Author: Rochelle Sy Chua

Roch Finally Got Baptized

Roch Finally Got Baptized

According to my favorite dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Baptism is a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community and it’s also defined as an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named.

When I was an infant, I was already baptized.  It was a tradition that most people follow.  But what happened next?

I rarely prayed.  In fact, I lived most of my life as an agnostic.  I was even an atheist at one time, but when I did pray, it was always to wish that my life would end.

I saw life as suffering.  I lived a hard life.  I focused on my struggles and challenges in life.  Self-pity became a habit.  I rarely felt loved because whenever I achieved something good, I don’t have anyone to share it with.  I was alone physically, emotionally and mentally.

As you can see, my mind’s been filled with thoughts of sorrow and negativity.  It continued when I grew up, though of course I got happy sometimes.  Like for example when I got to buy my favorite gadget. But the feeling of happiness was temporary.

I lived life one day at a time.

When I faced extreme challenges last 2004, I tried to get to know the Lord.  I joined an organization that I ended up judging as a social community rather than a family of Christians.  I left that fellowship and ended up being an atheist for a few months after that.  I’ve been invited to several more ‘Christian’ gatherings, but I always turn them down.

Fast forward to last year, I faced another difficult chapter in my life.  I don’t know what got through me but I learned to open my heart to Christianity again.  When I had lunch with friends, they asked me if I could join their Bible study.  I said yes.  Things that transpired after that were wonderful.  I attended the Bible studies week after week.  I met people who I can feel genuinely loves the Lord.  It changed my outlook on Christian organizations.  For the first time, I felt that there’s a group who’s there to serve the Lord, meeting friends are just a bonus, it didn’t feel like a social organization.  For me, this group was a gathering of true Christians.  I can feel the goodness of their hearts.  I felt welcomed.  I felt that I can grow spiritually through their guidance.  I felt the Lord in them.  The impact was great, far greater than what I expected.

My impression of Christians really changed.

I started opening up. For the first time, I felt… hope.  I maybe working on my spiritual life. I maybe changing my outlook in life.  In one of the Bible study sessions that I attended, I witnessed a baptism ceremony.  It was a declaration that they are abandoining their old lives and they are embracing life with the Lord. THey asked if I would like to join them.  At the time, I wasn’t simply ready. I felt too much of a sinner. I said to myself that I’ll finish reading the Bible and be a better person before I go that route.

Last December, I got sick. I got admitted to the hospital for a week. I hated it. I NEVER ever want to be confined in a hospital. I know I don’t have a family here. I was already expecting a miserable life in the hospital. I may have some friends who would visit me, but I’m sure it’ll be a one day thing. I would be facing weird looks and facial expressions from hospital staff wondering why a person like me don’t have a family to take care of me.

But I wasn’t alone!!!  I may not have a caring biological family, except for my female cousin who I care for deeply, but I have a family in Christ.  Everyday, I get visitors who brought me food, having fellowship with me, reading Bible verses for me and sending me love and care.  It was overwhelming, and I was truly humbled!  I then realized that God is with us.  We may not see Him but we certainly feel him.

As I laid down the hospital bed, I decided on several things.

I came to also realize that I’ll never be perfect.  There will never come a time that I can say that I’m completely a good person.  We are all sinners.  We don’t follow the commandments everyday.  Thou shall not lie right?  But we always utter white lies in order to prevent conflict.  Thou shall love your neighbors right?  But every single day, we judge people and we criticize them (consciously or not).

I finally understood what the saints (that’s what we call the people in our church) have been telling me — that Jesus Christ saved us from all of our sins.  All we need to do now is just accept Him in our lives.

I started reading the Bible…  Everyday I would send what I learned to my ‘family’ via e-mail.  One day, I told one of the sisters that I want to be baptized.  She was so happy that she broke the news to everyone!  They prepared the event on Chinese New Year (January 23, 2012).  Incidentally, my mom was here on vacation so I asked her to come along.

The night started with our usual Bible study.  We read the verses for study. We shared each other’s understanding of them, and when we closed the Bible study session, we prayed.

