USD $622,036).

But with scores of players heading back to their homes around the world and spreading the word about this event, we'd be amazed if those figures weren't topped in 2010.

From the Philippines, it's back to our homeland of Australia for the final event of season three - the PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final at Star City in Sydney. The AUD $6300 buy-in Main Event starts runs December 1-6, with a great line-up of preliminary events starting on November 24. Grant Levy in 2007, Martin Rowe in 2008 ... will the stranglehold of the Aussies be broken in 2009?

We'd like to acknowledge the support of PAGCOR, the Filipino Poker Tour and the Metro Card Club guys for their assistance in making APPT Cebu such a huge success, and everyone at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa for spoiling us over the past week. On behalf of my PokerStars blog partner Landon Blackhall, and the APPT and local PokerStars teams, it's paalam (or farewell) from Cebu in the Philippines.

Live updates from the final table, level 26 (blinds 30,000-60,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

9.20pm: David Hilton eliminated in 2nd place; Dong-Bin Han is the APPT Cebu champion

Take two ... it was almost over in one hand just after the stroke of 9pm, but Korea's Dong-bin Han had to chop one pot up before sealing the deal as the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event champion. He takes home PHP 7,410,000 (just under USD $160,000) as champion, while runner-up David Hilton, a PokerStars Qualifier from the USA pockets PHP 5,090,000 (approximately USD $110,000).

Han raised to 180,000 before the flop before American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton pushed all in for around 700,000. Han snap-called, turning over [as] [ks] and was a massive favourite against the [ac] [5c] of Hilton.

The flop of [2d] [8d] [2h] didn't help Hilton but the [3d] on the turn gave him slim hope of staying alive for a split pot which arrived on the river with the [3h]. Han started celebrating but then realised his mistake and quickly sat back down.

He would then wake up with [qs] [qs] in the big blind moments later after Hilton open-shoved with [qc] [js]. The cards were tabled and the dealer spread a flop of [10d] [4s] [9c] - another sweat for the Korean!

Hilton's supporters called for the king or eight, Han's cheering section called for low cards. The [10h] was not so low but still kept Han ahead. The dealer burned then turned up the river [9h]. There was no doubt this time - Han's two pair was good to take down the title.

9pm: Han sniffs victory

Korea's Dong-bin Han continues the relentless pressure on American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton and has taken the biggest chip lead in this heads-up battle. Hilton raised from the button to 100,000 and Han called, both checking the flop of [10s] [js] [ah]. Han checked to Hilton when the dealer produced the [3h]; Hilton opened for 135,000, Han made it another 200,000 and Hilton called.

The river brought the [qs]; Han checked to Hilton who fired out 400,000. Han called and Hilton turned up [qh] [2h] for second pair and a flush draw, however he was none too pleased to see Han roll up [3s] [3c] for the set. As a result, Han crippled Hilton down to just 885,000 and has soared up to more than 5.4 million in chips.

8.40pm: Timely double-up for Hilton

Play has tightened up considerably in this heads-up battle but in each hand we've seen for the last 20 minutes, it's been Korea's Dong-bin Han taking down pot after pot. As a result of his relentless aggression Han had more than a two-to-one chip lead over PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton, but the American has managed to get back to even terms.

Hilton limped in from the button only to see Han raise it to 400,000. Hilton then pushed the rest of his stack into the middle for a total bet of 723,000. Han looked him up and down, leaned over the table and tried to get Hilton talking. He eventually gave up the interrogation and called, tabling [kh] [9c], well behind the [ah] [ks] of Hilton.

The board ran out [5h] [js] [jh] [6s] [8d] to get Hilton back up to around 2.4 million while Han is still ahead with 3.8 million in his stack.

Live updates from the final table, level 25 (blinds 25,000-50,000, ante 5000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

8.30pm: A final table to remember

Earlier today, the PokerStars.tv crew caught up with the nine players who contested the first APPT Cebu final table:

Watch APPT Cebu 09: Final Table Introduction on PokerStars.tv

8.15pm: ... and a hand for the dealers

APPT Tournament Director Danny McDonagh has just enlisted one of the dealers to commentate the final table in Cebuano, the local dialect in this region. The dealers have now taken up their own section in the feature table gallery, watching on and enjoying a well-earned rest after their hard work her in The Marquee. With most of them working around the clock dealing all the tournaments and cash games, they have earned the praise of all who have played here this week.

8pm: Korean on the comeback

Dong-bin Han has managed to take a couple of pots off David Hilton to square it up as the heads-up battle continues under the big top here at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. It's now almost even in chip counts once again as Hilton now has 3.2 million in chips to Han's 3.0 million.

In the first hand Han raised to 100,000 from the button; Hilton called then check-called Han's bed of 90,000 on a flop of [6s] [2h] [qc]. Hilton then check-called the bet of 270,000 from Han when the dealer produced the [8d] on the turn. Both players checked the river [kc]; Hilton rolled up Q-9 but the hand was quickly mucked after Han showed [ah] [qd] for the better kicker.

Another hand passed and the button was back on Han; the Korean limped in and the American PokerStars Qualifier checked to see a flop of [jh] [2d] [9d]. Both players checked; Hilton then led out for 75,000 on the turn of the [4d]. Han raised to 175,000, Hilton fired out 425,000 but then Han raised again to 725,000. Hilton thought for a moment then released his hand into the muck.

