Tuesday, September 1, 2026

World Council Excellence Awards Ministry Inc. Honors PR1ME Z Leaders with Multiple Distinctions

  

PR1ME Z Entrepreneurs Inc. marks another significant milestone as two of its leaders receive multiple recognitions from the World Council Excellence Awards Ministry Inc.

President & CEO Zack Lopez was recognized as Asia Pacific Entrepreneur and received the Dangal ng Bayan Negosyante distinction.

Vice President Mhai Bantados was likewise honored as a Women of the World – Certified Member Business Advocate and received the Dangal ng Bayan Kababaihan Negosyante recognition.

The recognitions highlight the achievements of two Filipino business leaders whose respective journeys reflect the growing participation of Filipino entrepreneurs in leadership and business advocacy.

Lopez’s Asia Pacific Entrepreneur and Dangal ng Bayan Negosyante distinctions add another milestone to his continuing journey in entrepreneurship and organizational leadership, while Bantados’ Women of the World – Certified Member Business Advocate and Dangal ng Bayan Kababaihan Negosyante recognitions underscore her growing role as a woman leader and advocate in the business community.

The recognition of both PR1ME Z leaders represents a proud moment for the organization and its growing community of entrepreneurs.

More than the titles themselves, the occasion serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership, perseverance, and the continued pursuit of excellence.

Two PR1ME Z leaders. Four distinctions. One milestone in Filipino entrepreneurship.

About PR1ME Z Entrepreneurs Inc.

PR1ME Z Entrepreneurs Inc. is a Filipino-owned health and wellness direct-selling company committed to providing quality wellness products while creating meaningful business opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.


Monday, August 31, 2026

Carziqo Launches Phased Operations of ER-MX Driverless Ride-Hailing Fleet in Dallas


 Autonomous mobility technology company Carziqo has begun phased operations of its ER-MX driverless ride-hailing fleet in Dallas, expanding its presence in the United States and bringing its intelligent transportation platform to one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas.

The initial rollout is being conducted within designated service zones under controlled operating conditions. According to the company, the first phase will focus on evaluating vehicle performance, dispatch efficiency and service consistency across a range of real-world urban environments.

The ER-MX fleet is designed for short- and medium-distance passenger journeys, including connections between residential communities, commercial districts, transport hubs and other high-demand destinations. Carziqo said the deployment would gradually expand as operational data, safety assessments and local transportation requirements are reviewed.

Dallas presents a demanding environment for autonomous mobility systems. Its extensive road network, rapidly developing suburbs, busy highways and varied traffic patterns require autonomous vehicles to respond to complex and frequently changing conditions.

Carziqo said these characteristics made the city an important location for evaluating the ER-MX platform’s ability to operate reliably at scale.

“Dallas offers the type of diverse transportation environment needed to strengthen autonomous mobility technology,” the company said in a statement. “The ER-MX deployment will allow us to gather additional real-world data while improving vehicle coordination, intelligent dispatching and remote operational support.”

A phased and controlled deployment

Rather than opening citywide service immediately, Carziqo is adopting what it describes as a “controlled operations, steady scaling” strategy.

During the early stage, the company will monitor vehicle availability, route completion, passenger demand and system response under different road and traffic conditions. Service boundaries and operating capacity may be adjusted based on performance data and operational assessments.

The company said its fleet-management platform can coordinate vehicle allocation, route planning, charging schedules, maintenance requirements and remote assistance. This centralized system is intended to reduce unnecessary vehicle downtime while matching available cars with passenger demand more efficiently.

Vehicles in the ER-MX series incorporate environmental sensing, real-time navigation and automated driving technologies. The system is designed to continuously analyze surrounding vehicles, road markings, traffic signals and potential hazards before determining an appropriate driving response.

Remote operational teams will also monitor fleet activity and provide assistance when a vehicle encounters an unusual or complex situation, Carziqo said. The company emphasized that the technology would continue to be refined using data gathered during actual operations.

Dallas emerges as an autonomous mobility market

The Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area has experienced sustained population and commercial growth, creating greater demand for flexible transportation services. Long travel distances and limited public transportation coverage in some communities have also encouraged the development of new mobility options.

Autonomous ride-hailing companies see an opportunity to supplement existing transportation networks by providing on-demand services without relying entirely on traditional driver availability.

