by Ferry Bayu | Aug 5, 2026 | Business
Spartan Philippines officially launched Spartan DEKA, introducing the global standard of hybrid fitness racing to the country on July 28, 2026, at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza. The milestone event featured live demonstrations of DEKA’s 10 standardized functional fitness zones and unveiled its first six official ambassadors, including celebrity athlete Alex Diaz and elite coaches across the Strong, Mile, and Fit categories. Highlighting a strategic partnership with the Department of Tourism’s “Love The Philippines” campaign, the launch emphasized boosting sports tourism by attracting international competitors, paving the way for upcoming public activations and a new era of competitive fitness for Filipinos.
MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES – July 29, 2026 – Spartan Philippines ushered in a new era of competitive sports with the highly anticipated official launch of Spartan DEKA, held yesterday, July 28, at the Grand Atrium of EDSA Shangri-La Plaza. The momentous event introduced the rapidly growing sport of Hybrid Fitness Racing to the country, promising a world-class arena for local athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
The launch event, which drew an energetic crowd, featured a dynamic drumming performance, a roadmap presentation for 2026-2027, and a thrilling live demonstration of the 10 standardized DEKA functional fitness zones.
“For years, Spartan Philippines has been about conquering obstacles on the trails and in the mud. But the fitness world is evolving, and so are we,” said Marc Laurenze Celis, General Manager of Spartan Philippines. “For the longest time, if our athletes wanted to test themselves on a global leaderboard in this specific format, they had to book a flight and travel abroad. Not anymore. We are bringing the global standard of fitness racing right here to the Philippines.”
Unveiling the DEKA Philippines Ambassadors
A major highlight of the afternoon was the grand reveal of the first-ever Spartan DEKA Philippines Ambassadors. Carefully selected to represent the three core formats of DEKA, these six athletes embody the resilience, strength, and community spirit of the brand:
• DEKA Strong (10 Zones, No Running)
o Yzah Umlas: Spartan and 3x bodybuilding, an absolute master of strength, discipline, and raw power.
o Alex Diaz: Beyond being one of the country’s most beloved and talented celebrities, Alex is a formidable fitness influencer, an incredibly fast Spartan racer, and a dynamic entrepreneur. He perfectly embodies the DEKA spirit, constantly proving to his audience that anyone can step into the arena, start their fitness journey, and completely redefine their limits.
• DEKA Mile (10 Zones, 160m run before each zone):
o Marline Capones: A relentless multisports athlete who brings unparalleled stamina and adaptability to the race course.
o Coach Don Velasco (Flying Don V): Our elite triathlon champion and master endurance coach who knows the science on how to build an unbreakable engine.
• DEKA Fit (10 Zones, 500m run before each zone): Elite hybrid fitness athlete Justin Hernandez and world-class Ninja OCR athlete Kaizen Dela Serna.
o Kaizen Dela Serna: A world-class elite athlete for Ninja OCR, bringing explosive speed, agility, and competitive fire.
o Justin Hernandez: An elite hybrid fitness athlete and coach who lives and breathes this exact style of programming and pacing.
Championing Sports Tourism with the Department of Tourism
The event also highlighted a powerful partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Office of Special Concerns, graced by the presence of Assistant Secretary Gissela Marie R. Quisumbing and Director Lyle Fernando H. Uy.
Aligning with the DOT’s “Love The Philippines” campaign, Spartan Philippines announced the upcoming introduction of the Spartan Love The Philippines APAC Ambassadors. This initiative taps international Spartan Athletes from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Cambodia. These global ambassadors will serve as a bridge to encourage international athletes to travel and race in the Philippines, further cementing the country’s position as a premier destination for sports tourism.
The launch was made possible through the support of key partners, including Shangri-La Plaza and Fenix/FITIQAsia, who provided equipment for the live DEKA demonstration.
Following this successful media launch, Spartan DEKA Philippines will continue its momentum with upcoming public activations with a Deka Strong Road Show at the PhilFit Expo this August 19 to 21 leading towards the first Deka Fit Arena event at Space at One Ayala on October 3-4 where an estimate 5000+ runners will be joining.
For more information on upcoming races, the 2026-2027 roadmap, and how to get involved, follow Spartan Philippines on social media or visit their official website.