7.45pm: Hilton lands first blow

It only took a few hands but we had a massive pot ensue heads-up between David Hilton and Dong-bin Han. The American PokerStars Qualifier raised from the button to 80,000, Han called and they saw a flop of [kd] [3c] [qs]. Han check-called Hilton's bet of 80,000 and then fired out 225,000 on the turn of the [ks].

Hilton raised to 575,000 and Han called, going to the river of the [ah]. Han fired out 350,000, Hilton made it an additional 675,000 to go and Han called; Hilton rolled up [3s] [3h] for the full house and Han slapped his [kh] [2h] on the table in frustration. Hilton now has the outright chip lead with 4.4 million to Han's 1.8 million.

Live updates from the final table, level 24 (blinds 20,000-40,000, ante 4000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

7.30pm: Sim Somyung eliminated in 3rd place

Having started the day with the chip lead, Korea's Sim Somyung had been at the wrong end of several pots when the tournament reached short-handed and, as a result, has come up short in third place in the APPT Cebu Main Event.

Fellow Korean Dong-bin Han raised from the button pre-flop to 110,000 and Somyung raised all in for his last 385,000. David Hilton got out of the way in the small blind and Han called, tabling [8s] [8c] and had the head start in the race against Somyung's [kd] [jd].

Somyung found a little more help when the flop was spread [7s] [10c] [as] but the repeat [ah] on the turn reduced his chances. Needing to see any paint card, the river was a barren [3s]. After finishing ninth in the 2008 APPT Macau Main Event, Sim takes home PHP 2,900,000 (approximately USD 62,350) for third here in Cebu.

7.20pm: Sim runnin' thin

A big pot has just played out between American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton and Korea's Don-bing Han. Sim Somyung of Korea raised it up from the button to 100,000, but Hilton quickly re-raised to 300,000. Han called from the small blind and Somyung got out of the way to watch the other two go heads up to a flop of [js] [10s] [10c].

Hilton checked to Han who led out for 220,000. Hilton called and both checked the turn of the [ah]. Hilton then opened for 450,000 on the river [2d] and after several minutes in the tank Han mucked. Hilton turned up Q-J offsuit for nothing but air and raked in the pot.

The action certainly hasn't slowed down at any rate, with everyone still playing fast and loose. However Somyung has been unable to find a hand, now the short stack on the table and looking worse for wear.

7pm: Can the Koreans break through?

The Korean players have certainly developed an affinity with this event. Last year in Manila, three of the last four players hailed from Korea (and they filled positions second to fourth after a ferocious battle with Aussie Van Marcus).

This year, it's Sim Somyung and Dong-bin Han battling an American, David Hilton - the last PokerStars Qualifier in the field. Will the Koreans break their duck and take the first APPT title back to Seoul, or will they again be denied at the death ...

6.45pm: Kevin Clark eliminated in 4th place

Having started as the short stack on the final table, New Zealand PokerStars Qualifier Kevin Clark has fought bravely all day to take fourth place in the APPT Cebu Main Event for PHP 2,036,420 (almost USD $44,000).

Clark's elimination came at the hands of American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton after moving all-in from the button for around 450,000 with [ah] [9h], only to be called by Hilton with [9s] [9c].

The flop of [qh] [5h] [9d] put Hilton even further ahead but it gave the Kiwi a big chance to get back into the game with a flush draw. He saw red on the turn but in the form of the [4d], leaving it all down to the river, which bricked out [3s].

Live updates from the final table, level 23 (blinds 15,000-30,000, ante 3000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

6.30pm: Short stack no more

New Zealand PokerStars Qualifier Kevin Clark has managed to survive with several double throughs and almost got himself within striking distance of the chip leaders but had to settle with a chop instead. The money was all-in the middle just after Terry Fan's elimination before the flop.

Clark rolled up [ad] [10c] and was ahead of the Korean's [ks] [10s]. The flop of [5d] [5c] [5h] didn't improve either hand and nor did the turn of the [4c], leaving Han with just one of three kings to eliminate the Kiwi. However the [10d] spiked on the river, giving both players an equal share of the pot, each with a full house.

6.15pm: Terry Fan eliminated in 5th place

There are now four players remaining in the APPT Cebu Main Event after Taipei PokerStars Player Terry Fan was eliminated by Korea's Dong-bin Han. Han's compatriot Sim Somyung raised preflop to 75,000 from under the gun, only to see Fan push all in from the button for around 590,000. Han snap-called from the small blind and Somyung couldn't get rid of his hand fast enough.

Fan rolled up [8d] [8c] but was in bad shape against the [qh] [qd] of Han. The board ran out [as] [ah] [3d] [2d] [3h]; ever the showman, Han danced to the delight of his supporters in what we can only call the "Dong-bin Boogie" as Fan left to collect his PHP 1,450,000 or more than USD $31,000 in prizemoney.

