ABS-CBN Makes History Once Again! "Idol Philippines" The First Filipino Program to Launch NFTs

ABS-CBN's "Idol Philippines" marks history in the entertainment industry as it becomes the first Filipino program to launch non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or digital trading cards in partnership with Theta Network for its audience.

These NFTs will be available on ThetaDrop,Theta Network’s green and low-cost NFT marketplace. This follows Theta’s previous partnership with its sister show, American Idol, earlier this year.

The first drop took place last August 12, which included a commemorative digital collectible of the Idol Philippines logo at P50 each and Golden Ticket NFT tickets priced at P999 each, which holders can use for the live shows throughout August till September.

"Idol PH" viewers can also purchase the "Finalist Pack" featuring the "Idol Philippines" contestants at P899 each. Aside from this, Platinum Ticket NFTs which cost P1,999 each will be available this August 19 and can be used as passes to the "Idol Philippines" finals on September 17 and 18. Owners of the Platinum Ticket NFTs will also have the chance to meet the grand winner of the second season of "Idol PH."

Meanwhile, the competition gets more intense as the Idol judges have chosen the Top 12 hopefuls advancing to the Live Gala Shows. They are Nisha Bedaña, Ann Raniel, Misha de Leon, Trisha Gomez, Delly Cuales, Anthony Meneses, Kice, PJ Fabia, Khimo Gumatay, Drei Sugay, Bryan Chong, and Platinum ticket holder Ryssi Avila.

Viewers also have the power to support each of the Top 12 hopefuls by saving up voting credits as early as now on Uplive. Download the Uplive app. Create a profile, click the banner landing page, and Idol account profile. Log on to earn vote credits, or fans can purchase the said credits. Viewers can only use their voting credits within the show. The voting period will only be open during the live shows.

Watch out for the next performances of Idol Hopefuls in “Idol Philippines” Season 2 every weekend on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV.

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Herlene Budol and Joseph Marco’s First Kiss Happening Finally!

Puregold Channel’s “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask,” which wraps up its hugely successful run soon, is raring for a major dopamine fix for its massive fan base.

Followers wonder: Will it be Malta and Sieg’s very first kiss? And will it happen in Episode 12, the second to the last in the series?

The show’s ardent fans are definitely clamoring for that climactic point in our heroes’ romance. For one, stayraq Shyen is holding her breath, “Omg! For real? ��������Nakakahim sa kilig! Im soooooooooooo excited!!! I can't wait!!!! ��

And so is Howitzer 2620, who excitedly declares, “Waiting Po hihihi super kilig.”

“Ang Babae” fans all over the planet are totally craving for their Malta and Sieg weekend habit. Rabid follower Agaro, Fema D. gushes, “From the beginning to the end of this episode always naka smile akohh.” Simply Aliza Channel swears: “pagkatapos ng busy weekdays..eto ang stress reliever ko mwala lahat ng pagud sa kilig kilig moments ni Sieg at Malta ayeeeh abangers na.”

Last week, it was “Kiss, Interrupted” for Herlene Budol’s Malta and Joseph Marco’s Sieg. Will something get in the way again in the forthcoming installment?

Don’t miss Episode 12 of “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask,” showing this Saturday, at 7 PM, on the official YouTube Puregold Channel. 

For more updates, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to Puregold Channel on YouTube.

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AJ Raval Returns via Sexy-Action Film "Sitio Diablo," Premieres August 26 on Vivamax

Home is commonly defined as a place where one lives and feels most safe and secure. It is supposed to be a haven and a comfort zone. It is a place where we would find the people we love most who will become our refuge and strength as we deal with the cruelties of the world.

But in a place called “Sitio Diablo”, home is defined a little differently. It becomes a place of riot and anger. A place not for rest but for endless chaos. A Vivamax Original Movie, “Sitio Diablo” premieres this August 26, 2022, streaming exclusively on Vivamax.

Gang wars and an unending list of crimes - this is the everyday life in Sitio Diablo, the kind of life Aina (AJ Raval) is used to. Growing up in a family of gang leaders, Aina is no stranger to dealing with drugs, robbery, illegal firearms, and even murder. She is deeply influenced by her late father and her incarcerated brother, Tonix (Benz Sangalang), who were the leaders of their town's most notorious gang, the Los Hijos Diablos.

After Tonix is behind bars, the Los Hijos Diablos loses its members and brings the gang to a downfall. It paves the way for the town to form other gangs with strong and notorious members, one of which is the Illustrado, led by Bullet (Kiko Estrada), who is also the partner of Aina. Together, they become the leaders of the Illustrado gang and the king and queen who rules around Sitio Diablo.