For passengers, driverless ride-hailing could eventually provide more consistent service during off-peak hours and in areas where conventional ride-hailing coverage is limited. For fleet operators, automation may improve vehicle utilization and enable transportation capacity to be managed more dynamically.

However, deploying autonomous vehicles in a new market involves more than introducing the technology itself. Operators must address passenger confidence, vehicle maintenance, cybersecurity, emergency procedures and coordination with relevant authorities.

Carziqo said the Dallas program would place particular emphasis on operational discipline and service reliability as the company evaluates whether the ER-MX fleet is ready for wider deployment.

Safety and public confidence remain central

Public acceptance remains one of the most important challenges facing the autonomous vehicle industry. While driverless systems have advanced considerably, passengers and other road users continue to expect clear information about how vehicles are monitored and how unusual situations are handled.

Carziqo said safety assessments would remain part of every stage of the Dallas rollout. Operational data will be reviewed to identify areas where driving behavior, route selection, dispatching or remote-support procedures may need improvement.

The company is also expected to use passenger feedback to refine the booking and in-vehicle experience. Clear ride instructions, responsive customer support and accessible emergency assistance will be essential as more first-time passengers encounter driverless vehicles.

“Autonomous mobility must demonstrate reliability through everyday service, not only through technical testing,” the company said. “Our objective is to build a transportation system that passengers can understand, access and trust.”

Building a broader US operating network

The Dallas launch forms part of Carziqo’s broader strategy to develop a connected network of autonomous mobility operations across selected US cities.

Data gathered from different markets can help the company compare road conditions, passenger behavior, fleet utilization and maintenance requirements. These findings may be used to create operating standards that can be adapted to additional cities while accounting for local transportation needs.

Carziqo’s approach reflects a broader shift within the autonomous vehicle industry. Companies are increasingly moving beyond isolated demonstrations toward carefully defined commercial operations, where the principal test is whether autonomous fleets can deliver safe, repeatable and economically sustainable transportation.

The Dallas deployment will therefore serve as both a local mobility initiative and a test of Carziqo’s ability to manage a growing autonomous fleet across multiple operating environments.

The company has not announced a timetable for citywide availability. Further expansion is expected to depend on operational results, regulatory coordination, infrastructure readiness and demand within the initial service areas.

For now, the arrival of the ER-MX fleet represents another sign that Dallas is becoming an increasingly important testing ground for next-generation transportation.

As autonomous ride-hailing technology moves closer to routine public use, the performance of deployments such as Carziqo’s will help determine how quickly driverless mobility becomes part of everyday urban transportation.

FLOQ and ASTER Signed MoU at Indonesia Blockchain Week 2026 to Expand Web3 Access in Indonesia


 FLOQ, an Indonesian crypto asset trading platform with over 1.8 registered million users, and ASTER have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Indonesia Blockchain Week (IDBW) 2026, marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at expanding access to Web3 products and services for users in Indonesia.

The MoU establishes a framework for both parties to explore several areas of collaboration, including referral programs, community activations, expanded support for the ASTER network, and potential product integration models suited to Indonesia’s digital asset landscape.

Yudhono Rawis, CEO and Founder of FLOQ, said the MoU reflects a shared intention to build on ASTER’s existing traction within the FLOQ ecosystem and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration. Since being listed on FLOQ in October 2025, ASTER has around 1,500 FLOQ users currently holding ASTER. The asset also ranks among the top 10 most-traded assets on the platform.

FLOQ currently supports ASTER through BNB Chain, while support for ASTER’s native chain is among the areas being evaluated to expand accessibility and liquidity. Aster is a decentralized trading platform led by CEO Leonard, offering both spot and perpetual trading products for on-chain users.

The platform emerged following the merger of Astherus, a yield-focused protocol, and APX Finance, a decentralized perpetual trading platform, bringing together the capabilities of both projects under the Aster brand. Aster is backed by YZi Labs, formerly known as Binance Labs, which includes Aster among its portfolio companies. The platform has been developed to serve both retail and more experienced traders, with multichain trading capabilities, advanced order functionality, privacy-focused infrastructure, and support for decentralized perpetual markets.