6pm: Hilton by the river

American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton is showing he's no pushover as he managed to take a sizeable pot off Korea's Dong-bin Han. The action folded around to Hilton who raised to 75,000 before the flop and Han called, going heads-up to a flop of [7s] [5c] [3d]. Hilton led out for 75,000 and Han called, going to the turn which brought the [jd]. Hilton fired out 76,000, Han made it 177,000 to go and Hilton flat-called and then led out for 129,000 on the river [kd]. Han called and turned up [as] [ks] but Hilton revealed pocket aces!

5.45pm: Korean climbs back

With the eliminations of Nick Pronk and Mark Pagsuyuin, Korea's Dong-bin Han has now overtaken USA PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton for the chip lead with 1.67 million. Hilton is not too far behind with 1.59 million; despite his tight approach to this final table he's been able to pick up several pots pre-flop and earn the respect from his tablemates.

Korea's Sim Somyung is in third place with 1.4 million, while New Zealand PokerStars Qualifier Kevin Clark has secured fourth place with 790,000, having doubled up through Han again, while Taipei PokerStars Player Terry Fan is level with Clark on 790,000.

5.30pm: Mark Pagsuyuin eliminated in 6th place

The crowd behind the last Filipino in the APPT Cebu Main Event, Mark Pagsuyuin, weren't as vocal as they were earlier this afternoon and they've now left The Marquee to join the Pacquiao celebrations after he was eliminated in sixth place.

Pagsuyuin's demise was at the hands at both the Koreans; Sim Somyung took the majority of his stack after his [8h] [8d] were good on a board of [3d] [10c] [2c] [2h] [3s] against the [qc] [jc] tabled at showdown by Pagsuyuin.

It was then Dong-bin Han that would move in for the kill. After Pagsuyuin called Han's raise of 65,000, they both checked a flop and turn of [6d] [ks] [3s] [2d] before Pagsuyuin moved all in for the last of his short stack on the river [ah]. Han called with his [as] [10h]; Pagsuyuin, groaned, rolled his eyes and slammed his [ad] [9c].

Live updates from the final table, level 22 (blinds 12,000-24,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

5.15pm: ANZPT season two coming up

With the first season of the PokerStars.net Australia New Zealand Poker Tour (ANZPT) barely consigned to history, season two is rapidly taking shape. Full details are yet to be released, but the 2010 schedule will be more extensive than this year's highly popular and successful debut.

Season two is expected to run from February to September with up to eight stops planned. Combined with the PokerStars.net APPT, it's expected that there'll be an average of one event per month!

Next year's ANZPT will again start in the summer heat of Adelaide, South Australia with SKYCITY Casino set to host the opening event from February 9-14. The main event will be a buy-in of AUD $3000. Keep an eye on www.anzpt.com for further details.

5pm: Nick Pronk eliminated in 7th place

Dutch PokerStars Qualifier Nick Pronk put Korea's Dong-bin Han to the test but came up short to be sent to the rail in seventh place. The action folded around to Han in the small blind who raised to 45,000 only to see Pronk re-raise to 135,000 in the big blind. Han called and they went to a flop of [6s] [8d] [9s].

Han checked to Pronk who opened for 270,000, sending him to the tank for almost three minutes before he announced he was all-in. Pronk flashed a smile but was looking uneasy, eventually making the call for his last 180,000 and tabling [6d] [5d] for bottom pair and an inside straight draw.

The Dutchman was amazed to see he was ahead of Han who rolled up [ac] [jh]; he kept the lead when the dealer produced the [4c] on the turn, but the crowd groaned when the [ah] fell on the river.

4.45pm: Sums don't add up for Sim

American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton continues to apply the pressure after taking another pot off Sim Somyung of Korea. Somyung raised to 55,000 before the flop and Hilton called from the small blind to go heads-up to a flop of [qc] [3c] [2h]. Hilton checked, Somyung fired out 65,000 and Hilton quickly called. Both players checked the [5s] on the turn, but the Korean would lay his hand down after Hilton's bet of 75,000 on the river [8s].

4.30pm: Now for Sydney

A quick note about the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final (the final event on season three of the APPT), which will again be played at the magnificent Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. On November 21, PokerStars will be hosting a 50,000 FPP VIP Satellite awarding nine APPT Sydney packages.

The APPT Grand Final in Sydney is a six-day poker festival, being held from December 1-6. The buy-in to the Main Event will be AUD $6300 (approximately USD $5,800) and it's anticipated that the field will comprise more than 500 players. Please see www.appt.com/tournaments/sydney for all the latest info.

Online satellites have started and will run in the weeks leading up to the event, giving you the chance to win an APPT prize package that includes tournament buy-in, hotel accommodation and money for expenses. To enter, go the PokerStars tournament lobby, click 'Events', then 'APPT'.

4.15pm: Dutch courage

Through all the carnage we haven't seen or heard much from Dutch PokerStars Qualifier Nick Pronk but he's come out swinging in a hand just before the break. The action folded around to Terry Fan who raised to 50,000, only to see Pronk move all-in for an additional 450,000. It came back around to Fan who thought for about a minute before laying his hand down to follow his tablemates out for the first break of the day.

Players are taking their first break of the day with US PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton holding a comfortable lead on 1.72 million ahead of Dong-bin Han (950,000), Sim Somyung (860,000), Mark Pagsuyuin (800,000), Terry Fan (800,000), Nick Pronk (715,000) and Kevin Clark, hanging tough with 370,000.