But their short reign immediately faces trouble when they learn that Tonix has been released from prison and plans to reclaim his seat as their town’s most notorious gang leader. This awaits a gang war that is yet to be the most brutal and bloodiest battle Sitio Diablo will ever witness.

“Sitio Diablo” is a sexy-action film starring one of the most talked about actresses today, and Vivamax’s Maximum Crush - AJ Raval. She continuously proves that she is the most sought-after sexy actress with her top-rated Vivamax Originals like Paglaki ko, Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar, Crush kong Curly, Death of a Girlfriend, Kaliwaan, Taya, Hugas, and Iskandalo. Joining her as the lead of the movie are young and talented actors Kiko Estrada in his first Vivamax movie and Benz Sangalang of Secrets. The movie also stars talented hiphop artists like Pio Balbuena, Cean Jr., Ace Raval, Just Hush and Because.

From Viva Films and the Cult director, Roman Perez, Jr., prepare for the deadliest riot you’ll ever witness and watch as their little town becomes a war zone. Sitio Diablo premieres exclusively on Vivamax this August 29, 2022.

Subscribe to Vivamax for only P149 per month or P399 for three months. Visit web.vivamax.net or download the app and subscribe via Google Play Store, Huawei App Gallery and App Store.

For payments via website, you may choose EC Pay, 7 Eleven, All Day, All Day, Pay Mongo, GrabPay, GCash, or PayMaya. For payment thru app, you can have Globe, Smart, GCash, Paypal, Visa, or Mastercard as options. For payment thru Ecommerce, you may choose from Lazada, Comworks, Clickstore, or Paymaya. For payment thru authorized outlets, choose from Load Manna, Comworks, Cebuana Lhuillier, Palawan Express, and Load Central. VivaMax’s cable partners are SkyCable, Cable Link, Wesfardell Connect, Fiber, BCTVI, Cebu Cable, Zenergy HD, Cotabato Cable Television Network Corporation, and Concepcion Pay TV Network, Inc.

“Sitio Diablo” is also streaming on Vivamax Middle East. For kababayans in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, watch all you can for only AED35/month. Vivamax can also be streamed in Europe for only 8 GBP/month.

Vivamax is also available in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei, Macao, Vietnam, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, and now also in Canada and the United States of America. Vivamax, atin ‘to!

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Athlete, Architect, and Online Heartthrob Karl Bautista Becomes The Searcher in First Boys Love Dating Game Show "Hello Searcher"

Karl Bautista, who is known on Tiktok as an athlete, artist and architect, tries his luck in dating as he was announced as the 'searcher' of the country's first boys love dating game show, "Hello Searcher '' produced by Blacksheep.

According to him, he was shocked to be chosen as the searcher for the game show as he rarely gets a shot in his past auditions. "Honestly, hindi ko inexpect. Hindi naman ako artista pa talaga pero I sent auditions here and there. I rarely get a callback. Sabi ko na lang, 'I will try to audition because Mela (Habijan) is a good friend.' Now that I'm here, iba na pala ang feeling pero exciting," he shared.

Blacksheep Creative Head Kookie Labayen and Blacksheep Creative Supervisor Daniel Saniana revealed that they saw a certain charm in Karl that made them choose him among the other people they interviewed.

"We started with go-sees so we met Karl through Zoom. Pero when we talked to him parang may certain charm talaga na yung hinahanap namin sa isang searcher," Daniel stated.

Kookie, on the other hand, found Karl's personality as his edge over the other auditionees.

"Hindi ko ma-explain pero sobrang akong na-charm. Hindi siya nagta-try too hard. He is just being himself as in siguro may nakita ako kay Karl. Noong ipinakikilala niya yung sarili niya, he said he is adventurous. Parang ako, This guy is interesting na makita kung paano niya ite-take tong adventure na ito. Kasi di ba kahit marami ng nasubukan na adventures ni Karl, yung dating iba naman," she said.

Joining Karl in the game show is the first Miss Trans Global, Mela Habijan, who will serve as the 'Mother Sparker' or host in the said game show.

In "Hello Searcher," six lucky searchees will go through exciting virtual challenges and games until one searchee remains.

Karl also said that he has no expectations of the six searchees he will meet on the show.

"I feel like everybody is interesting in their own way. Even if people say you are weird, I think that makes you interesting. Kahit papaano iba naman ang gusto mo sa buhay. I think if you have a passion, it will interest the spark in me, kasi I'm very curious about a lot of things. If they can keep up with the conversation and make me more interested in their lives. Humor is always a plus for the spark," he voiced.

