I am a big Filipino movie fan. I am proud to say that I support the Philippine movie industry from time to time, if I deem that the movie is a good one. Though I missed some good Pinoy movies (or so they say) like Feng Shui, I will muster all needed resources just to watch them. Also, I am proud to say that I am a big supporter of the Metro Manila Film Festival. I watch an average of 3 movies per festival.
Just yesterday, my friends and I watched Mano Po 3, the final sequel to the Mother Lily’s Chinese family drama series, though the three aren’t really connected. Initially, I had reservations in watching the film because first and foremost, I am not enthusiastic about Chinese culture, in fact I sort of hate some of their traditions (e.g. fixed marriage). Second, I haven’t watched Mano Po 2. But since it is was a fact that the three Mano Pos are not connected by plot, I relented. I just couldn’t belive I paid 136 bucks for a movie I don’t like much. Well, it’s the Christmas season anyway. And I have to support the Philippine movie industry.
Okey… any one of you who wishes to watch the movie, don’t read this paragraph. Mano Po 3 is about a Chinese businesswoman-turned-anti-crime-czar Lilia Chong-Yang (Vilma Santos) who renewed her love for her past boyfriend Michael Lim (Christopher de Leon) after seeing him once again in a business trip in Thailand. Michael Lim left the country after being arrested by Metrocom agents in a checkpoint during Martial Law period. Because of this, Lilia lost her one true love, thus finally ending up with their close friend, Paul Yang (Jay Manalo). Now, in the 25th wedding anniversary of Paul and Lilia, Michael will try to settle things once and for all, and shall try to regain his lost love for Lilia. Well, for the benefit of readers who still want to watch it, I shall stop here…
As what I always say when asked if it was a good movie, “if it weren’t for Vilma Santos and Boyet de Leon, Mano Po 3 would have been a flop.” There was really nothing new in the story. Tons of other Pinoy and Foreign movies talked about love triangle and this was not new. I have predicted the climax at the very start of the movie. The only thing I predicted wrong was the ending, where Vilma Santos ended up with no one except her family.
The only thing that could have saved the movie was to show some bits and pieces of Chinese culture. Actually, that was the main purpose of the sequel: to promote appreciation over our Chinese brothers and sisters by demonstrating traces of their culture. However, the movie failed to show even a single bit of Chinese culture in the movie. Except of course for the scene where Lilia was given away to a traveling family just to avoid being thrown to an orphanage. The movie showed how patriarchal Chinese culture was, how they deliberately degrade women, even their own kind. But aside from that, there was no other trace of Chinese culture that, apparently, they were very proud of.
One other thing I didn’t like with the Mano Po series is the casting. We all know that the three Mano Pos are not interconnected, though 2we see the same actors and actresses in the movie. This somehow confuses the moviegoers, especially if he/she watched all three. For example, Jay Manalo played in all three Mano Pos, and coincidentally, he died in both Mano Po 1 and 3. Eddie Garcia and Boots Anson-Roa played husband and wife in Mano Po 1, and played “balaes” in Mano Po 3. However, since I watched Mano Po 1 and the first scene showede Eddie Garcia and Boots Anson-Roa together, it gave me the impression that they still played husband and wife.
As I have said earlier, Boyet de Leon and Vilma Santos saved the movie. With their heartfelt emotions that showed not through the length of their dialogues but through the emotions of their eyes really compelled me to say that I liked the movie. From the way they looked at each other, they have shown the audience their inner emotions, and no dialogue was necessary. There were many silent scenes in that movie that showed the two of them, and I am proud to say that I liked most of them. The director seemed to have realized their true talents.
Mano Po 3 may not be a masterpiece, but I think it is healthy for a Filipino to watch Pinoy films from time to time just to enrich his psyche with Filipino movie culture. Others may call it Jologs, Bakya or Baduy, I call Pinoy Pop Culture. Whether we like it or not, it is in our system. So we might as well appreciate it. After all, it is not at all that bad.
I am also planning to watch Enteng Kabisote, Panaghoy sa Suba, Aishite Imasu, and Sigaw...