Live updates from the final table, level 21 (blinds 10,000-20,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

4pm: Han doin' it hard

It's all been going downhill for Korea's Dong-bin Han at this final table, currently sitting on 550,000 after Taipei Pokerstars Player Terry Fan secured another double up through him.

Han's countryman Sim Somyung raised in early position to 50,000, only to see Fan re-raise to 200,000 before Han three-bet all in. Somyung quickly got out of the way and Fan called all in for 368,000, tabling [ah] [ks] and in front of the Korean's [ad] [qc]. The board of [3d] [as] [3h] [8c] [ac] kept Fan ahead all the way to see him move up to around 770,000 in chips.

Han recovered some chips when he moved all-in on a flop of [10s] [2c] [4s] against Mark Pagusuyin, only to see him make the call but was relieved to see he was ahead with [ad] [ac] against the Filipino's [kh] [10c]. The turn and the river bricked [4h] [6h] to see Han double through.

3.45pm: Phillip Willcocks eliminated in 8th

The Filipino supporters have even more reason to cheer as PokerStars Cebu Satellite winner Mark Pagsuyuin just eliminated New Zealand PokerStars Qualifier Phillip Willcocks to move up to just over 700,000 in chips.

Willcocks moved his last 300,000 chips from early position over the line and the action folded around to Pagsuyuin who re-raised to 410,000 all-in. Everyone else got out of the way and it was off to the races between the[qs] [qd] of the Filipino against the Kiwi's [ah] [kd]. The board ran out [5s] [qh] [2c] [5h] [kh] to seal the deal for the local and send Willcocks to the rail. He leaves with PHP 700,000, or approximately USD $15,000.

3.30pm: Kevin claws back

The gloves are off for New Zealand's Kevin Clark, which has helped him to a pair of crucial double-ups early in the second level of the day through Koreans Sim Somyung and Han Dong-bin Han

The first push from Clark saw him move all-in from late position for 103,000, only to find Somyung call from the button as everyone else got out of the way. Clark's [kc] [qh] was favourite against the [10d] [9s] but he fell behind when the dealer produced the [10s] in the window, along with the [7h] [ac] for the flop. Needing any king, queen or jack to stay alive, the [2d] blanked on the turn but the paint splashed down on the river in the form of the [qc].

Several hands later Clark moved all in for 220,000 after an initial raise from Han to 28,000. Han called, tabling [ad] [7d] but need to outdraw the [as] [ks] of the New Zealander. The board ran out [3s] [qd] [ac] [2s] [jd]; Clark is now breathing a little easier with 410,000 in his stack.

Live updates from the final table, level 20 (blinds 8000-16,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

3pm: Alexander Tikholiz eliminated in 9th

Russian Federation PokerStars Qualifier Alexander Tikholiz managed to steal a few blinds and antes in the early stages but has finally succumbed to Korea's Dong-bin Han to be eliminated in ninth place. The action folded around to Tikholiz who open-shoved for 279,000; Phillip Willcocks folded on the small blind and Han made the call, tabling [ad] [10s] and ahead of Tikholiz's [as] [8h].

The Russian found no help when the board was spread [7d] [ks] [ah] but found a few more chances to chop with the [5s]. The dealer peeled off the [ac] on the river, giving both players trips but Han had him beat with the higher kicker, sending Tikholiz to the cashier to collect his PHP 525,000 (approximately USD $11,326.86).

2.45pm: Hilton takes points in first round

We've just watched another big flurry of bodyshots between the top two stacks of Korea's Sim Somyung and American PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton. Action folded around to Somyung who raised to 50,000 from the button. Hilton called from the small blind, Terry Fan got out of the way from the big blind and it was heads-up to a flop of [5h] [as] [6s].

Hilton checked to Somyung who opened for 75,000. Hilton called, then check-called Somyung's bet of 185,000 on the turn [jh] before both players checked the river [qc]. Hilton rolled up [ah] [10h] and his top pair was good enough to take down the pot.

2.30pm: Pronk goes plonk

The first major blow has been landed by Dutch PokerStars Qualifier Nick Pronk, who won a pre-flop raising war against Terry Fan to take down a nice pot. Short stack Kevin Clark is looking for a spot to commit his chips and also been active in the early going.

Many of the spectators who were in The Marquee to watch the boxing have now moved to the final table, and there's a nice rail following the action, especially the fortunes of local man Mark Pagsuyuin.

2.15pm: The prez says ...

The PokerStars.tv crew caught up with APPT president Jeffrey Haas and chatted about the success of this event and the growth of poker in Asia:

Watch APPT Cebu 09: Jeffrey Haas on PokerStars.tv

2pm: Pacman powers to victory, now for our Main Event!

The locals are beaming after Manny Pacquiao's 12th round TKO win over Miguel Cotto. Warning: the local Cebu girls who are dealing the cards here at The Marquee are big fight fans and were out of their seats cheering on the champ at every opportunity.

As the clock ticks up to 2pm local time, the final table participants have just taken a short trip down to the beach for some photos before returning to contest day four of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event. Cards should be in the air in the next 10 minutes. Blinds have been wound back one level to 8000/16,000 with a 2000 ante (level 20).

