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Showing posts with label CARLOS VANDER TOLOSA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CARLOS VANDER TOLOSA. Show all posts

Monday, May 4, 2026

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 167: MONA LISA, FERNANDO ROYO, LUNINGNING, BIMBO DANAO, AND INTRODUCING CAROL VARGA, WITH PERLA SOLIMAN, ARMANDO CRIS, CRIS DE VERA, JOSE TRONI, TOTOY TORRENTE, OSCAR OBLIGACION, PEDRO FAUSTINO IN "SIYUDAD SA ILALIM NG LUPA" (1949)/ UPDATED


"Siyudad sa Ilalim ng Lupa" (1949)
X'Otic Films
(Made by Movietec)
Release Date April 21, 1949/ Life
Story Fausto Gonzales
Arranger Luis Calasanz
Music Josefino Cenizal
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Mona Lisa, Fernando Royo, Luningning, Bimbo Danao/ Also Starring Perla Soliman, Armando Cris, Cris de Vera/ Co-starring Jose Troni, Totoy Torrente, Oscar Obligacion, Matty Torres, Manuel barbeyto, Pedro Faustino, Julio Gonzales/ Introducing Carol Varga

Thursday, April 23, 2026

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 55: LINDA ESTRELLA, TEDDY BENAVIDEZ, MONA LISA, FERNANDO ROYO, BIMBO DANAO, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, CRIS DE VERA, GIL DE LEON, JOSE TRONI, TOTOY TORRENTE, OSCAR OBLIGACION, SERAFIN GARCIA IN "SUNSET OVER CORREGIDOR (KRUS NG DIGMA)" (1948)/ UPDATED



"Sunset Over Corregidor (Krus ng Digma)"
X'OTIC Productions

Release Date: December 8, 1948/Times
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Linda Estrella, Teddy Benavidez, Mona Lisa, Fernando Royo, Bimbo Danao, Rosa Aguirre, Cris de Vera, Gil de Leon, Jose Troni, Totoy Torrente, Oscar Obligacion, Serafin Garcia



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POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 164: VIDA FLORANTE, LEILA MORENA, ROSA ROSAL, PILAR PADILLA, FERNANDO ROYO, BIMBO DANAO IN "APAT NA DALANGIN" (1948)/ UPDATED


"Apat na Dalangin" (1948)
Nolasco Bros. Pictures
A Luis F. Nolasco Production
Release Date November 26- December 13, 1948/ Center
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Vida Florante, Leila Morena, Rosa Rosal, Pilar Padilla, Fernando Royo (in his first starring role), Bimbo Danao

Saturday, April 4, 2026

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 158: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, BIMBO DANAO, BEN PEREZ, BEN RUBIO, GIL DE LEON, FERNANDO ROYO, DON DANON, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, ALMA BELLA IN "SIETE DOLORES (ANG PITONG ANAK)" (1948)


"Siete Dolores (Ang Pitong Anak)" (1948)
Nolasco Bros, Pictures
Release Date February 19- March 21, 1948/ Boulevard
Photography Pedro R. Santos
Sound Tommy R. Santos
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Bimbo Danao, Ben Perez, Ben Rubio, Gil de Leon, Fernando Royo, Don Danon/ Also Starring Rosa Aguirre, Alma Bella/ Featuring Quiel Segovia/ Introducing Leila Morena


Tuesday, December 2, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, NARDING ANZURES, LILIAN VELEZ, NATI RUBI, PUGO & TOGO WITH FLORENTINO BALLECER, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, PERLA GARCIA, LETTY PEREZ, ADRIANO CATOT IN "BINIBIRO LAMANG KITA" (1941)/ UPDATED


"Binibiro Lamang Kita (1941)"
Filippine Films
Release Date July 5, 1941/ Dalisay Theater
Musical Direction Serafin Payawal
Direction Carlos Vander Tololosa
Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Narding Anzures, Lilian Velez, Nati Rubi/ Featuring Pugo and Togo/ with Florentino Ballecer, Exequiel Segovia, Perla Garcia, Letty Perez, Adriano Catot

Saturday, November 29, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, PUGO & TOGO, WITH FLORENTINO BALLECER, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, PATRING CARVAJAL, ROSARIO LAM IN "BINIBINI NG PALENGKE" (1941)/ UPDATED

Romance, music and comedy cleverly join forces and make a hundred per cent go of it in the new Carlos Vander Tolosa production for Filippine Films, "Binibini N g Palengke," which starts its first-run exhibition at the Dalisay theatre today.