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About Obstacle Course Camp Inc.
Spartan Race Philippines is the local arm of Spartan, the world’s leading obstacle course racing (OCR) and endurance brand. Organized by Obstacle Course Camp, Inc. in the Philippines since 2017 it caters to extreme athletic events, community training camps, and wellness programs across the country, encouraging participants to push past physical and mental limits.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 5, 2026 | Business
Carziqo says it does not operate or authorize any Facebook Groups and urges users to verify company information only through its official website, platform, Facebook Page, and official applications.
Carziqo has issued an official public notice warning users and members of the public about unauthorized Facebook Groups using or associating themselves with the Carziqo name, brand, identity, or business activities.
The company clarified that Carziqo does not currently operate, manage, authorize, or endorse any Facebook Group. According to the company, its presence on Facebook is limited to its official Facebook Page, and any Facebook Group claiming to represent Carziqo or operate on behalf of the company should not be regarded as an official communication channel.
The announcement forms part of Carziqo’s efforts to strengthen the integrity of its digital communications and help users distinguish verified company channels from unauthorized accounts, communities, and third-party representations.
Carziqo Clarifies Its Official Facebook Presence
Carziqo said its only official presence on Facebook is its official Facebook Page:
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Carziqotechltd
The company emphasized that it has not authorized Facebook Groups to operate under the Carziqo name.
Users are therefore advised to exercise caution when encountering Facebook Groups that use the Carziqo name, logo, vehicle images, promotional materials, corporate information, or other brand assets to suggest an official relationship with the company.
The appearance of Carziqo branding alone should not be considered evidence that a group, account, administrator, or individual has been authorized by the company.
Official Website and Platform
For company information, announcements, platform access, and official updates, Carziqo encourages users to rely on its recognized digital channels.
Official Website: https://www.carziqo.com/
Official Platform: https://vip.carziqo.net/
Carziqo said these channels provide users with direct access to information associated with the company and its platform operations.
Official Carziqo Apps
Carziqo also reaffirmed the availability of its official application across several major digital distribution platforms.
Google Play — Carziqo https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.carziqo.app
Apple App Store — Carziqo https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carziqo/id6782063635
Microsoft Store — Carziqo https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9npkwj7nrhwv
Amazon Appstore — Carziqo https://www.amazon.co.uk/carziqo-Carziqo/dp/B0H1SF8YVF
Users are encouraged to verify the application name, official listing information, and distribution source before installing an application presented as being associated with Carziqo.
Protecting Users From Impersonation and Misrepresentation
The company said unauthorized use of its identity can create confusion among users and may expose members of the public to misleading information, false representations, unauthorized solicitations, or other potential risks.
Carziqo stated that it takes brand impersonation, false representation, misleading communications, and unauthorized use of its corporate identity seriously.
The company said it will continue to investigate suspected impersonation and, where appropriate, take firm action against individuals, groups, pages, accounts, or other parties that falsely represent themselves as Carziqo or mislead users through unauthorized use of the Carziqo name and brand.
Such measures may include preserving relevant evidence, reporting unauthorized accounts or groups to digital platforms, issuing formal legal notices, pursuing available legal remedies, and referring suspected unlawful activity to the appropriate authorities where warranted.
User Protection Remains a Priority
Carziqo said the measures are intended not only to protect its corporate identity but also to safeguard the rights, interests, security, and trust of its users.
The company advises users not to provide passwords, verification codes, account credentials, payment information, personal information, or funds to individuals whose connection with Carziqo cannot be verified through official company channels.
Users who encounter suspicious Facebook Groups, accounts, pages, administrators, or individuals claiming to represent Carziqo are encouraged to preserve relevant information—including screenshots, links, group names, account names, and communication records—and report the matter through Carziqo’s official channels.
“Carziqo does not operate or authorize any Facebook Groups. We encourage all users to verify information through our official website, official platform, official Facebook Page, and officially distributed Carziqo applications. We will take firm action against false impersonation and unauthorized representation in order to protect the rights and interests of our users and the integrity of the Carziqo brand.”
About Carziqo
Carziqo is an autonomous mobility technology company focused on intelligent driving systems, smart fleet operations, driverless ride-hailing, and connected mobility services.