He added that through this show he will get to know more about himself and get to know other people from different walks of life.

Viewers can be part of the first boy-love dating game show through the Sparks Call, an audition for the show’s searchees. The online audition is open to all male Filipinos living in the Philippines or abroad but willing to travel in the country, 21 years old and above, and must be able to understand Filipino. To audition, fill out the online form and send their audition videos through bit.ly/HelloSearcherSC.

Join the first BL dating show in the country and you might be one of the searchees who will ignite the spark in Karl.

Join Karl and the six searchees in "Hello, Searcher," part of the Made For YouTube shows soon on Black Sheep’s YouTube Channel.

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(Poster and Trailer) Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO Movie

Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO has just unveiled its payoff poster and the character one-sheet of Piccolo. 

Check them out below and watch the film exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines starting this August 31.

Watch the film’s trailer at https://youtu.be/5LBd8BAWp2Q

Distributor: This is the first truly globally-distributed theatrical release for Crunchyroll and is distributed in North America by Crunchyroll. Internationally, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Synopsis: The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan… What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!

Official Description: The film, with full commitment and deep involvement from Dragon Ball’s original creator Akira Toriyama, has the legendary manga creator behind the film’s original story, screenplay and character design.

Additionally, the film will be directed by Tetsuro Kodama and the Japanese voice actors for the film include Masako Nozawa (Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Son Goten), Toshio Furukawa (Piccolo), Aya Hisakawa (Bulma), Ryō Horikawa (Vegeta), Mayumi Tanaka (Krillin), Takeshi Kusao (Trunks), Yūko Minaguchi (Videl), Yūko Minaguchi (Pan), Miyu Irino (Dr. Hedo), Hiroshi Kamiya (Gamma 1), Mamoru Miyano (Gamma 2), Volcano Ota (Magenta), and Ryota Takeuchi (Carmine).

The English voice actors include Kyle Hebert (Son Gohan), Sean Schemmel (Son Goku), Robert McCollum (Son Goten), Christopher R. Sabat (Piccolo, Vegeta), Monica Rial (Bulma), Sonny Strait (Krillin), Eric Vale (Trunks), Kara Edwards (Videl), Jeannie Tirado (Pan), Zach Aguilar (Dr. Hedo), Aleks Le (Gamma 1), Zeno Robinson (Gamma 2), Charles Martinet (Magenta), and Jason Marnocha (Carmine).

The Dragon Ball phenomena began in 1984 when Japan’s well-known manga from Akira Toriyama premiered in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” – becoming a top ranked title throughout its 10 and a half years of publication. Since then, the manga’s popularity has continued to grow with an astonishing record of 260 million copies sold worldwide and counting. And with Dragon Ball’s ever-increasing popularity, it has expanded beyond manga to include TV animation, movies, games and merchandising. Now 38 years after the launch of the original manga, Dragon Ball continues to evolve and will reach new heights starting with this new large-scale movie.

In Philippine cinemas August 31, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO is distributed by Crunchyroll and Columbia Pictures.

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Anne Curtis and Jane de Leon Team up in SMART New Powerful Campaign #PowerOfSmart

Bannering the best customer experience that subscribers enjoy on the Smart network, multi-hyphenate star Anne Curtis and rising actress Jane de Leon have suited up as two powerful superheroes in Smart’s latest campaign video, revealing its groundbreaking “Best Mobile Network” recognition from Ookla®, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

A first for a mobile operator in the Philippines, the “Best Mobile Network” award was given to Smart after winning Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage for Q1 to Q2 2022.

“We want to celebrate this milestone by putting together two of today's remarkable women—this generation’s Dyosa and Darna - in one campaign that shows just how Filipinos are empowered with the best mobile experience on the Smart network. Anne has been a long-time Smart user and endorser while Jane is excited to further explore the power of Smart. Like Anne and Jane, we want our customers to enjoy the same powerful experience,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business - Individual at Smart.

Powerful women in their own way

Indeed, as Anne and Jane power through obstacles in the action-packed video complete with dynamic effects and stunts, they assert: “When you have the power of the fastest speed, and when you have the power of the widest coverage, you get the best overall experience.”

According to Flores, although Anne and Jane are in different phases of their careers, both are powerful women in their own special way.

A Smart endorser for over 10 years now, Anne has seen Smart evolve through the years even as she established herself as one of the biggest local celebrities today and remains as the most followed Filipino celebrity on social media.

“I have been a loyal Smart subscriber for years, and it's because Smart has allowed me to do so much - it’s almost like having superpowers. I’ve always been so proud to be part of this family and even happier now that the brand that has empowered me all these years is today’s Best Mobile Network,” said Anne.