I requested for my baptism to commence after the Bible study.  We all went up the 2nd floor where the bathtub is located.  That tub would be the place where I’d get baptized.  I was excited!  I couldn’t wait to exclaim and announce to the world that I’ve accepted the Lord in my life! 😀

We all prayed first…

prayer before Roch Baptism

Then brother Frank explained to me how the baptism would go… I was really happy!  I couldn’t wait for my new life to begin!

Roch Baptism

I asked friends to capture the moment for me.  I knew it was really important and I really really wanted to record this very crucial moment in my life :):):)

I’m now a true blue Christian.  I’m still not perfect.  I missed several weeks of my personal Bible study and I still feel like a sinner.  However, I know that it’s okay because I have God with me.  I continue to seek Him as I try to live this world through the words in the Bible.  I’m still the same person but I have a certain feeling of peace.  I’m not alone anymore…

Roch Friends at Baptism

I leave you with thoughts about Baptism from my sisters and brothers in Christ.

  • Baptism is saying, “I do!” to our Lord Jesus Christ, an outward affirmation of our inward acceptance of Him.” – sis Luc
  • Baptism is a declaration that you now belong to Jesus Christ!” – sis Jo
  • Being baptized was about accepting God for everything He is and everything He has done.  By accepting is allowing Him to deal with all of my sins, transforming me into man in Christ, a living testimony of Grace.” – bro Mike
  • Just like marriage is an outward confirmation of the love of 2 people, baptism is an outward confirmation to accompany the inward reality that you accept and now belong to the Lord Jesus” – sis Meng
  • Baptism is not a requirement for you to become a member of a group or religion.  Baptism is a declaration to the whole world, even to Satan that you now belong to God.” – sis Debbie
  • Baptism is the end of old life, and beginning of newness in life with God.  Doing everything and living with Him.” – sis Ane
  • Baptism means my old person has died and been buried with Christ, and I’m raised together with Him as a new person in new creation.” – bro Joseph
  • It is a transfer from the kingdom of satan into the kingdom of God.” – sis Shilo
  • It is the leaving of the old creation in the water, and rising up a new man.  Also affirming to God and men that you accept the Lord as your savior.” – bro Mark

Roch Signature

Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge

Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge

It took me two visits to the newly opened bar in Fort Bonifaco before I finally wrote about Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge.  In all honesty, I rarely go to bars.  I always have this impression that bars are places where alcohol-drinking buddies hang out.  I don’t drink alcohol and I usually just hang out with 1-2 friends at a time.  It’s a good thing that I was invited to Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge’s Media launch.  It changed my outlook on bars.  I will now stop dismissing bars as I almost missed having a chance to take some super delicious and unique food in a bar like Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge.

As I entered Relik, I noticed how vintage it looked.  I then realized that the name Relik actually came from the word, relic, which means ancient object.  That pretty much explains why Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge has an old radio, typewriter, old DJ booth and some other really old stuff all over the restaurant.

Relik Ambiance

Relik artifacts

In spite of the mismatching chairs and the combination of old objects from different origins, Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge looked so cozy and homey.  The different artifacts blended perfectly with each other.  I’m sure every single customer would feel so relaxed and at home when dining at Relik.

Relik Couch

Relik is still new.  However, they already caught the hearts of many.  Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge has been booked for private functions, birthday parties, corporate functions and the like.  And now that they are official launched, I’m sure more and more people will discover Relik.  I, myself, will be going for lunch there tomorrow to try out their lunch sets.  Apparently, Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge serves lunch sets too so I’ll try it out tomorrow.  I’ll then write a separate post so you can have an idea too 😉

For this writeup, I’ll be sharing the different menu items I tried out during my two visits to Relik.  The first time I was there, I sat at the dining area and on my second visit, I dined inside the VIP area.  Both experiences were great especially because the food was such a delight to feast upon.

Relik Launch

Relik Group Shot

During the media launch, Chef Benjo Tuason shared with us how he gave up his life in Melbourne, Australia just to be able to bring us Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge.  One day, his friends called him up and shared their plans about opening Relik.  Chef Tuason packed his bags, sold his properties in Australia and migrated back to the Philippines.  I also heard that Chef Tuason is a hard worker.  He goes to Relik early in the morning and leaves the bar at 4AM!!!  Wow!  Dedication in the truest sense!