The citizens of the Philippines awoke this morning with a dilemma. Church or Pacquiao? Pacquiao or church? In this highly religious country, church is part of the weekly ritual. But this is different, this is the Philippines' favourite son - Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao.

Judging from the hundreds packed into The Marquee here at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Pacquiao has already scored a KO win in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people. Pacquiao's fight for Miguel Cotto's WBO Welterweight world championship has even impacted on the final table of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event.

Tournament officials have taken the decision to delay the start of the final table until the conclusion of the fight. That means we may be up to two hours away from the first hand. The fiercely patriotic Filipinos don't seem to be too concerned with the decision!

To tune up for all this toe-to-toe action in the boxing ring and at the final table, we decided to take in some claw-to-claw action in the heart of Cebu last night.

Before we have PETA knocking down the door, we acknowledge that cockfighting is brutal and cruel but it's a part of Filipino society. Indeed, legal cockfights, or sabongan, are conducted in the Philippines under the Cockfighting Law of 1974 (honestly). Restrictions include one cockpit per 100,000 citizens and no cockpits near schools.

But illegal cockpits, or tigbakay, are common, and seem to be tolerated as a part of everyday life, and are especially popular among the country's poor. Along the road to Cebu, hundreds of gamecocks can be seen tied to strings. We've even seen ads on local TV for "vitamin" supplements to aid the performance of the fighting cocks!

On arrival at the cockfighting arena, a jigsaw puzzle of scaffold and tin sheets held hundreds of screaming spectators. The noise came mostly from bookmakers spread through the crowd soliciting bets (most of which seemed around 500 pesos or USD $10) but once the combatants were brought into the arena, the noise quickly subsided.

Without going into the specifics of the actual contest, we discovered that the losing birds are given to the owners of the winners, the owners don't watch the fight but stay in air-conditioned comfort while the masses sweat it out on the bleachers and we never quite got our head around the betting.

And heaven knows how they tell the birds apart, but the undefeated King Arthur 16 was clearly well known by the regulars and was the most popular winner of the night. Needless to say, we might be giving KFC a miss today.

• Korea's Sim Somyung is the chip leader heading into the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu final table. A celebrity in his homeland after a successful gaming career as a Starcraft player, Somyung featured at the 2008 APPT Macau final table and is out to become the first Korean champion on the APPT.

His closest challenger is emerging online star David Hilton from the USA, one of four PokerStars Qualifiers at the final table. Two New Zealanders - ANZPT Queensland runner-up Phillip Willcocks and APPT Auckland High Roller champ Kevin Clark - will be waving the flag for the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Mark Pagsuyuin will be assured the lion's share of support as the sole Filipino at the final table. The other final table starters are PokerStars Qualifiers Nick Pronk (Netherlands) and Alexandr Tikholiz (Russia) along with experienced duo Terry Fan (Taipei) and Dong-bin Han (Korea).

It promises to be a memorable day here under The Marquee at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, with a charity event also scheduled to aid victims of the typhoons that have swept through the Philippines in recent months.

PokerStars.net APPT Cebu final table

Seat 1: Mark Pagsuyuin, Philippines (497,000 in chips)
Seat 2: Sim Somyung, South Korea (1,442,000 in chips)
Seat 3: David Hilton (PokerStars Qualifier), USA (995,000)
Seat 4: Terry Fan, Taipei (610,000 in chips)
Seat 5: Alexandr Tikholiz, Russian Federation (231,000 in chips)
Seat 6: Phillip Willcocks (PokerStars Qualifier), NZ (791,000 in chips)
Seat 7: Dong-bin Han, South Korea (862,000 in chips)
Seat 8: Nick Pronk (PokerStars Qualifier), Netherlands (563,000 in chips)
Seat 9: Kevin Clark (PokerStars Qualifier), NZ (191,000 in chips)

Live updates from day 3, level 21 (blinds 10,000-20,000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

8.15pm: Final table decided

The final table for the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event has been decided. Beng Hong Ker of Singapore was confirmed in 11th after shoving with [jh] [js] from the cut-off, but David Hilton was waiting in the big blind with [as] [ad]. The board ran out [6s] [7d] [ac] [10h] [9c] and the PokerStars Qualifier was out.

Just minutes later, Oleg Poluzhnikov committed his stack with [8d] [8h] and found himself up against the [10d] [10h] of Mark Pagsuyuin. Everyone in The Marquee packed around the table to follow the fortunes of the final Filipino player, and the cheers went up after the board came [qh] [as] [7h] [ks] [10s]. There were seven minutes left on the clock in level 21.

7.30pm: Nam Le out in 12th

Nam Le's hopes of a second APPT title have ended in 12th position. Mark Pagsuyuin called Le's all-in with [ah] [8h], and narrowed the gap on Le's [ac] [jc] when the flop came [ad] [5h] [9h]. The Filipino made his flush on the turn [10h], the river bricked [3c] and the 2006 WPT Shooting Stars champion was on his way to the door.

7.15pm: Bansuan unlucky 13th

The top 12 players in the APPT Cebu Main Event have been decided after the elimination of Allih "Yoyong" Bansuan in 13th. The second last Filipino player in the field pushed all-in with [qh] [9h] on a flop of [4c] [9c] [qc] with Korean Sim Somyung making the call. He showed [kc] [6c] for the second nuts, with the turn [6d] and river [ah] bringing no joy for Yoyong. Players have just returned from the third break of the day, with the 12 spread across two tables.