“The signing of this MoU reflects the traction we have already seen organically within the FLOQ ecosystem and our shared interest in exploring the next stage of the partnership. ASTER has demonstrated strong trading activity among our users, and we see an opportunity to take the collaboration further, from asset accessibility to potential product integration, network expansion, and community activation,” said Yudhono.

“Indonesia is an important market for the next phase of Web3 adoption, and we see strong potential in working with FLOQ to make ASTER’s products and ecosystem more accessible to users in the country. FLOQ brings strong local distribution, community reach, and a deep understanding of the Indonesian market, while ASTER brings its decentralized trading infrastructure and growing product ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we look forward to exploring new ways to connect Indonesian users with global Web3 products and opportunities,” said an ASTER spokesperson.

Bringing Flagship Products to the Table

One area under discussion is the possible introduction of the Aster Perpetual DEX within the FLOQ ecosystem. Both parties are also exploring whether ASTER could become an exclusive perpetual trading integration on the wallet side. However, the specific integration format, technical mechanisms, and launch timeline remain under discussion while also considering bourse and OJK approval.

Beyond product integration, the collaboration will also explore a referral program with revenue-sharing from transactions generated through the partnership, along with community activation efforts to introduce ASTER to Indonesia's crypto community.

ASTER is a decentralized exchange project offering perpetual contract trading products, with decentralized perpetual contracts positioned as one of its core offerings according to its official documentation. In simple terms, a perpetual DEX lets users trade perpetual contracts on chain, without the expiration dates found in traditional futures contracts. ASTER's capabilities in this space are a key strategic reason FLOQ is exploring deeper product integration.

Driving Broader Web3 Adoption

For FLOQ, the collaboration offers access to a user base of more than 1.8 million, with demonstrated ASTER trading activity. The partnership adds to FLOQ's existing collaborations with partners such as Tiket, Telkomsel, Blibli, and others. The combination of distribution channels, community reach, and understanding of Indonesia's market characteristics could help drive growth and broaden user access to ASTER's use cases.

For its part, ASTER brings its perpetual DEX, a decentralized trading platform that lets users trade directly from their wallets, along with liquidity, potential wallet-based product integration, and a referral and revenue-sharing structure that could be developed jointly. The partnership has the potential to bring globally developed Web3 products together with local market distribution and context in Indonesia.

ASTER has also developed Pre-IPO Perpetuals, a product offering exposure to private company valuations ahead of an IPO, such as its $SPCX contract tied to SpaceX. Trading volume for this type of real-world asset (RWA) product has grown significantly across various DEX platforms, signaling strong potential for introduction to the Indonesian market.

"For FLOQ, what matters is how Web3 technology and products developed globally can be made accessible to Indonesian users with an increasingly relevant experience. ASTER brings capability in the perpetual DEX space, while FLOQ brings distribution, community, and an understanding of the local market. This is the combination we want to explore so that the collaboration can create real value for users and help drive the growth of Indonesia's Web3 ecosystem," said Yudhono.

***

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency investment carries high risk, including potential losses from market price volatility. All information provided is general in nature and does not constitute an invitation, offer, advice, or investment recommendation. Consumers are encouraged to conduct thorough research and carefully consider investment decisions before transacting in crypto assets, and to trade according to their own risk profile and financial capacity, without using funds beyond their means. 

About FLOQ

FLOQ is a digital asset trading platform committed to delivering a secure, transparent, and accessible investment experience. With a focus on innovation, education, and regulatory compliance, FLOQ aims to support the growth of Indonesia's digital asset ecosystem. FLOQ has an active community of more than 250,000 followers across seven social media platforms, supported by more than 25,000 active community members. FLOQ is also committed to improving digital asset literacy through FLOQ Academy, available free of charge to users and the general public. FLOQ has recorded more than 1.8 million registered users and over 2 million app downloads. The platform supports more than 100 digital assets and continues to focus on ecosystem development and strategic partnerships to deliver real value to users in the digital economy era.

Mga Dabawenyo, Niyanig sa Kilig at Saya! Halos 2,000 Dumagsa sa Davao Whisky Park para kay Zeinab Harake Parks at Casino Plus!