Relik Chef

The chef described their signature dishes as ‘modern tapas’.  Relik serves Spanish food and also other comfort food which Chef Benjo Tuason said he cooked with a lot of love.  Naks naman!  I can see that the chef is a romantic!

  • Roasted Pumpkin Soup (Php 150)

Relik Soup

My seat mates were raving about the Roasted pumpkin soup with creme fraiche.  I guess the creaminess and the flavor of the soup worked for them.  I’m not much of a pumpkin lover but I finished the bowl served to me.  It was a nice starter for a sumptuous meal.

  • Tasting Board (Php 490)

Relik Jamon Platter

Next up was Relik’s Tasting Board that consists of Boneless “Diego Martin”. Chorizo Pamplona “Casedemont”, Stuffed “Serpis” Spanish olives and Manchego 6 months “Artequeso”.  It’s basically a selection of jamons, cured meats (imported from Spain!), olives, and Manchego cheeses (from Davao).   Eat it with crostini and you got yourselves a divine appetizer.  Yum!

  • Baked Australian Brie (Php 530)

Relik Brie

The Australian specialty, Baked Australian Brie, must be my favorite among all the Relik’s dishes I tried so far.  You might not recognize what it is at first but upon tasting it, you would know that it’s Creamy Yarra Valley Brie wrapped in jamon serrano and lightly glazed with honey.  The taste of the brie is truly divine!  In fact, during my second visit, I was raving and introducing the dish to my seat mates.  You must eat the brie with the salsa and the crostini for a good contrast.

  • Gambas with a Kick (Php 290)

Relik Gambas

I super love gambas!  However shrimps are cooked, I’ll definitely appreciate as shrimps is one of my two ultimate favorite food items!  Relik made their gambas quite unique by cooking it with extra garlic, hot paprika and 2 kinds of chili.  Another winner dish!  I was totally sold with the dish!

  • Quesadillas (Php 300)

Relik Quesadillas

If there’s one appetizer that you’ll see in every Relik customers’ table, it has got to be their quesadillas.  You can choose to have either garlic shrimp, pulled pork and BBQ chicken as filling.  The filling are put together with melted cheese and wrapped in triangular tortilla wraps.  Sauces like guacamole and tomato salsa are served for dipping.

  • Chorizig (Php 295)

Relik Chorizo Sisig

We are all used to pork sisig.  Some restaurants have made their own version of sisig by changing the ingredient to either chicken or fish.  For Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge, they have chosen chorizo!  This was unforgettable!  I just love the crispiness of the chorizo and I appreciate that the chef chosen to cut it into bits.

  • Mussels & Chorizo (Php 330)

Relik Tahong

New Zealand green mussels sautéed in garlic cream and Spanish chorizo.  Truly enticing!

  • Lengua Bourguignon (Php 510)

Relik Lengua

We might be enjoying Lengua in Relik Tapas Bar but we have to know the effort put into cooking this savory dish.  The chef actually slow-cooked the cow’s tongue in red wine, demi-glace, mire poix and lardoons.

Every bite of the lengua was heavenly.  It was tender, flavorful and so good!  A delicious dish indeed!

  • Relik’s Mixed Paella (Php 820)

Relik Paella

Animetric’s husband who sat with us at the same table during my second visit was commending this dish.  He kept saying that this was how Paella should be made.  In fact, he couldn’t stop raving.  I’m not a paella expert.  For me, as long as the food is tasty, I’m already satisfied.  Some people have fetish on some food and I knew then, after hearing the comments from my table mates, Relik was successful.  I guess the chef knew his Paella recipe by heart.  Relik’s mixed paella will pass as most foodies’ Spanish comfort dish.

You have to place your order a day in advance though.  One order of mixed paella can serve 8-10 people.