Through its digital platform and mobility technology ecosystem, the company continues to develop infrastructure and services designed to support more intelligent, connected, and technology-driven mobility operations.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 5, 2026 | Business
As AI automates routine accounting work, firms face a new challenge: developing the next generation of accountants and finance leaders while maintaining the human judgment, accountability, and expertise the profession requires.
Accounting firms are accelerating their use of artificial intelligence while confronting a parallel concern: many of the repetitive, lower–risk activities being automated have traditionally helped junior accountants learn financial systems, internal controls, audit procedures, and professional skepticism.
The issue has gained urgency in 2026 as professional organizations examine how accounting automation will affect early-career roles and the development of future managers, partners, controllers, and CFOs.
Research published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on May 22, 2026, found that 68% of participating firms believed AI would reduce demand for some early-career accountants. However, 83% agreed that this would not directly result in fewer accounting roles overall.
The survey covered managing partners and CEOs from 35 UK mid-tier ICAEW member firms and was conducted between February and March 2026. Its findings reflect the expectations of this specific group and should not be treated as a global accounting-industry survey.
Meanwhile, the American Institute of CPAs launched its Profession Ready Initiative in early 2026 to identify the capabilities aspiring and early-career CPAs will need in an increasingly AI-driven workplace. The project is studying entry-level professionals and CPAs at approximately the four-year career stage, with research, public consultation, and final resources expected to continue into 2027.
Together, these developments suggest that the immediate challenge is not simply whether AI will eliminate accounting jobs. The larger question is whether firms can redesign work quickly enough to preserve the learning experiences that develop professional judgment.
More than 3,000 new Philippine CPAs enter a changing profession
The issue is particularly relevant to the Philippines.
On June 2, 2026, the Professional Regulation Commission announced that 3,004 of the 9,745 candidates who took the May 2026 Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination passed.
These results represent a substantial new cohort of Philippine accounting talent entering or preparing to enter–a profession in which employers are reconsidering the work assigned to junior employees.
The examination results do not measure AI readiness, employability, or the supply and demand for accountants.
However, they illustrate the number of newly qualified professionals whose career development may be affected by changes in accounting technology, finance outsourcing, and global service-delivery models.
For Philippine accounting graduates, the changing environment could create both opportunity and risk.
Automation may reduce the time spent on transaction processing and routine verification, but employers may consequently expect new professionals to develop analytical ability, technological fluency, communication skills, and professional judgment earlier in their careers.
Philippine accounting outsourcing is moving toward higher-value work
The OECD’s 2026 Economic Survey of the Philippines, citing 2025 information from the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, reported that the Philippine IT-BPM industry employed approximately 1.8 million people, representing around 3.7% of total employment, and generated revenue equivalent to around 8% of GDP.
The OECD also noted that the industry has been diversifying beyond contact-center and back-office work into higher-value areas such as global capability centers, healthcare information management, IT, software, data analytics, and knowledge-process services.
It warned, however, that AI creates significant exposure for routine clerical work and that workforce upgrading will be necessary for AI-intensive global service delivery.
On April 19, 2026, the Philippines’ Department of Finance similarly reported that the BPO industry was evolving toward higher-value services involving artificial intelligence, data analytics, and IT-enabled work.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go identified the sector as one of the industries expected to contribute to the country’s next wave of employment.
For Philippine accounting outsourcing providers, the implication is that long-term competitiveness cannot depend solely on transferring repetitive work from higher-cost markets.
Accounting talent will increasingly need to contribute through analysis, exception management, controls, reporting, client communication, technology oversight, and decision support.
Firms must redesign learning–not only automate tasks
Eduard Ortega, CPA, CMA, Founder and CEO of Remotely Philippines, said the profession should treat training design as part of its AI and finance transformation strategy.
“The firms that thrive won’t simply automate accounting – they’ll redesign how accountants learn, exercise judgment, and create value,” Ortega said. “AI should accelerate professional development, not replace it.”
Vouching – the process of comparing accounting records with supporting documentation–is one example of foundational work increasingly supported by technology.
AI-powered audit tools can accelerate portions of that process, but professionals still need to understand why the procedure is performed, what evidence is appropriate, and how to identify an output that may be incomplete or incorrect.
