How high school sweethearts Lester Edoc and Ferlyn Cabaling built a family, a legacy, and a claimed 30 APT titles

For Filipino poker couple Lester Edoc and Ferlyn Cabaling, the Asian Poker Tour (APT) has been more than just a place to compete for trophies and prize money.

Over nearly two decades, the tour has played a significant role in their lives, witnessing their growth as poker players and even providing the stage for one of the most memorable moments in their relationship.

Having known each other since 2001, the high-school sweethearts have spent the past 25 years together, sharing a passion for poker that has taken them across Asia. Along the way, they have accumulated numerous tournament victories, raised a family, and created memories that extend far beyond the poker tables.

Among those memories, one moment from 2015 stands out above all others: a double victory on the APT stage that ended with a surprise marriage proposal.

From High-School Sweethearts to Poker Players

Together, Lester Edoc and Ferlyn Cabaling has won multiple titles over the years; some even coming together in the same tournaments.

Their journey into poker began with Lester, who was introduced to the game by a sibling returning from Las Vegas. What started as a casual home game in Baguio, Philippines, gradually developed into a serious passion for the game.

The couple both hailed from the Benguet province area, although their relationship eventually saw them living some distance apart. While Lester was based in Baguio, Ferlyn was working as a nurse in Batangas, giving Lester an opportunity to combine visits to his future wife with trips to the poker tables.

"Whenever I would go to her, I would pass by Manila to play poker in Metro Card Club before going to her place in Batangas," Lester recalled.

By 2009, Lester had begun taking poker more seriously, while Ferlyn was developing an interest in the game herself.

"I started playing after watching him play online," Ferlyn explained. "I also had an online coach, until Lester encouraged me to play live poker."

That encouragement proved significant, with Ferlyn going on to establish herself as one of the APT's most successful Ladies Event competitors, enjoying a remarkable run of titles during the tour's earlier years.

However, one particular APT stop would prove especially meaningful for both of them.

A Double Victory and an Unforgettable Proposal

In 2015, Lester had something special planned, although executing it depended on a little help from Ferlyn at the poker tables.

Having secured victory in an APT High Roller tournament, Lester approached the tournament staff with an unusual request. Rather than immediately celebrating his victory on stage, he wanted to delay his trophy presentation until Ferlyn had finished competing in the Ladies Event.

"Once I won the High Roller, Iasked the floor, 'Can you delay my trophy awarding? I will wait for her to win the Ladies,'" Lester recalled.

As it turned out, Ferlyn delivered exactly the result he had been hoping for.

"And she won it! We got awarded onthe stage together. Then perfect timing, the ring. The proposal happened."

With both players celebrating tournamentvictories, Lester seized the opportunity to propose to his long-time partner infront of their fellow competitors on the APT stage.

When asked about her reaction to the surprise proposal, Ferlyn offered a response that drew plenty of laughter.

"I wanted to run away," she joked.

Lester was quick to respond, joking that she must have meant running straight to church to get married.

More than a decade later, the couple can look back fondly on that memorable moment, which remains a particularly special chapter in their shared history with the APT.

A Family of Champions

Lester and Ferlyn sharing their stories at APT Jeju 2026

As of time of writing, the couple have amassed 30 APT titles together over the years, a record no other couple may beat.Today, Lester and Ferlyn are parents to three children, with their competitive spirit seemingly extending to the next generation.

According to Lester, their children understand that poker is his profession and have grown up surrounded by reminders of their parents' achievements, particularly the trophies displayed at home.

"They understand, they're aware that it's my profession, my job. And I think they're proud of us, because they see my trophies at home," Lester shared.

While one of their children has already started exploring poker, their current sporting ambitions lie largely elsewhere, with golf becoming a significant interest for the family.

Lester revealed that his children have already found success in competitive golf, collecting trophies of their own as they pursue ambitions of becoming professional players.

"They're frequently champions too, so they have a lot of trophies as well," he explained. "So maybe it's because they see I have a lot of trophies, they've kind of adopted it into golf too."

Growing Alongside the Asian Poker Tour

Edoc keeps his winning ways earlier this year at APT Taipei 2026

Having been involved with the APT since its arrival in the Philippines in 2008, Lester has witnessed much of the tour's evolution over the years.

A two-time APT Main Event champion, having captured both titles in 2018, the Filipino poker professional has continued to demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest levels of the game.

His recent performances are testament to that longevity. At the APT Championship 2025, Lester finished fourth in the High Roller - Single Re-Entry for USD 85,737, while also recording a 13th-place finish in the Super High Roller Championship worth USD 41,352.

He carried that momentum into 2026, capturing the High Roller title at APT Taipei 2026 for USD 76,894 before adding another fourth-place finish in the High Roller at APT Jeju 2026 for USD 50,821.

Despite his many years on the circuit, Lester remains as competitive as ever, with the APT's increasingly large fields providing plenty of motivation to keep returning.

"Actually, APT is one of the best in Asia," he said. "There's always a lot of players. And for me, that's always something I look for, the large field, large payout, things like that."

Ferlyn, meanwhile, has also witnessed the remarkable transformation of the tour, recalling a time when the APT felt like a much smaller, close-knit community.

"Back then, all the players knew each other," she recalled. "And then, all of a sudden, there's so many other players."

She also highlighted the significant growth in tournament participation, particularly in the Main Event and High Rollern tournaments, alongside the increased number of opportunities available to female competitors.

"Back then, there was just one Ladies Event for the whole series. And now it's every day."

More Than Just Trophies

Edoc and Punnat Punsri, both stalwarts of the Tour, sharing a lighthearted moment at APT Taipei 2023

Looking back on his career, Lester believes poker has taught him valuable lessons that extend beyond the game itself.

"Discipline, patience, and especially, health," Lester reflected. "Nowadays, I see poker pros who are really health conscious. So that's one of the things that I've learned from poker."

These are lessons that have accompanied him throughout his years as a professional player, as well as his journey alongside Ferlyn and their growing family.

From their early days as high-school sweethearts to becoming established figures in the Asian poker community, Lester and Ferlyn have built a partnership defined by shared experiences, individual accomplishments, and a love for the game.

As the APT celebrates its 20-Year Anniversary, their story serves as a reminder that the tour's history is shaped not only by the champions and records it produces, but also by the personal connections and memories created along the way.

And after nearly two decades of competing on the tour, Lester's message for the APT is a simple one:

"Keep doing what you're doing. Players have always loved the APT, so just keep doing what's best for the players."

As the Asian Poker Tour celebrates its milestone 20-year anniversary, it's time to take a look back at the stories that have shaped those two decades. From the people that have helped to shape the APT experience, to the players on the felt that have defined the very competition the tour stands for.

Throughout the year, the APT will unveil a series of iconic stories offering personal perspectives of how the tour has impacted lives, careers, and journeys.