Seat 1: Mark Pagsuyuin, Manila, Philippines (497,000 in chips): Despite being one of the short stacks on the final table, there's no doubt that this PokerStars Cebu Satellite winner will go down fighting and have the crowd cheering him on along with his wife of 18 years. The 43-year-old grocer and now full-time poker player learned the game from high profile Filipino players Neil Arce and Wally Sombero six years ago. He has a PokerStars Filipino Poker Tour final table on his CV and plays online under the name ramking2266, "On no other site but PokerStars," he said.

Seat 2: Sim Somyung, South Korea, Seoul (1,442,000 in chips): When it comes to electronic gaming celebs, there were few bigger in Korea than Sim Somyung, who shocked the gaming community when he announced his retirement in 2007 at the ripe old age of 23. He reached the final table and finished ninth in the 2008 PokerStars.net APPT Macau Main Event - just his second major tournament start. He is now a full-time poker player and is aiming to join a select group of players to have reached two APPT final tables. He is the chip leader with 1.44 million.

Seat 3: David Hilton (PokerStars Qualifier), Tennessee, USA (995,000): A former retail assistant, 23-year-old David dhilton12 Hilton discovered poker at his local bar before turning professional. Hilton worked hard through Day 3 to come into the final table second in chips overall after having to suffer through a barrage of double-throughs. He plays mostly online and has several tournament victories to his name, including a Nightly Seventy Grand title on PokerStars, and despite the fact that this is only his second live tournament, he is feeling comfortable and enjoying his time in Cebu: "It's been wonderful here, truly amazing."

Seat 4: Terry Fan, Taipei (610,000 in chips): The 26-year-old former business consultant turned poker professional has already built an impressive resume, having not only scored some excellent results in Las Vegas and online but has taken several students under his wing and makes a living as a poker coach. "My birthday is in a couple of weeks so if I ship this tournament it would be a great birthday present for myself," Fan said. He holds a master degree in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University in the USA and has a WSOP Main Event cash to his name from 2006.

Seat 5: Alexandr Tikholiz (PokerStars Qualifier), St Petersburg, Russian Federation (231,000 in chips): Five players from Russia made the long trek to the Philippines. Incredibly, three cashed and two would have made the final table if not for the elimination of Oleg Poluzhnikov in 10th position. Tikholiz first journeyed to Cebu on a holiday with his family last year and was thrilled to be able to return after winning a seat on PokerStars. He's only been playing poker for one year but has already earned a spot in APPT record books as the first Russian player to reach a final table.

Seat 6: Phillip Willcocks (PokerStars Qualifier), Auckland, New Zealand (791,000 in chips): One of two New Zealanders at the final table, this 26-year-old from Auckland qualified for APPT Cebu on PokerStars, as was the case when he placed 21st in the 2008 PokerStars.net APPT Grand Final in Sydney and finished runner-up in the 2009 PokerStars.net ANZPT Queensland Main Event. He also helped New Zealand win the State of Origin title at the 2009 Victorian Poker Championships. A former molecular biologist, he now turn his microscope to the science of online poker after a friend "pushed" him into the game.

Seat 7: Dong-bin Han, Seoul, South Korea (862,000 in chips): In last year's APPT Manila Main Event, three Korean players reached the final table, including PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Tae Jun Noh. This year, two Korean have reached the ultimate poker stage in the Philippines' biggest event. Making his first major tournament appearance, this 37-year-old businessman has been playing poker for several years and makes a significant contribution to the growth of Korean poker by working with live players wishing to make the transition to online poker. He has been among the chip leaders for the past two days and is well placed to challenge countryman Sim Somyung for the title.

Seat 8: Nick Pronk (PokerStars Qualifier), Alkmaar, Netherlands (563,000 in chips): It's been an impressive first major live tournament for the 24-year-old PokerStars Qualifier. Hailing from the town of Alkmaar, north of Amsterdam, the drenching company employee has been playing poker for four years. It was an up-and-down day three for the Dutchman but he's feeling more relaxed as he comes into the APPT Cebu final table with more than 550,000 in chips: "I'm going to go for it, play a little more loose and aggressive but I'm only going to be playing for first place." He'll be out to surpass the effort of compatriot Bas Van Liere, who placed seventh in the 2007 APPT Manila Main Event.

Seat 9: Kevin Clark (PokerStars Qualifier), Auckland, New Zealand (191,000 in chips): A 36-year-old property investor and one of two Kiwis on the final table, Kevin Clark took up poker five years ago and has been a regular at the SKYCITY Auckland Casino since it opened its poker room. Clark won the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT High Roller Event and cashed 28th in the APPT Auckland Main Event 12 months earlier. Clark has nothing but praise for the inaugural APPT Cebu event and Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa: "The resort is amazing and the venue is second to none."

Live updates from day 3, level 20 (blinds 8000-16000, ante 2000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

7pm: Two birds with one stone

Two eliminations on the same hand have left Rody Kaka in 15th and Wei Sha 14th. Kaka, the cousin of last year's APPT Manila winner Van Marcus, was crippled when he ran pocket sevens into the pocket aces of Korea's Sim Somyung and bit the dust when pocket aces of his own - [ah] [ac] - and the [ad] [kh] of Wei Ska were overtaken after Dong-bin Han's [ac] [jc] improved to a straight on a board of [10d] [6d] [qd] [2s] [kc].