  • Benny’s Certified Angus Rib-eye (Php 1,150)

Relik Rib Eye Steak

Mouth-watering is Relik’s rib-eye steak!  It’s 300g honest to goodness Angus steak served with a burnt butter sauce.  I had to ask for it to be cooked well-done as I’m afraid of anything red in the meat hahaha!  I would suggest this dish be shared as the meat was too big for one person to finish.  You don’t need any more sauce to go with it because it’s already tasty as it is.  Even the fries are good!  I love the extra rocksalt that is put in every potato wedge..

  • Mother Ann’s Braised Ox-tail (Php 450)

Relik Ox Tail

“Slow braised Australian ox- tails served with pomme puree and buttered carrots”

Among the main dishes that I tried out, it’s the ox-tail that I couldn’t get over!  I loved how the meat fell off when I tried to get a serving.  The flavors were head-on!  Guess what?  It’s actually Chef Tuason’s mom’s recipe!  Who would ever argue that mothers know best?

  • Vanilla & Amaretto Panacotta (Php 160)

Relik Dessert

Perfect way to end any meal is to get a dessert.  The one I tried out in Relik Tapas Bar is their Vanilla & Amaretto Panacotta.  I love that the panacotta wasn’t too sweet and the texture was perfect!  Even the berries that they used were real and not preserved!  Each spoonful of the creamy panacotta was just divine!

This is definitely not the last thing you’ll hear from me about Relik Tapas and Bar as I’ll be having lunch there very soon.  I’ve been curious about it since I visited the restaurant the first time.  I tried their a la carte dishes on my visits so I’ll make sure that my next trip to Relik will be for their lunch offering.  I’m excited!

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Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge
Lunch: M-F, 11:30am to 2:30pm, Dinner & Cocktails: daily, 5:30pm onwards
2nd floor, Commercenter Building, 31st Ave cor. 4th St. Bonifacio Global City, 1200 Taguig, Philippines
+63-2-6248251 & +639175298333

Roch Signature

Smart at the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona

Smart at the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona

I love it when companies embrace technology.  There’s always room to grow and there’s always something to innovate.  One of the companies that I admire is Smart Communications as they continue to drive innovation and bring it to customers nationwide.

From February 27 to March 1, 2012, Smart is actually represented in the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.  Smart is set to demo the WAC applications that has the in-App billing feature.  If you remember, Smart was able to demo the Smart Netphone in last year’s event.  Look at us now, almost all Smart customers are using SmartNet and enjoying it!

I’m glad that Smart held a press briefing last night demonstrating the first few apps that participated in the effort in delivering a simple, safe and easy-to-use payment experience for customers.

Smart Presentation

This is through the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC), an open global alliance made up of leading communications companies like network operators,  device and network equipment manufacturers.  Smart Communications is part of the Board of Directors.  That explains why Smart is bringing in WAC’s payment API, a new technology which enables software developers to charge Smart mobile users directly through their prepaid or postpaid accounts.

WAC Board of Directors

WAC App looks like any other mobile application, but is written using web technologies.  WAC Apps can run on any smartphone (i.e., Android) for which a WAC runtime is available.  Smart highlighted applications created by Filipino developers.  I find them really inspiring.  And I believe in just a few weeks or months, when we see the first few Filipino-made WAC applications being successful, there’ll be more.  Of course, in the end, the customers get to win as things are becoming much easier and more convenient.

WAC apps

The common denominator in the applications as described below is the Payment API.  There is no more need for users to enter a credit card number, the user only needs to confirm purchase and it will be automatically charged on their phone bill.  The ease of use makes it the more exciting.

So without further ado, these are the applications that were showed to us during the press briefing:

  • FHM Philippines

The FHM Philippines application is something I’m sure every Filipino guy would love to have on their mobile phones.  Developed by Hand Interactive, Inc., the mobile app features a collection of the hottest celebrity covers of FHM magazine.

Other features include unpublished photos handpicked by FHM editorial team, write-ups per cover girl and most importantly in-app operator billing which allows users to download their favorite photo sets for Php 15 charged directly to their Smart mobile account.  Now, isn’t that too cool?

Now you guys can have your favorite celebrity sexy photos on your mobile phone.  Yes, I know you want them.  I still distinctly remember how guys drooled over the FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World show last year.  If that show was successful, I’m sure this app would.  Of course, the in-app operator billing feature will make it so much easier for you to own your favorite FHM photo covers.