On the other hand, Jane is about to make her mark in showbiz as she becomes the iconic Filipino superhero Darna. Her journey in getting this life-changing role serves as an inspiration for everyone to power through challenges, according to Flores.

“I’m happy to be part of the Smart family. I can’t even begin to tell you guys how much this means to me because I’m so excited to endorse a network that really empowers me to do what I want,” said Jane.

Experience the Power of Smart

With Smart’s fastest speeds, subscribers can do and accomplish more – from connecting with loved ones in crystal-clear calls, sending important work and school files in seconds, sharing content on social media in real-time, to enjoying their favorite videos, music, and games seamlessly.

Smart’s widest coverage means subscribers can stay connected more – whether it’s from the comfort of their home or office, the commute to school or work, or outside the city for a well-deserved break.

The latest Ookla Speedtest Awards add to Smart’s recent string of citations that reinforce its network leadership. Last April, independent firm Opensignal declared Smart as the “operator to beat in the Philippines” as it dominated the Opensignal Mobile Experience Awards**, covering the essential aspects of service, especially speed and experience. These awards include Best Overall Experience for Video, Games, Voice App, and Download Speed across all technologies.

Non-Smart subscribers can experience the power of Smart without changing their number through Mobile Number Portability, a service that can be conveniently booked via https://smart.com.ph/Pages/mobilenumberportability and at Smart Stores nationwide. 

To know more about the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Network, visit www.smart.com.ph.

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Discover the iconic PUMA SLIPSTREAM with New Ambassador NCT 127

PUMA, the fastest sports brand in the world, has released the SLIPSTREAM sneaker and unveiled a campaign with its new APAC ambassador, NCT 127.

PUMA’s next-generation sneaker brings ‘80s basketball to the modern day. Without compromising its performance roots, the Slipstream is a court classic reinvented.

35 years after its first release, PUMA pens the latest chapter in the saga of the iconic Slipstream. This summer, the storied Slipstream makes its return in a plethora of colorways and makeups. The sneaker features an undeniably clean and modern look with its silhouette tooling and upper/midsole design.

The Slipstream Campaign with NCT127 displays the theme of traveling back in time to the ‘80s when the shoes were first born. The campaign goes for a vintage street concept, featuring graffiti walls, old cars, and street shops that recall the spirit of that time. The eight members of NCT 127 drew attention from fans by showing off their appearances, with the exception of Yuta, who was unable to participate due to self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

As part of the campaign activation, PUMA Philippines has prepared an exciting gift-with-purchase for consumers. Exclusive, limited edition NCT 127 photocards will be given to consumers who purchase the new Slipstream sneakers on a first-come, first-serve basis. More information will be shared at a closer date towards the Slipstream release.

PUMA announced NCT 127, a Korean K-POP group under SM Entertainment, as its APAC Ambassador on 25 July 2022. NCT 127 will actively participate in fifteen different APAC countries starting with the Slipstream campaign.

Officials from PUMA Korea stated, “The Slipstream is an iconic sneaker that best depicts PUMA’s sports heritage, and we have high expectations for our first campaign with NCT 127 as our APAC ambassador.” They added, “With the reinterpreted modern design, we hope that Slipstream, which is suitable not only for basketball courts but also for lifestyle and street fashions, will be embraced by more and more consumers.”

The new Slipstream will be released on PUMA.com, selected PUMA stores, and ZALORA from September 15 onwards.

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Jordan Peele's Latest Film "Nope" Transcends Sci-Fi Horror Genre, Opens August 17 in Philippine Cinemas

Filmmaker Jordan Peele, also known for Get Out and Us that disrupted and redefined the horror genre, reinvents the sci-fi horror genre this time in his latest film Nope. Shot with large-format and IMAX cameras, Peele, along with the film’s director of photography Hoyte Van Hoytema (whose work includes Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Tenet) teamed up to capture the impossible on camera.

Peele was eager to expand his cinematic canvas and embraced a new challenge unlike any in his filmmaking career so far and tackle the granddaddy of genre movies: the summer event film. The film is both a spectacle and an examination of how spectacle shapes cultures and ideas of ourselves. Nope puts siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood back together (played by Oscar® winner Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) when their legendary father dies and leaves them the ranch estate to manage, known for training horses used in big Hollywood productions. As they delve deeper in managing the ranch, both notice something unusual - something is in the sky and it is abducting people and animals, and the Haywood siblings are determined to uncover the mystery behind it.

