Personal Information

Name : Dennis Orcullo
Residence : Quezon City, Philippines
DOB : January 19, 1979
Birthplace : Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

2000 Cebu Open Champion

Interview by EPT Correspondent Kontra

kontra: How did you start playing pool? What made you interested in the game? How long have you been playing the game?

Dennis: Started playing at 7 yrs old, admiring my uncle who plays others for money. Playing pool wasn't easy for me at that time, almost everyone was against me playing, so I have to sneak out late at night when my grandpa is already sleeping. Slowly get the balls without making any noise (my first time was only 3 balls) and sneak out and play on the table. I would get beaten up by my grandpa when he discovers I'm playing pool, so I get a lot of bruises learning… that was the harder part aside from learning to pocket balls. Then came an opportunity at the age of 9 I saw my grandpa loosing money on the table, when he left to get a little snack I actually paid a guy to play in his place and after faking 2 loses to ask me in to substitute for him. When my grandpa came back I had won back most of the thousand pesos he lost and everybody was complaining not to let me play for him anymore. This became the start of my real interest, because of my age and height nobody would play me, sometimes I have to give spots just to get an opponent that is very much stronger than me to play against me.


kontra: How long have you been a professional player?

Dennis: I became a full pledged professional in 1999.


kontra: What made you decide that you want to be a professional player?

Dennis: Sheer guts, love for competition.


kontra: Did you have a mentor or did you learn the game by yourself?

Dennis: I learned the game all by myself and by watching other good players play.


kontra: What is your greatest accomplishment as a professional pool player as of this date?

Dennis: My greatest accomplishments are winning over strong players like, Tukaw, Allan Cuartero, Bert Pasay, Nikoy Lining ,Warren Kiamco, Lee Van and Alex Pagulayan in our matches.


kontra: How do you envision the future of pool? How do you compare the men's from the women's level of play?

Dennis: Pool will become more popular and true player interest are growing. Women players are also growing, but their standard of play is still low, maybe the strongest would only be the equivalent of a Class B player compared to the male.


kontra: Who is your favorite professional pool player? Why? Did this player have any influence on the way you play the game?

Dennis: Antonio 'Nikoy' Lining is my favorite, simple but accurate, good strategy. Personality wise, mabait, simple and low profile. I'd like to follow his style.


kontra: What do you do when you're not playing pool?

Dennis: When not playing pool? I rest and think of pool…


kontra: How often do you practice? How many hours do you spend practicing? How do you practice in preparation for a tournament?

Dennis: Almost everyday I guess, 8 to 10hrs or more. Practice at least 5hrs the day before the game, relax and sleep early. Walang Bisyo (no vices).


kontra: What advice would you give a young player who would like to improve their game?

Dennis: Practice hard if you want to become good, no drinking and smoking. I was a fisherman before I became a professional pool player thru hard practice and dedication.


kontra: What are your plans for the future, in terms of playing professional pool? Do you plan to play international tours or just local tournaments? What are your goals for this year?

Dennis: Buy a house , set-up a pool hall. I want to get international exposure.


kontra: For those people who may not know much about you, what can you tell them about yourself?

Dennis: I'm a simple guy, easy to be with.


kontra: What do you consider the strongest part of your game? The weakest? What game do you consider is your best game?

Dennis: My pocketing is the strongest and weakest is cue ball position. My best game so far is against Lee Van Corteza, where we played rotation race to 6 and I won 6-0, then played 9 balls and won 2 out of 3 sets.


kontra: Filipinos have always been considered very strong players. Why do you think that is? What's makes us different from the rest of the world? How can we maintain our current standing in the pool world?

Dennis: We are very eager to practice hard and good at controlling the cue ball. Plays everyday. Many foreigners are following our style, Japan and Taiwan are some examples. Recently there were 2 Finnish players who who came to our country to practice and learn our tricks of the trade. They are Shampoo(is just our nickname for him kasi mahirap tandaan name nya (his real name is difficult to remember)) and Marcus. Marcus already went home and we got some news that he has been making good now. Shampoo is still here in Makati managing a billiard hall.
To maintain our current status we should strive hard to develop and support our current crop of players, other players will always be trying to catch up to us and if they strive to excel, they might finally catch up. We specially call for support from the government and the private sector.