6.45pm: Kers cursed by Ker

Now they're coming thick and fast ... Yow Hui (Jack) Ng is our 17th-place finisher after Alexandr Tikholiz's [ad] [qh] took the biscuits against the father of PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Bryan Huang. Ng showed [as] [10h] and there was no love from a board of [6s] [js] [7h] [9c] [jc].

Pontus Kers completed another impressive APPT performance with a 16th here to go with his fifth in Macau. The end came for the Swedish PokerStars Qualifier when Beng Hong Ker's pocket kings found a friend on the flop against Kers' pocket aces.

6.30pm: From penthouse to poor house

David Hilton's chip lead has been slashed after a tough level 20. The US PokerStars Qualifier is down to 335,000 from a tournament-high of 960,000. The latest hit came when he called the all-in of Oleg Poluzhnikov with [kc] [qc]. The Russian showed [ah] [10c] but fell behind when the flop came [qd] [8h] [10h]. However, the turn [10d] gave Poluzhnikov trips and he took down a pot worth 215,000 when the river fell [js].

6.15pm: Bumpas bumped

Brian Bumpas has been eliminated from the APPT Cebu Main Event in 18th position, good for PHP 230,000. The American shoved all-in with [6c] [6h] but found Mark Pagsuyuin waiting with [kh] [ks]. The Filipino called and watched in delight as the board fell [10h] [qh] [jd] [9c] [3s], sending his stack north of 450,000.

6pm: Tech, Sato sent to the rail

Two eliminations in quick succession have reduced the APPT Cebu Main Event field to 18. John Tech's short stack didn't last long, with his [qs] [10d] well behind the [ah] [ad] of Wei Sha. The aces held firm on a board of [3h] [3s] [2h] [4s] [8h], and having Tech covered by just 5000, Sha scooped up the modest pot of 170,000.

Kiwi Phillip Willcocks had been tumbling down the chip count until he halted the fall with black kings against the pocket eights of chip leader David Hilton. At an adjacent table, Kazuhiro Sato put his tournament life on the line with [ac] [6c] with Pontus Kers making the call, and showing [kh] [js]. The [kd] on the turn pout the Swede ahead and ended Sato's hopes of emulating his 2007 APPT Manila final table appearance.

Live updates from day 3, level 19 (blinds 6000-12,000, ante 100) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

5.45pm: No laughing matter for Joe Ker

Finally Beng Hong "Joe" Ker takes the shackles off a tight and tense level 19, and gets smacked around for his trouble! Ker took virtually all of John Tech's chips when his red kings found a set on the flop against Tech's flopped pair of kings, but shipped most of those chips when his K-10 found a 10 on the flop, only to walk straight into the pocket aces of Pontus Kers. Win some, lose some ...

5.30pm: Yoyong on the rise

The only hand worth mention in the past 30 minutes featured Allih "Yoyong" Bansuan of the Philippines and Alexandr Tikholiz, the PokerStars Qualifier from Russia. Not surprisingly it was big hand versus big hand - the [kd] [kc] of Yoyong against [ad] [kh] for Tikholiz.

Jojo Tech started the action with a raise to 37,000, Bansuan called, Tikholiz pushed it to 100,000, Tech agonised before folding, Bansuan pushed all-in for 230,000 and Tikholiz instantly called. The board fell [qd] [qc] [5s] [7c] [4s], propelling Bansuan to 735,000 while Tikholiz is down to 390,000.

5.15pm: Magellan makes his mark

While things are a bit quiet, thought it worth telling the story of one of the great explorers whose name is indelibly linked with Mactan Island, venue for the APPT Cebu Main Event.

Back in the 16th century, Ferdinand Magellan was tasked by the Spanish government with finding a route to the lucrative Spice islands of south-east Asia (now known as Indonesia) as part of the first attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

As part of this journey, Magellan and his crew became the first Europeans to enter the Pacific from the Strait of Magellan, which he discovered. He landed in the Philippines in early 1521, where he famously planted a cross. It was here that the first Filipino Christians were baptised.

The Augustinian priests built a shrine for the cross between the years 1525 and 1740. The locals started taking off chips from the cross superstitiously believing that it possessed miraculous powers. So, a raised structure was built to protect the cross, which is situated in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. This is one of the famous Catholic shrines in the Philippines.

Magellan, who was greatly enthused by his success in converting most Cebuanos to Christianity decided to extend his efforts to Mactan Island. He crossed the channel to the island but was killed by the island chieftain Lapulapu and his men even before he could reach the shore.

Unfortunately, Magellan's body could never be recovered in spite of offers of jewellery and spices in exchange for the dead body. The Magellan Marker was erected in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died.

5pm: Slow, slow's the go

We've hit a wall since the last break with no eliminations and not much significant action as the lure of a final table berth starts to impact the players' willingness to make a move without a big hand. The short stacks feeling the pinch belong to John "Jojo" Tech (135,000), Oleg Poluzhnikov (120,000) and Wei Sha (60,000).