A man of few words but noble actions, OJ is the moral center of the film. Although he works in Hollywood, his world is mostly isolated to the Haywood Ranch in Agua Dulce, and he’s most comfortable doing his work and keeping his head down. When his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) returns to the ranch, some old tensions and wounds begin to surface. “What I love about Jordan’s films is that they’re hard to describe,” Kaluuya says. “They have to be experienced. There’s always a real eternal premise and then a real truth in the middle of it. I always lean in when I don’t know what something is,” Kaluuya continues. “But I can only lean in when I know that the director is passionate about it, that they understand it, that they feel it. And that’s always true of Jordan.”

An aspiring actor, singer and stuntwoman, Emerald Haywood, played by Keke Palmer, seems, at first, to be the opposite of her brother OJ in fundamental ways. A defining moment from her childhood forever shaped her relationship with OJ and their father. She has a tight bond with OJ, despite her avoidance of her role in the family business. For Palmer, the experience of making Nope and working with Peele inspired her to reflect on the state of our culture and ourselves. “For me, the film is about chasing something far outside of yourself and chasing it to such an extent that you don’t realize, until it’s too late, what you already had,” Palmer says.

“Nope was written in 2020 during the pandemic,” Peele says. “It was this crazy time. In a lot of ways, the film is a reflection of all the horrors that happened that year and are still happening.” As for the title, he says, “Nope means a lot of things. I always love to get into the head of my audience. I was inspired by the feeling of existential helplessness in us all, then this idea of spectacle, to bring people out to the theatres and help invigorate their love for the cinematic experience, and at the same time I asked myself the reason why we are obsessed with spectacle.”

A Universal Pictures release, Nope opens in local cinemas on August 17.

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“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” Breaks Online Viewership Record in Action-Packed Finale

After making a mark on pop culture as the longest-running action-drama series in the Philippines, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” concluded with an action-packed and emotion-filled finale that glued viewers to see the fate of the iconic hero cop Cardo Dalisay, played by Coco Martin.

The nearly two-hour finale hit a new all-time high record of 536,543 live concurrent views on Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and garnered multiple trending topics on Twitter in the Philippines such as #FPJAP7MissionAccomplished, #FPJsAngProbinsyano, Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Cardo, Julia Montes, Lola Flora, Onyok, John Arcilla, Angel Aquino, Agila, and Hipolito.

The episode saw Cardo’s Task Force Agila being given a hero’s burial after they sacrificed their lives to save President Oscar (Rowell Santiago) and finally eliminated terrorist leaders Renato (John Arcilla) and Lucio (Raymond Bagatsing). Cardo was the only one who survived the bloodbath, along with President Oscar, who awarded the police cop with a medal of bravery.

Viewers also turned emotional with the moving tribute to the late Susan Roces, who portrayed Lola Flora, as Cardo grieved with his family by his side. The episode also signified new beginnings - Cardo returned to the province and was reunited with Mara (Julia Montes), while Oscar tied the knot with his first love Aurora (Sharon Cuneta).

Coco led the powerhouse cast in thanking the entire “FPJAP” time and their loyal viewers for their unwavering support throughout the show’s nearly seven-year run.

“Gusto kong magpasalamat kay tita Susan kasi sa kanya po nagsimula ang lahat ng ito dahil pinayagan niya kaming gawin ‘yung proyekto. Salamat po kay FPJ kasi siya po ang naging inspirasyon naming lahat,” said Coco during their thanksgiving celebration on “ASAP Natin ‘To” on Sunday (August 14).

He adds, “Ang ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,’ alam namin na may purpose kami na kahit papaano, kahit sa sandaling oras ay mapaligaya namin ang mga manonood at mabigyan ng pag-asa. Ginagawa po namin ‘to para sa lahat ng Pilipino, kaya maraming, maraming salamat sa pitong taon na pagsama niyo.”

“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” united Filipinos all over the country as they tuned in to celebrate the end of the iconic show. In Tubod, Lanao del Norte, the local government organized a live viewing party which was attended by thousands of Filipinos. Another viewing party was held in Mindoro, while tricycle drivers in Bulacan watched the finale together.

Several families and die-hard fans also gave a fitting send-off for the show. In a Facebook post, netizen Jan Gutierrez awarded their father with a ‘certificate of completion’ for successfully completing all episodes. Meanwhile, Lola Teresita, who went viral last June for her reaction to Black Ops’ torture scene against Cardo, shared her happiness on social media after Cardo survived his final mission.

To give back to their supporters, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” started its “Pasasalamat Tour” last August 14 at Vista Mall Taguig, where thousands of fans gathered to see members of the cast. The thanksgiving tour is also set to visit Bulacan (August 19), Cebu (August 20), and Iloilo (August 21), as well as the United States this coming September.

For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

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