This changes the role of entry-level accountants. Instead of spending most of their time compiling information, junior professionals may be asked earlier to evaluate exceptions, investigate inconsistencies, interpret results, and communicate findings.
It also changes the responsibility of managers. When accounting automation reduces the volume of routine preparation work, firms must find other ways to provide repetition, feedback, review exposure, and progressively more complex assignments.
What CFOs and accounting firms are asking about AI
From Remotely Philippines’ experience supporting accounting firms and finance teams, expectations are increasingly extending beyond whether outsourced professionals can complete a defined task.
Clients also look for team members who can understand workflows, identify exceptions, communicate clearly with reviewers, and take ownership of work quality.
According to Ortega, this makes AI governance and human accountability central to both in-house finance transformation and outsourced accounting services.
“The most useful question is no longer simply whether a tool can perform an accounting task,” Ortega said.
“Finance leaders also need to ask who reviews the result, whether that person understands the underlying process, how client data is protected, and who remains accountable when the output is wrong.”
AI in accounting should therefore be implemented as a controlled productivity and insight layer. Human authorization should remain in place for accounting judgments, postings, reconciliations, payments, and client-facing outputs.
Five actions firms should take over the next 12 months
Accounting firms, CFOs, and finance leaders can take five practical steps as they expand their use of AI:
- Map tasks against learning outcomes
Before automating a process, identify what employees currently learn by performing it. If automation removes that experience, determine how the underlying knowledge will be taught and assessed.
- Define human review and accountability
Document who reviews AI-generated work, what evidence reviewers must examine, which exceptions require escalation, and who has final authority over the output.
- Redesign junior accounting roles
Give early-career professionals structured exposure to exception investigation, account analysis, controls, client communication, forecasting, reporting, and process improvement–not only transaction processing.
- Train managers to coach AI-enabled teams
Managers will need to explain underlying accounting principles, evaluate employees’ reasoning, and provide feedback even when software performs part of the original task.
- Measure development alongside efficiency
Track quality, review findings, training hours, client exposure, promotion readiness, retention, and progression into higher-value responsibilities. Hours saved should not be the only measure of successful accounting automation.
Questions leaders should ask before adopting an accounting AI tool
Before implementing AI in accounting or finance outsourcing, leaders should ask:
– Which tasks will the technology perform or influence?
– What professional knowledge was previously developed through those tasks?
– Who will review the output and approve the final decision?
– What financial or client information will enter the system?
– How will incorrect, unsupported, or unusual outputs be escalated?
– Can the employee reviewing the result explain the underlying accounting treatment?
– How will the technology affect junior-level training and career progression?
– What quality, privacy, security, and financial-control measures must remain unchanged?
These questions help distinguish controlled technology enablement from automation that creates new operational or professional-development risks.
A broader conversation for the accounting profession
For local accounting firms, the transition creates an immediate workforce-development challenge. For Philippine accounting graduates, it raises the standard for technological fluency and professional judgment.
For accounting outsourcing and finance outsourcing providers, it creates an opportunity to move toward more analytical, supervised, and technology-enabled services.
That opportunity will depend on whether employers provide real progression rather than simply relocating routine work.
Responsible Philippine accounting outsourcing should enable professionals to move from preparing work to reviewing it, explaining it, improving the process, and eventually leading engagements.
“As AI adoption accelerates across the accounting profession, the conversation should shift from what technology can automate to how firms can continue developing future finance leaders,” Ortega said.
The future accounting team is unlikely to be entirely human or entirely automated. Its effectiveness will depend on how well firms combine technology with professional skepticism, governance, accountability, and human judgment.
About Remotely Philippines Inc.
Remotely Philippines is a professional services firm delivering end-to-end accounting, assurance, advisory, and compliance solutions for businesses worldwide.
Strengthened by our core values of accountability, inclusivity, and transparency, we provide custom, future-ready solutions that empower organizations to stay compliant, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth across markets.
Our team of highly skilled Filipino professionals combines global standards with local expertise – ensuring precision, efficiency, and financial reliability. This allows our clients to focus on strategy, while we safeguard the financial backbone of their business.
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