 

DAVAO CITY, Pilipinas, 15 AGOSTO 2026 — Niyanig ng internet sensation at "Reyna ng Good Vibes" na si Zeinab Harake Parks ang Davao Whisky Park nitong Biyernes matapos dagsain ng halos 2,000 na sabik na fans para sa isang gabing punong-puno ng laro, hiyawan, at papremyo na handog ng Casino Plus, ang isa sa mga nangunguna at licensed responsible digital entertainment platforms ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) sa bansa.

Nakakabingi ang mga "Zebbies" na walang-humpay na sumisigaw ng “Arat na, Zeinab!” hanggang hatinggabi. Ito ang opisyal na unang pagpunta ng social media star sa tanyag na Kadayawan Festival at kanyang ikalawang pagbisita sa Durian Capital ng Pilipinas.

Bilang bahagi ng misyon ng Casino Plus na maghatid ng world-class na saya sa bawat sulok ng bansa, todo-hataw si Zeinab sa pag-aliw sa madla. Nakipag-group selfie ito mula sa entablado, kumuha ng on-the-spot TikTok videos kasama ang limang swerteng meet-and-greet winners, at emosyonal na nagpapasalamat sa init ng pagtanggap ng mga DavaoeƱo.

Ibinahagi rin ng sikat na influencer kung bakit solid ang pagmamahal niya sa Casino Plus:

“I get to explore every city sa Philippines. Ngayon, andito ako sa Davao. Looking forward pa ako sa ibang cities and provinces para sa Casino Plus event. Excited pa ako sa maraming-marami pang provinces,”  sabi ni Zeinab.

Hindi lang si Zeinab ang nagdala ng saya sa gabi dahil pinagkaguluhan din ng mga festivalgoers ang Hantak-themed games. Bukod sa libreng refreshments at pagrampa ng mga sikat na content creators, niyanig din ang venue ng mga hourly raffle draws kung saan ipinamahagi ang mga high-tech prizes tulad ng AirPods 4, JBL speakers, at iPad.

Lalo pang nag-init ang entablado nang magpatawag si Zeinab ng isang viral TikTok dance-off. Dito ay nag-uwi ng tumataginting na ₱10,000 cash prize mula sa Casino Plus ang mga mapapalad na nanalo, habang hindi naman umuwing luhaan ang iba dahil namigay rin ang influencer ng consolation prize.

Humanga naman si Zeinab sa ipinakitang diskarte at bayanihan ng mga contestants na nagtutulungan pa para maalala ang dance steps — isang patunay na ang Davao City ay isa sa pinaka-friendly na lungsod sa buong Pilipinas.

“Ang galing nila, hindi sila nate-threaten! Kahit magkalaban sila, nag-agree,” sabi ni Harake Parks, matapos kumpirmahin ng ka na naperpekto ng kalaban ang dance routine.

Para sa libo-libong dumalo, ang gabi na ito ang pinakatampok na bahagi ng kanilang Kadayawan celebration. Ang mag-irog na sina Anthony at Zara ay lumipad pa mismo mula sa Maynila makita lang nang malapitan ang kanilang idolo.

“Masaya! Sobrang saya. Pati ‘yung mga booths, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga games, ang ganda. Siya rin ‘yung reason bakit kami nandito,” ani Anthony. “Enjoy dito kasi napakaraming prizes!” dagdag naman ni Zara.

Maging ang ilang foreigner ay hindi nagpahuli sa gulo ng saya! Isa na rito si Yuri, isang Russian expatriate na naninirahan sa Davao na sumubok sa mga palaro at nanalo rin ng papremyo. “I really enjoyed it!” masayang giit niya.

Ang matagumpay na Kadayawan activation na ito ng Casino Plus ay buhay na patunay kung paano kayang pagbuklurin ang tradisyunal na kulturang Pilipino at ang makabagong digital entertainment sa iisang naglalagablab na entablado — upang lumikha ng mga makabuluhang karanasan para sa mga fans, komunidad, at buong sambayanang Pilipino.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means. 

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

 

About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.

Casino Plus is a PAGCOR-licensed online casino platform in the Philippines, providing secure, regulated, and responsible online gaming experiences for Filipino players. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.

 

 

 


Test Automation Innovation Summit | Manila, Philippines

## Test Automation Innovation Summit 2026 | Manila **Test Automation Innovation Summit 2026**, organised by **Leadsspire**, is a focused lea...