Trivia trivia
Did you know: Apo Hiking Society’s original name was Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Near Christmas
I would like to greet all the readers of my blog a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Five days to go before Christmas 2004. One can see how fats time flies.
I remember the days when I was very eager as the clocks ticks towards Christmas day. I could imagine how much money, toys, clothes, or food I will receive come Christmas time. Exciting!!!
Now, it is so much different. Enthusiasm level is a bit lower than before. Now, I don’t anticipate gifts, but instead expect expenses here and there. This is what you get after receiving tons of gifts in childhood.
In this time for crisis, it is quite difficult to celebrate Christmas fully, especially when we get used to grandiose celebrations the past years. And it is also sad to note that some of the people I am celebrating my Christmas with have left for the States. But like what they always say, you can’t stop Christmas.
We already have our Christmas planned. Too bad, I am celebrating the Christmas weekend away from my lady because she’s leaving for Agoo Tuesday night, December 21. Though it seems difficult due to the reasons I have mentioned above, I will try my best to celebrate Christmas. After all, it’s Kuya Jess’ birthday.
Haven’t bought a single gift for my inaanaks… What an irresponsible Ninong. As far as I can recall, I have 6 inaanaks. Dami na pala!!! I promised myself I’d buy them before December 23.
Trivia trivia
Did you know: Kitchie Nadal auditioned for the band Hungry Young Poets (HYP) after its lead singer, Barbie Almalbis, left the group. HYP afterwards changed its name into Mojofly.
Five days to go before Christmas 2004. One can see how fats time flies.
I remember the days when I was very eager as the clocks ticks towards Christmas day. I could imagine how much money, toys, clothes, or food I will receive come Christmas time. Exciting!!!
Now, it is so much different. Enthusiasm level is a bit lower than before. Now, I don’t anticipate gifts, but instead expect expenses here and there. This is what you get after receiving tons of gifts in childhood.
In this time for crisis, it is quite difficult to celebrate Christmas fully, especially when we get used to grandiose celebrations the past years. And it is also sad to note that some of the people I am celebrating my Christmas with have left for the States. But like what they always say, you can’t stop Christmas.
We already have our Christmas planned. Too bad, I am celebrating the Christmas weekend away from my lady because she’s leaving for Agoo Tuesday night, December 21. Though it seems difficult due to the reasons I have mentioned above, I will try my best to celebrate Christmas. After all, it’s Kuya Jess’ birthday.
Haven’t bought a single gift for my inaanaks… What an irresponsible Ninong. As far as I can recall, I have 6 inaanaks. Dami na pala!!! I promised myself I’d buy them before December 23.
Trivia trivia
Did you know: Kitchie Nadal auditioned for the band Hungry Young Poets (HYP) after its lead singer, Barbie Almalbis, left the group. HYP afterwards changed its name into Mojofly.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Celebration?! Just Promotion...
Last December 10, I was officially promoted to Presidential Staff Officer II. A lot of my friends asked for a blow-out. Blow-out? Should we celebrate a 1,300-buck salary increase with an additional ton of workload?
Many of us look at promotion as a mere reward for performance. We should not believe so. Promotion is not a reward, but a responsibility. It is transforming potential into kinetic energy in terms of productivity in work. In short, the boss feels that you need more work, thus, he/she promotes you.
Surely, it is not a reward. For us employees, a reward is something like an additional compensation for our valued work (e.g. CNA, Cash gift, PIB) without adding more work to the person. A reward is given WITHOUT anything asked in return. As for promotion, he boss gives you a promotion knowing that you will do your duties and responsibilities more efficiently.
In short, we should not celebrate fully after a promotion. Alongside an increased power and compensation, come greater duties and responsibilities. However, I’m not saying we should not celebrate promotion at all. What I’m saying is that a promotion is not a gift, but a duty.
I may be saying this just to give justification to my refusal for a blow-out. At least, it is a valid excuse… hehehehe…
I hope I’m still making sense… I think the Christmas season is slowing my thinking process. Hehehe
Less than ten days before Christmas. Sana lumabas na ang CNA…
Fernando Poe Jr. shall forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of Filipinos all over as the one and only King of Philippine Cinema. May you rest in peace, FPJ.