Featuring Ely Ramos and Norma Blancaflor in their biggest co-starring triumph, this excellent movie opus is everything sure to give the cine public here, there and everywhere a full load of wholesome entertainment. What with its powerful dramatic set-to, its goodly sprinkling of comedy with Togo and Pugo, side-busting laugh-team, dishing out fun as you like it and finally its fine song flavoring — all these plus its smooth dialogue, steady continuity, expert camerawork and careful editing, put "Binibini Ng Palengke" in a class all its own. Surely, a high one at that. 

Ely Ramos impressively plays the role of a rich man's son who goes gaga about an attractive small-town market vendor. Norma Blancaflor, doing the part of the eye-filling market beauty, is amusingly realistic. Interesting is the word for the main complication in the plot wherein Ely Ramos, set to love but not to lose, disguises himself as a lowly farmer's son and makes love to Norma. It's quite the way of country ladies to prefer suitors of their own kind and co-authors C. V. Tolosa and Narciso Asistio did "punish" Ely Ramos who all his life never had a taste of farm life but who nevertheless honest-to-goodness complied with all the callings of his role.

If you're not hep to romance and drama and music, well, you can't miss Togo and Pugo, comedy maniacs who've brought many a house down with their laugh sounders. They're cast as Ely Ramos' loose-brained stooges — a couple of idiots all right — who do a lot of monkey business at your funny bone's expense. Laugh all you may but don't let it be from ear to ear.  

“Binibini Ng Palengke" is a remarkable celluloid stuff, and ithen all is seen and heard, surely you'd want to pat on the back Carlos Vander Tolosa, Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Togo and Pugo and the rest in the cast or if you're not the complimenting kind, you'll keep your seat for a second sitting or a third. Whatever you choose to do, don't say we didn't tip you.

(The Tribune, April 19, 1941)



"Binibini ng Palengke" (1941)
Filippine Films
Release Date April 19-28, 1941Dalisay Theater
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Music Ariston Avelino
Story
 Carlos Vander Tolosa and
 Narciso Asistio
Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, Pugo & Togo, Florentino Ballecer, Exequiel Segovia, Patring Carvajal, Rosario Lam




"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

Friday, November 21, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, WITH MINA DE GRACIA, ANGELITA (RHUMBA) REY, PRECIOSO PALMA, NATI RUBI IN "DALAGA (ISANG NGITI LAMANG!)" (1940)

Now it can be told that the Filipino motion picture enterprise has deservedly reached a level of comparative perfection with Carlos Vander Tolosa's inspired creation, "Dalaga— Isang Ngiti Lamang," a Filippine Films production. This P100, 000.00 production which marks the crowning achievement of Carlos Vander Tolosa as the country's foremost director has the magnificence of a truly unforgettable screenplay. "Dalaga" starts its regular showing at the Grand theatre today.

Ely Ramos and Norma Blancaflor, supported by a distinguished cast composed of Mina de Gracia, Angel ita (Rhunaba) Rey, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi, Juanita Angeles, Vicente Ocampo and hundreds of extras, reap their biggest actingtriumph. Under the knowing guidance of Carlos Vander Tolosa who wrote and directed the screenplay, these two notable films personalities easily surpass all their previous performances and emerge dominantly fluent in their respective portrayal of the leading characters.

"Dalaga" as the glorification of Filipino films productions teems with drama, romance, music, comedy, pageantry and all other highly entertaining aspects in a style and manners that outranks all those vehicles locally produced before. It starts the trend of local films towards lavishness and artistry. Such embodiments as a complete Moro operetta and fashion shows forecast the future trend of the Filipina dress are only two of the highlighting phases of this ambitious Filippine Films productions. Musical direction was under the expert handling of Ariston Avelino, with the assistance of Alejo Valdez and Julio Esteban Anguita.