FHM Philippines mobile application may be downloaded for free from the Android marketplace very soon.

  • iCare

Filipinos are known to be compassionate and helpful.  That is why I think iCare is a great mobile application.  It allows people not just in the Philippines but around the world to donate to Philippine Red Cross and other non-profit charitable organizations.

The capability to send monetary donations through your Smart mobile account makes it much easier to help!  As of the moment, the Philippine National Red Cross is the main beneficiary but soon iCare will expand to include other similar organizations.

I can’t wait for this mobile application to be available.  It always feels good to help people in need.

  • TopApp

I don’t recall anyone who doesn’t have any mobile phone.  Especially in the Philippines, everyone is just connected.  You can see companies (even non-telcos) hold contests that gives a chance to customers to win prepaid mobile loads.  So it just makes a lot of sense that people would want to have TopApp in their mobile phones.

TopApp is an application that allows users to send phone credits to a Smart prepaid user in the Philippines.  You can send prepaid load remotely with just a few clicks.  There are different denominations available: Php 30, Php 50, Php 100, Php 200, Php 300 and Php 500.  The sender then will be billed by his/her telecom provider.

Now, everything is just easy and convenient!  I’m in total awe!

  • Shoephoric

Shoephoric might not be for everyone.  As the name implies, Shoephoric is a mobile application for shoe lovers.  It enables people to share their shoe collection and discuss about them with other shoe lovers.

I believe ladies would love this application.  For guys, I’m not sure they will find this interesting.  If ever, I guess only 5% of the male population might download this app or use it.  The story is totally different with women though.  Like me, for example, I own more than 50 pairs of shoes!  I even have my own cabinet just for shoes at home.  So I’m sure when the mobile application comes out, I’ll be the one of the first to download.

What sets it apart is a feature called ‘Make Me Shoephoric’.  It’s a feature wherein your friends can help gift you your dream shoe by pitching in money using the in-app operator billing.  So if your friends have Smart mobile accounts, they can help fund the shoes you’ve always wanted.

The Shoephoric app will be available soon from the Android marketplace.

I was able to download TopApp so far.  I can’t wait to see the rest of the applications come out of Android Marketplace.  I’ll surely make good use of them and hopefully they’ll be free to download.

Kudos to Smart for another milestone!

Roch Signature

Juice Box Earphones by Juicy Electronics

Juice Box Earphones by Juicy Electronics

I had a new discovery and I was too giddy about it!  Have you ever heard of earphones that are scented?  What more if those earphones are disguised and hidden in a juice box?

Juice Box Earphones is a product of a new company called Juicy Electronics.  Simon, the man behind Juicy Electronics, had been trying to put up his own business until he finally found the right concept last 2010.

His product, Juice Box earphones, is new, creative, unique and uber cute!  I’m positive that it’ll be a very nice gift to your friends and family alike!

Juice Box Earphones what's in the box

There are six juice flavors available: Apple, Blueberry, Banana, Grape, Cherry and Strawberry!

I took the time to smell each of the five flavors I got my hands on.  Unfortunately, strawberry wasn’t included in the shipment.  However, in spite of loving the color red and wishing to own one, I let go of strawberry as seeing the other variants of the cute ‘lil invention lightened up my mood.

Juicy Electronics staff called out blueberry scent as their favorite.  However, I just loved the very mild and subtle smell of the banana scented juice box earphones.  The color yellow makes it a perfect choice as well since I’m carrying a yellow bag.  How matching!

Yellow Juicy Earphones

People might find it odd to own earphones that smelled so delicious.  But isn’t it too cool?  The whole product from the earbuds to the cable and even the silicon tips are scented!  Other people might get so hungry that they’d bite into the accessory (well, we certainly hope this won’t happen).

The packaging of Juice Box Earphones is another unique and fun feature of the product.  The box is color-coded according to the scent of the earphones.  There’s indigo for blueberry, yellow for banana, green for apple, violet for grape, pink for cherry and red for strawberry.