Trivia trivia
Did you know: The late Fernando Poe Jr. is not the real Fernando Poe Jr.? His real name is Ronald Allan Kelley Poe and the real FPJ is his brother, the late Andy Poe.
Many of us look at promotion as a mere reward for performance. We should not believe so. Promotion is not a reward, but a responsibility. It is transforming potential into kinetic energy in terms of productivity in work. In short, the boss feels that you need more work, thus, he/she promotes you.
Surely, it is not a reward. For us employees, a reward is something like an additional compensation for our valued work (e.g. CNA, Cash gift, PIB) without adding more work to the person. A reward is given WITHOUT anything asked in return. As for promotion, he boss gives you a promotion knowing that you will do your duties and responsibilities more efficiently.
In short, we should not celebrate fully after a promotion. Alongside an increased power and compensation, come greater duties and responsibilities. However, I’m not saying we should not celebrate promotion at all. What I’m saying is that a promotion is not a gift, but a duty.
I may be saying this just to give justification to my refusal for a blow-out. At least, it is a valid excuse… hehehehe…
I hope I’m still making sense… I think the Christmas season is slowing my thinking process. Hehehe
Less than ten days before Christmas. Sana lumabas na ang CNA…
Fernando Poe Jr. shall forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of Filipinos all over as the one and only King of Philippine Cinema. May you rest in peace, FPJ.
Trivia trivia
Did you know: The late Fernando Poe Jr. is not the real Fernando Poe Jr.? His real name is Ronald Allan Kelley Poe and the real FPJ is his brother, the late Andy Poe.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Conflict of Schedule
Today is our office’s team building… We shall hold it in Biniktikan, Subic, Olongapo City… They said it’s a cool place, however, the beach is 10-15 minutes drive from the place.
Somehow, I am not quite in a traveling mood, and I am not so enthusiastic with this trip. I’m an outdoor person, indeed, but I think this trip is sort of out of timing. A lot of things should have been done aside from going to Subic. Let me list some:
a. I should be out shopping. It’s less than 20 days before Christmas and I have not yet shopped for gift for my 6 godchildren, my lady, my parents, and other relatives…
b. My lady is supposed to visit the doctor tomorrow, Saturday…
c. I am supposed to have my blood chemistry checked…
d. I am supposed to meet my lady’s cousin from the States for the very first time…
e. I am supposed to go with my mother and help her with her own Christmas shopping…
f. Our Ateneo Basketball Team 4F98 (yes, finally, Team 4F98 is re-formed) is supposed to practice this weekend…
g. I have to shop for bagoong (shrimp paste) this weekend because the demand is increasing (yes, people buy shrimp paste from me… Orders, anyone? Just message me in the tag board)…
h. I am supposed to take Buddy, my red Toyota Corolla XL 1991, to the auto shop. He is scheduled for a tune-up/change oil.
That and many other things…
And one other thing… I was also planning to decorate my room fit for the holidays… I was supposed to buy Styrofoam to make it look like I have snow in my room…
Another reason for my non-enthusiasm towards the team building activity is (I know this is quite a bit mushy, but here goes...) because my lady isn't coming... It seems that I can't seem to enjoy myself that much anymore when my lady is not with me. We both love the beach so much... the warm waters, the soothing sound of the waves crashing into the sand, the coconut trees swaying with the wind, the sound of vultures waiting for us to drown (no, not that morbid part...)... in short, we loved everything about the beach. And knowing this, I think about her everytime I go to the beach... Awwwwwww... I hate this...
Oh well. Since this is a required activity, I have no other choice but to go to the teambuilding. I just hope this is a fun-filled, productive, eventful activity. Para sulit…
I'm just thinking that the bond among us teammates will be strengthened after this activity... Good luck to team MPO... hurrah!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia, trivia
Did you know: Tessie Tomas first worked in advertising before entering showbusiness.