Fifteen gigantic sets varying from a typical Moro village to the whole deck of a ship were built at the Filippine Films studios at great expense. These sets were used in shooting the many big scenes which greatly enhance the glory of this production.
(The Tribune, December 15, 1940)



"Dalaga (Isang Ngiti Lamang!)" (1940)
Filippine Films
Release Date December 15, 1940/ Grand Theater
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Ely Ramos, Norma Blancaflor, with Mina de Gracia, Angelita (Rhumba) Rey, Precioso Palma, Nati Rubi





(Image, courtesy of  Pinoy Kollektor)

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, MILA DEL SOL, MARIA MIRANDA, ANICETO ROBLEDO IN "HALI" (1940)


"Hali" (1940)
LVN Pictures
Release Date January 11, 1940/ Grand Theater
Story Manolo Rosado
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Ely Ramos, Mila del Sol, Maria Miranda, Aniceto Robledo




(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, FERNANDO POE, MILA DEL SOL, FLEUR DE LIS, PRECIOSO PALMA, BEN RUBIO, CECILIO JOAQUIN IN "GILIW KO" (1939): LVN PICTURES' FIRST MOVIE/ UPDATED

LVN Pictures was established in 1939 by three friends--- DoƱa Narcisa "Sisang" Buencamino de Leon, Carmen Villongco and Eleuterio Navoa, whose initials spelled the name of the company. Their first movie, Giliw Ko, a musical starring Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Sr., Mila del Sol and Fleur de Lis (later renamed Mona Lisa) was a sensational box-office hit. However, its succeeding films did not fare well at the tills and in order to save the company, DoƱa Sisang had to buy out the other stockholders.

Giliw Ko
, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, is one of the five existing pre-war movies available.


The movie was released and shown at Grand Theater, July 29, 1939.


"Giliw Ko" (1939)
LVN Pictures
Release Date: July 29, 1939Metropolitan Theater
and August 1-10, 1939/ Grand Theater
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Mila del Sol, Fleur de Lis, Ben Rubio, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin




Sunday, October 19, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA AND MARI VELEZ IN "DIWATA NG KARAGATAN" (1936/1939)/ RE-ISSUED

Shown in 1936, the movie "Diwata ng Karagatan, "acclaimed by two continents, Europe and South America, as Most Beautiful, no local studio has ever produced anything like it yet..." was re-released and re-shown at Fox theater in limited run in January 17, 1939.

The movie, starring Rogelio de la Rosa starred as a young Malay and Mari Velez as his chosen maiden star, was (re)-edited in Paris, France (with French subtitles). 


"Diwata ng Karagatan" (1936/ 1939)
A Parlatone Production
Release Date January 17, 1939/ Fox Theater
Written and Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa and Mari Velez


 

Saturday, October 18, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: YOLANDA MARQUEZ, ELY RAMOS, WITH ANDRES CENTENERA, NATY RUBI, MIGUEL ANZURES, SOLEDAD AQUINO, PRECIOSO PALMA, BILLY VIZCARRA, LITA ZABALA IN "DAHONG LAGAS" (1938)

Overflowing with heartfelt emotion and gripping suspense, Sampaguita Pictures presents its latest contribution to Philippine cinema—“Dahong Lagas,” opening today at the Grand Theater. Hailed by film critics as one of the most exceptional love stories ever brought to the screen, this splendid production promises powerful entertainment that will surely captivate audiences.

 Heading the cast are Yolanda Marquez, the radiant star of numerous screen triumphs, and Ely Ramos, the matinee idol who gained fame as the dashing Romeo in Sampaguita’s “Madaling Araw.” Their performances, especially in the romantic sequences, vividly capture the passion of a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, charged with intense emotion.

 They are supported by an impressive ensemble featuring Andres Centenera, the heroic father of “Alipin ng Palad”; Naty Rubi, noted for her outstanding villainous portrayals; Miguel Anzures, one of the screen’s leading character actors; Soledad Aquino, the moving mother of “Inang Mahal”; Precioso Palma, the patriotic father from “Madaling Araw”, Billy “Surot” Vizcarra, the beloved comic and Lita Zabala.