Juice Box Earphones Packaging

I just love that the box literally looked like a real juice box complete with nutrition information, list of ingredients, bar code and even the quality guarantee!  It’s definitely such a joy looking at the product.

Apart from the beautiful aesthetics of Juice Box earphones, we can’t discount that it produces great sounds.  With a frequency response of 22 KHz, it provides good bass and you can listen to music happily.

The baffles are very effective which might be a problem if you have to pay attention to what’s going on around you while using the headphones because it totally shuts out ambient sounds.

Juice Box Earphones Flavors

Of course, the juice box earphones seem to be designed specifically for use with mobile phones because the remote + mic are placed in an ideal position to carry on a phone conversation.  Other phone headsets require you to lift the cable up so you can bring the mic closer to your face before you can make any good use of it.  With the Juice Box Earphones, you have no such worries.  The mic hangs naturally at the level where it can best pick up your voice.  Of course, you can still use it as regular earphones and the sound quality is still better than average.  It’s not Bose but it will let you listen to your music like a boss.

You can get Juice Box Earphones (Php 1,200) in the Philippines from Digital Walker stores in Eastwood Mall, Virra Mall, Parksquare 1, Mall of Asia, Trinoma, Abreeza and Cebu.

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ErvaTrim

ErvaTrim

I’ve been wanting to be healthy for quite some time.  I tried taking supplements, practicing portion control, choosing fish over meat and cutting down on sodas.  However, I have one more goal and that is to lose weight.

I used to not worry about my weight.  When I was young, I could eat a whole lot and not lose weight.  In all honesty, my problem before was how to gain weight.  Unfortunately, when I turned 30, my weight just ballooned!  I gained a total of 30 pounds!  Yes, thirty!!!  It was shocking to say the least and I couldn’t pinpoint as to why it  changed all of a sudden.  In the end, I attribute my weight gain to my age.  I guess when people grow old, their metabolism slows down.  Well, we can’t control aging.

So when the opportunity came for me to try out a dietary supplement, I had to take that chance.

Introducing ErvaTrim, a herbal dietary supplement powder by the WOHL Dietary Products, Inc.  It’s basically tea that we can take after meals.

ErvaTrim Sachets

ErvaTrim is a Green Mate Extract made from the leaves of the Ilex Paraquariensis tree.  It is believed to be a slimming secret of Latinas.  Well, we all know how beautiful and sexy the Latinas are, right?  I think, at this point, as long as a product promises weight loss, I would try it! hahaha!  I hate being overweight!

Here is some information information about ErvaTrim:

  • Promotes weight loss by inhibiting fat absorption.
  • increases fat burning properties and converts fats into absorbable fatty acids.
  • weight loss through ErvaTrim is on body fat and not on muscle reduction.
  • ErvaTrim helps our body get slimmer by increasing metabolism (turning stored fat into energy while cutting down food cravings).
  • contains 15 amino acids, 24 minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals that cause cell damage

ErvaTrim Tea

I’ve been taking ErvaTrim for a week now.  I don’t see any changes in me so far.  I still crave for food every single minute and so far, I haven’t lost a single pound.

In ErvaTrim’s website, it says that we can only see results after 2 weeks of use with proper diet and exercise.  I didn’t exercise during the week that I’ve been taking ErvaTrim and it has only been a week.  What I plan to do is take ErvaTrim until I finish 2 boxes of it.  If it works then fine, if not, then it’s also fine.  At least I tried it.  Nothing to worry about as there are no known side effects from taking ErvaTrim.

Recommended intake for ErvaTrim is one sachet poured into hot or warm water as a tea drink after every meal.  Important to note that ErvaTrim can’t be taken by children and pregnant women.

ErvaTrim Box

One box includes 30 sachets of ErvaTrim.  ErvaTrim is available at Mercury Drug, Watson’s, South Star Drug, Joan’s Pharmacy, Rose Pharmacy, Mega Generics, other leading drugstores and Cherry Foodarama.

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ErvaTrim by WOHL Dietary
No.88 M. Eusebio corner Jenny’s Ave., Maybunga, Pasig City, Philippines
+632 915-3694 to 95
http://www.wohldietary.com

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