Somehow, I am not quite in a traveling mood, and I am not so enthusiastic with this trip. I’m an outdoor person, indeed, but I think this trip is sort of out of timing. A lot of things should have been done aside from going to Subic. Let me list some:
a. I should be out shopping. It’s less than 20 days before Christmas and I have not yet shopped for gift for my 6 godchildren, my lady, my parents, and other relatives…
b. My lady is supposed to visit the doctor tomorrow, Saturday…
c. I am supposed to have my blood chemistry checked…
d. I am supposed to meet my lady’s cousin from the States for the very first time…
e. I am supposed to go with my mother and help her with her own Christmas shopping…
f. Our Ateneo Basketball Team 4F98 (yes, finally, Team 4F98 is re-formed) is supposed to practice this weekend…
g. I have to shop for bagoong (shrimp paste) this weekend because the demand is increasing (yes, people buy shrimp paste from me… Orders, anyone? Just message me in the tag board)…
h. I am supposed to take Buddy, my red Toyota Corolla XL 1991, to the auto shop. He is scheduled for a tune-up/change oil.
That and many other things…
And one other thing… I was also planning to decorate my room fit for the holidays… I was supposed to buy Styrofoam to make it look like I have snow in my room…
Another reason for my non-enthusiasm towards the team building activity is (I know this is quite a bit mushy, but here goes...) because my lady isn't coming... It seems that I can't seem to enjoy myself that much anymore when my lady is not with me. We both love the beach so much... the warm waters, the soothing sound of the waves crashing into the sand, the coconut trees swaying with the wind, the sound of vultures waiting for us to drown (no, not that morbid part...)... in short, we loved everything about the beach. And knowing this, I think about her everytime I go to the beach... Awwwwwww... I hate this...
Oh well. Since this is a required activity, I have no other choice but to go to the teambuilding. I just hope this is a fun-filled, productive, eventful activity. Para sulit…
I'm just thinking that the bond among us teammates will be strengthened after this activity... Good luck to team MPO... hurrah!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia, trivia
Did you know: Tessie Tomas first worked in advertising before entering showbusiness.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Sunday Morning...
Couldn't take this song off my head... Ayos talaga to...
Eh wala pa kong masulat... kaya eto muna... hehehe
Sunday Morning
Maroon Five
Sunday morning rain is falling
Steal some covers share some skin
Clouds are shrouding us in moments unforgettable
You twist to fit the mold that I am in
But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do
And I would gladly hit the road get up and go if I knew
That someday it would bring me back to you
That someday it would bring me back to you
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow on sunday morning
And I never want to leave
Fingers trace your every outline
Paint a picture with my hands
Back and forth we sway like branches in a storm
Change the weather still together when it ends
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow on sunday morning
And I never want to leave
But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do
Sunday morning rain is falling and I’m calling out to you
Singing someday it’ll bring me back to you
Find a way to bring myself home to you
And you may not know
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia trivia
Did you know: For HIm Magazine (FHM) former Editor-in-Chief Eric Ramos used to write and edit for the Manila Times' Lifestyle Section.
Eh wala pa kong masulat... kaya eto muna... hehehe
Sunday Morning
Maroon Five
Sunday morning rain is falling
Steal some covers share some skin
Clouds are shrouding us in moments unforgettable
You twist to fit the mold that I am in
But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do
And I would gladly hit the road get up and go if I knew
That someday it would bring me back to you
That someday it would bring me back to you
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow on sunday morning
And I never want to leave
Fingers trace your every outline
Paint a picture with my hands
Back and forth we sway like branches in a storm
Change the weather still together when it ends
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow on sunday morning
And I never want to leave
But things just get so crazy living life gets hard to do
Sunday morning rain is falling and I’m calling out to you
Singing someday it’ll bring me back to you
Find a way to bring myself home to you
And you may not know
That may be all I need
In darkness she is all I see
Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia trivia
Did you know: For HIm Magazine (FHM) former Editor-in-Chief Eric Ramos used to write and edit for the Manila Times' Lifestyle Section.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Some incoherent random caricatures of the mind
I hate it when there's no work... Can't seem to stay at home...
