From working as a tee-boy at Villamor Air Base to becoming a two-time 9-Ball World Champion, Carlo Biado remains overwhelmed by how things turned out for him and his family.
It’s a story that sounds almost too good to be true—one that begins on a golf course and ends with multiple world titles in billiards.
Carlo Biado, a boy who once carried golf clubs at Villamor Air Base, now holds three world titles, including two 9-Ball World Championship trophies.
Yet, despite reaching the pinnacle of his sport many times over, he admits the feeling still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“Alam mo sa totoo lang, until now, hindi ko pa rin talaga lubos maisip na ganito 'yung mararating ko,” Biado told One Sports, on the heels of his 2025 World Pool Championships victory, making him the only Filipino to win two 9-ball titles.
“Dahil nag-work ako dati sa Villamore Airbase sa driving range. As in, isa akong tee-boy. Tapos extra ako mag-caddy. Tapos, I think, elementary ako noong time na yun. After ko galing sa school, diretso ako sa driving range para lang maghanap-buhay.”
That routine of balancing school and work was Biado's reality as a kid. But everything changed when he stumbled upon a billiards table near the driving range.
What started as curiosity became passion. Soon enough, his passion turned to hope for a better life.
“Doon ako na-engganyong maglaro. Eh hindi ko i-ne-expect na ganito yung mararating ko talaga. Kaya I think, super blessed talaga ako,” he added.
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Biado began wielding a cue stick at age 13, but following this path came at a cost. He eventually stopped schooling and devoted himself to the game in the hopes of earning more money.
“Na-stop ako mag-aral dahil nga din sa paglalaro ng bilyar, at saka napakadali kumita ng pera. I mean, syempre, hindi naman kami ano, nahihirap lang kami noong time na yun,” he shared.
Coming from a broken family, with just his mother and a sibling to rely on, Biado took on the role of provider.
“Ako lang yung parang pinaka-tatay sa family [namin]. Dalawa lang kami mag-kapatid tapos, 'yung mother ko. Kaya ayun, pinagpatuloy ko na lang yung pagbi-bilyar dahil alam ko, dahil nakikita ko na pakiramdam ko na gagaling ako at madali kumita ng pera,” he said.
From earning meager prizes in small-town halls to competing against the world’s best, Biado’s persistence and talent propelled him to the top of the billiards world.
His life's journey is why winning the World 9-Ball Championship for the second time means more than just another trophy.
For Biado, it’s a title he dedicates to his wife, Aimee, as well as his family and supporters for their unwavering support throughout his career.
“Siyempre, masaya na nanalo at andyan 'yung family ko lalo na 'yung misis ko. Araw-araw tinatawagan ako niyan habang nakikipag-laban ako sa Jeddah,” Biado said.
“Happy ako dahil 100 percent nandiyan 'yung family ko naka-support sakin, at 'yung mga fans ko talagang grabe 'yung dasal nila para sakin sa laban ko lalo na nung Finals. Siguro kaya tayo nanalo dahil sa dami ng mga nagdarasal kaya nakuha natin 'yung kampeonata na ito.”