4.45pm: Hilton leads, Tikholiz closing

Players are taking their second break of the day, with David dhilton12 Hilton looking down on the rest of the field from his lofty perch of 960,000 in chips. The big mover in the last session was another PokerStars Qualifier, the impressively named Alexandr Petrovich Tikholiz of Russia. He's up to 710,000, most of which were acquired from former chip leader Phillip Willcocks from New Zealand.

The 20 players still in the APPT Cebu Main Event are spread across three tables, with the feature table in use for the first time. This will be the venue for the final table, but will be packed to capacity well before the action starts as The Marquee will be screening the WBO Welterweight world title fight between champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico and Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao, arguably the most popular Filipino on the face of the planet.

Live updates from day 3, level 18 (blinds 5000-10,000, ante 1000) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

4.15pm: Mongolian charge halted

Just 20 players remain in the hunt for the 2009 PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event title midway through the fourth level on day three. The title aspirations of Dustin Dorrance-Bowman, a PokerStars Player from the USA, have ended after the pocket kings of Dong-bin Han held up against the A-K of Dorrance-Bowman on a board that flowed [3s] [7d] [7h] [qh] [3h].

Shortly after, we farewelled the last of the 10 Mongolian players who made such a impact on this event. The last of Batsuren Tserendorj's chips were committed with [ks] [9c] and he needed help against the [10s] [10c] of Filipino Mark Pagsuyuin. However, the flop of [as] [10h] [2c] left Tserendorj on thin ice, and his tournament life was snuffed out with the turn [ad] and river [2h]. Suspect it won't be the last we see of the Mongolian contingent on the APPT.

4pm: Elimination, with interest

Korea's Seong Kim "James" Ho has been KOed in 23rd position after pushing in the last of his chips with [ks] [5s], holding middle-pair on a flop of [4c] [5c] [7d]. Alexandr Tikholiz, a PokerStars Qualifier from Russia came along for the ride and showed [8d] [8s]. The board ran out [ac] [7h], and the Russian earned no brownie points from his tablemates when he told the Korean to "go home" (or "domoi" in Russian) after winning the hand.

David Hilton continues to lead the tournament on 770,000 ahead of Phillip Willcocks (540,000), Dong-bin Han (410,000), Rody Kaka (360,000) and Joe Ker (340,000). At the other end of the chip count, there've just been timely double-ups for short stacks Wei Sha and Jack Ng while Mongolian poker pioneer Batsuren Tserendorj is the outright short stack on 65,000.

3.45pm: The APPT's very own Abbott and Costello

One of the highlights of our time at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa has been the nightly visit to the players' buffet. PokerStars.net Team Australia Pros Tony Hcahem and Eric Assadourian took some time out to review the offerings:

Watch APPT Cebu 09: Dinner in Style on PokerStars.tv

Live updates from day 3, level 17 (blinds 4000-8000, ante 500) of the PokerStars.net APPT Cebu Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander and Landon Blackhall from Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest selected chip counts can be found by clicking here.

3.30pm: Kaka climbs back into contention

After being among the chip leaders for much of the first two days, the hopes of Cambodian-based German PokerStars Player Mike Gaertner have ended in 24th place. The end came for Gaertner when he walked [8d] [8c] into the [kh] [kd] of the final Aussie in the field, Rody Kaka.

The board ran out [ah] [qs] [10c] [3s] [js], propelling Kaka to more than 470,000. After struggling for chips in the early going, Kaka has climbed to among the chip leaders and remains on target to emulate the feat of his cousin Van Marcus, who won this event last year when it was played in Manila.

3.15pm: PokerStars.tv previews day three of the APPT Cebu Main Event

Watch APPT Cebu 09: Day 3 Introduction on PokerStars.tv

3pm: Tasty return for satellite winner

Swede Martin Lundegren won his seat to the APPT Cebu Main Event here and carried that form all the way to 26th place, worth PHP 175,000. The short-stacked Lundegren made his last stand with [jd] [5d] only to find New Zealand PokerStars Qualifier Phillip Willcocks well ahead with [ad] [10c]. The board of [3d] [qd] [6d] [2d] [8c] gave both players a flush, but Willcocks held the nuts and scooped up the last of the Swede's chips.

Jerry Delisle's solid run has also come to an end after the American PokerStars Qualifier chased a straight draw with [7h] [8h] against the pocket queens of Allih "Yoyong" Bansuan of the Philippines, but missed his outs on a board of [6h] [2s] [9d] [4c] [3s]. Yoyong is now up to more than 400,000 with the remaining 24 players now condensed into just three tables.

2.45pm: Hilton upgraded, Harness evicted

Players have just returned from their first break of the day, where all the talk was the massive hand that sent US PokerStars Qualifier David Hilton into the chip lead and Raleigh Harness, another PokerStars Qualifier from the US, to the rail.

In three-way action, it was the [ac] [as] of US PokerStars Player Dustin Dorrance-Bowman against the [kc] [kh] of Hilton and [qs] [qd] for Harness. The room erupted when Hilton found a king on the flop of [10s] [9d] [kd] then, unbelievably, he made quads on the turn [ks]. The board ran out [jh], Bowman was down to 130,000, Harness was out and Hilton was off to the penthouse with 600,000.