I'm right here in an internet cafe... It's been a while since I've done this...
Just watched the extended version of the Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers... Until now, I'm still overwhelmed with what technology can do to movies like these. Still can't belive my eyes. When will Richard Gutierrez's Mulawin or Juday's Krystala be able to have enhanced images and computer-generated graphics like these? I think our movie industry ought to invest in these technology.
In the most recent study of Newsweek, we ranked tenth in terms of Movie Power all over the world. If we don't make up for the demands of techonology and creativity of the present, we will soon be delisted... Sayang naman...
Oh well... Obviously I have nothing brilliant to write about. Just useless banter and some ranting...
Slept well last night... Though there were no lights. Thanks to Yoyong, temperature was quite pleasant.
Pero iniisip ko pa rin ang mga kaawa-awa nating mga kapatid na nasalanta at masasalanta ng bagyong Yoyong... Patuloy pa rin natin silang ipagdasal... Sa kasalukuyan, kulang 500 na ang pinapatay ng mga bagyo... Sana ay wala nang dumating pa ngayong taon...
Eto na muna... Mahirap talagang mastuck sa bahay ng matagal... nakakaisip gumastos para mag-internet...
I shall be watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind later... Reviews from anyone?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia trivia:
Did you know: Joseph Estrade was not the first actor who ran for President. It was the 50's sensation Rogelio de la Rosa.
I'm right here in an internet cafe... It's been a while since I've done this...
Just watched the extended version of the Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers... Until now, I'm still overwhelmed with what technology can do to movies like these. Still can't belive my eyes. When will Richard Gutierrez's Mulawin or Juday's Krystala be able to have enhanced images and computer-generated graphics like these? I think our movie industry ought to invest in these technology.
In the most recent study of Newsweek, we ranked tenth in terms of Movie Power all over the world. If we don't make up for the demands of techonology and creativity of the present, we will soon be delisted... Sayang naman...
Oh well... Obviously I have nothing brilliant to write about. Just useless banter and some ranting...
Slept well last night... Though there were no lights. Thanks to Yoyong, temperature was quite pleasant.
Pero iniisip ko pa rin ang mga kaawa-awa nating mga kapatid na nasalanta at masasalanta ng bagyong Yoyong... Patuloy pa rin natin silang ipagdasal... Sa kasalukuyan, kulang 500 na ang pinapatay ng mga bagyo... Sana ay wala nang dumating pa ngayong taon...
Eto na muna... Mahirap talagang mastuck sa bahay ng matagal... nakakaisip gumastos para mag-internet...
I shall be watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind later... Reviews from anyone?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia trivia:
Did you know: Joseph Estrade was not the first actor who ran for President. It was the 50's sensation Rogelio de la Rosa.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
When it rains, it pours
Half day kami ngayon... Ayos...
Sa aming mga empleyado, ang half-day o work suspension ay isang pagdiriwang upang kahit isang maulang araw, makapagpahinga kami sa nakakabagot at nakakapagod na trabaho. Ito ang nagsisilbing bakasyon namin na hindi nagagalaw ang aming leave credits. Kaya masaya...
Iniisip ko lang... At dahil diyan, nakokonsiyensya akong magdiwang ng lubusan sa pagdedeklara ng half day. Dahil sa mga kapatid natin sa parteng Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Mindoro, at Bicol, ang pagdedeklara sa Maynila ng walang pasok ay signos na tuluyan pa silang palulubugin ng buhawi at bagyo. It simply means there is a bigger destruction at hand. Nakakaawa talaga ang mga tao sa mga lugar na ito. Sa kasalukuyan, lagpas 400 na ang namamatay. Harinawa'y magmilagro na lamang at lumihis ang bagyo upang hindi na magdulot ng mas malalaki pang pinsala. Magpapasko pa naman...
