Santiago Moreno

 is a contestant from Survivor: Trinidad.

Profile
Name (Age): Santiago Moreno (27)

Current Residence: Orlando, FL

Occupation: Professional Poker Player

Claim to Fame: Winning various local poker tournaments throughout Florida and the South in general. A lot of people see me as the most successful and well-known Filipino poker player in the entire United States, and while I’m not sure how true that is, it’s still a badge I wear with pride. (smiles) All of that, before even turning 30 years old. That’s crazy, man!

Inspiration in Life: Growing up, it was crazy to hear all about Martin Luther King and how bad things were just fifty years ago, when it comes to equality and all that. We watched a lot of his speeches in school, and seeing a guy who faced so much s*** for something he couldn’t control to be so calm yet so passionate… that could inspire just about anybody.

Hobbies: A lot of people see poker players as arrogant, cocky, and obnoxious, but I really enjoy a night alone, watchin’ TV, not doing anything too extravagant. Sure, crazy ragers are a helluva time, but I don’t usually want that kinda energy around me. Destressing is huge for me and my mental health.

Pet Peeves: The worst is when people are always talking about themselves, and trying to shift the topic of discussion to themselves whenever they can. I get it, it feels good to talk about the accomplishments you’ve made and for people to recognize ‘em, but for God’s sake, some people really can’t stop with it. It gets so exhausting after a while, especially since a lot of poker dudes are huge narcissists.

3 Words to Describe You: Calculated, cunning, and personable

If you could bring 3 things onto the island with you, what would you bring and why?: I’m not letting myself say “deck of cards” to this question. (laughs) I’d probably take a book or something I can do by myself if I need alone time, a phone to call back home if I want advice from friends and family, and a fan for when it gets extra toasty or uncomfortable.

SURVIVOR Contestant you are most like: I think I’m an Adam Johnson, if I had to choose. I think I’m a lot more strategic than he was, but his whole thing was to be the laidback guy who gets along with people, and I think I’ll be the same way, too. I’m just a naturally calm guy who likes to socialize. (shrugs)

Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: I do like the mind-game aspect of poker a lot, with bluffing and hiding tricks up your sleeves and all that. Survivor is like that, but cranked up to a whole other level. I’m not super familiar with the show, but I have seen some of the crazy betrayals that have gone on. I think that s*** is incredible, and while I’m a pretty laidback guy, I’m not afraid to slit a few throats if I need to.

Why you will be the Sole Survivor: Playing poker professionally at the skill level that I do means that I can lie pretty convincingly to people’s faces, which is going to be huge in the game. I’m not really planning on going over-the-top with the dishonesty, but if I have to lie, which I will, I don’t think I’ll get caught in the act. That, and with how social I am, means that I’ve got what it takes to get the million dollar check once the game’s over.