Abut-abot talaga ang kamalasan nitong huling mga buwan ng taon. Noong una, natatakot ang ating mga magsasaka dahil sa may mga balitang magkakaroon ng El Niño sa mga darating na buwan na aabot sa buwan ng Hunyo ng susunod na taon. Bigla namang bumaligtad ang tadhana, at nagkasunud-sunod naman ang mga bagyo. Inumpisahan ni Unding, ang bagyong dumukot sa libu-libong mga bubong ng mga kabahayan sa Roxas, Mindoro at kumitil sa buhay ng daan-daang residente. Sumunod naman ang bagyong Violeta at Winnie na nagdulot ng biglaang pagbaha sa parteng Nueva Ecija at Aurora. Nakalbo na raw kasi ang ilang parte ng Siera Madre kaya wala nang mga punong sasalo ng tubig ulan. Kaya't ayun. nagbagsakan lahat sa mga ilog... Kabilang dito ang Marikina River. Kaya ngayon, lubog sila sa tubig... At eto na naman... parating na ang bagyong "Yoyong." Kaya kami half-day.
Sana naman ay hindi na ito lumakas...
----------------------------------------------------------------
Happy thoughts naman:
23 days to go before Christmas... Still no decorations in our office...
Out office Teambuilding is fast approaching. May venue na... sa Biniktikan daw sa loob ng Subic.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia trivia:
Did you know: Former singer and member of Ryan Cayabyab's Smokey Mountain Tony Lambino is studying pre-divinity in the Ateneo... This means that he's rooting to be a full-blown Jesuit priest someday.
Sa aming mga empleyado, ang half-day o work suspension ay isang pagdiriwang upang kahit isang maulang araw, makapagpahinga kami sa nakakabagot at nakakapagod na trabaho. Ito ang nagsisilbing bakasyon namin na hindi nagagalaw ang aming leave credits. Kaya masaya...
Iniisip ko lang... At dahil diyan, nakokonsiyensya akong magdiwang ng lubusan sa pagdedeklara ng half day. Dahil sa mga kapatid natin sa parteng Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Mindoro, at Bicol, ang pagdedeklara sa Maynila ng walang pasok ay signos na tuluyan pa silang palulubugin ng buhawi at bagyo. It simply means there is a bigger destruction at hand. Nakakaawa talaga ang mga tao sa mga lugar na ito. Sa kasalukuyan, lagpas 400 na ang namamatay. Harinawa'y magmilagro na lamang at lumihis ang bagyo upang hindi na magdulot ng mas malalaki pang pinsala. Magpapasko pa naman...
Abut-abot talaga ang kamalasan nitong huling mga buwan ng taon. Noong una, natatakot ang ating mga magsasaka dahil sa may mga balitang magkakaroon ng El Niño sa mga darating na buwan na aabot sa buwan ng Hunyo ng susunod na taon. Bigla namang bumaligtad ang tadhana, at nagkasunud-sunod naman ang mga bagyo. Inumpisahan ni Unding, ang bagyong dumukot sa libu-libong mga bubong ng mga kabahayan sa Roxas, Mindoro at kumitil sa buhay ng daan-daang residente. Sumunod naman ang bagyong Violeta at Winnie na nagdulot ng biglaang pagbaha sa parteng Nueva Ecija at Aurora. Nakalbo na raw kasi ang ilang parte ng Siera Madre kaya wala nang mga punong sasalo ng tubig ulan. Kaya't ayun. nagbagsakan lahat sa mga ilog... Kabilang dito ang Marikina River. Kaya ngayon, lubog sila sa tubig... At eto na naman... parating na ang bagyong "Yoyong." Kaya kami half-day.
Sana naman ay hindi na ito lumakas...
----------------------------------------------------------------
Happy thoughts naman:
23 days to go before Christmas... Still no decorations in our office...
Out office Teambuilding is fast approaching. May venue na... sa Biniktikan daw sa loob ng Subic.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Trivia trivia:
Did you know: Former singer and member of Ryan Cayabyab's Smokey Mountain Tony Lambino is studying pre-divinity in the Ateneo... This means that he's rooting to be a full-blown Jesuit priest someday.
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