 Enhancing the production’s appeal are three delightful songs composed by Miguel Velarde Jr. — “Maligayang Awit,” a lively native tune, “Dahong Lagas,” a tango sung by Yolanda Marquez and “Dinggin Mo, Irog,” a romantic danza performed by Ely Ramos.

 This touching and musically rich motion picture was written and directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa.

(The Tribune, December 30, 1938)


It was released and shown at Grand Theater, December 30, 1938.



"Dahong Lagas" (1938)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date: December 30, 1938- January 6, 1939Grand Theater
Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.
Story and Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Yolanda Marquez, Ely Ramos, Andres Cetenera, Naty Rubi, Miguel Anzures, Soledad Aquino, Precioso Palma, Billy Vizcarra, Lita Zabala









"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELSA ORIA AND ELY RAMOS, WITH YOLANDA MARQUEZ, TEDDY BENAVIDES, ERNESTO LA GUARDIA, PRECIOSA PALMA, MANUEL ELORIAGA, NATI RUBI, BILLY VIZCARRA, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, JOAQUIN GAVINO IN "MADALING ARAW" (1938)/ UPDATED

"Here's the greatest fiction ever conceived of tomorrow's Philippines. A tremendous story, vibrant with patriotism, musical romance. stirring pathos and rib-tickling comedy!" says the ad in this 1938 musical, "Madaling Araw."

The movie, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, starred Elsa Oria, Ely Ramos, Yolanda Marquez, Teddy Benavides, Ernesto la Guardia, Precioso Palma, Manuel Eloriaga, Nati Rubi, Billy Vizcarra, Exequiel Segovia, Joaquin Gavino.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, October 11, 1938.

"Madaling Araw" (1938)
Sampaguita Pictures Inc.
Release Date: October 11-25, 1938Metropolitan Theater
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast
 Elsa Oria, Ely Ramos, Yolanda Marquez, Teddy Benavides, Ernesto la Guardia, Precioso Palma, Manuel Eloriaga, Nati Rubi, Billy Vizcarra, Exequiel Segovia, Joaquin Gavino






"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

Saturday, October 4, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, TEDDY BENAVIDES, MIGUEL ANZURES, NITA LINDA, JOSE DEL PRADO, PRECIOSA PALMA, NENA OLGA, TERRIBLE MAX, YOUNG PANCHO VILLA, JOSE PAYUMO IN "TIGRE" (1938)

"His own people branded him a murderer and a murderer of his own people he became! This is the gripping story of an innocent convict whose thirst for vengeance forced him to take justice in his own way!," says the ad in this 1938 action thriller, "Tigre."

The movie, directed by Carlos Vanver Tolosa, starred Exequiel Segovia, Teddy Benavides, Miguel Anzures, Nita Linda, Jose del Prado, Preciosa Palma, Nena Olga, Terrible Max, Young Pancho Villa, Jose Payumo.
=======================================================================

Synopsis--- 

Don Teofilo (Miguel Anzures), a powerful politician, secretly leads a counterfeiting ring. Suspicious of his associate Amado (Exequiel Segovia), whom he believes to be cheating in their dealings, Teofilo frames him for murder after a gang clash, planting evidence with the help of his cohorts. Even Emilia (Nita Linda), Teofilo’s sister and the beloved of young reporter Luis (Teddy Benavides), supports the false accusation. Amado is convicted and vows revenge.

Years later, freed on parole, Amado begins eliminating those who betrayed him—Teofilo, Gregorio, Irineo, and Rafael—leaving only Emilia’s name uncrossed in his chilling memorandum, which spells out “TIGRE” from their initials. When Amado finally confronts Emilia, Luis defends her in a deadly struggle, killing Amado. The police uncover the truth: Amado committed the recent murders, while Don Teofilo was the counterfeiters’ ringleader. With justice restored, Luis and Emilia find happiness together.


"Tigre" (1938)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date April 7, 1938/ Grand Theater
Story Teodoro Virrey
Screenplay Luis F. Nolasco
Music Jose Estella
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Exequiel Segovia, Teddy Benavides, Miguel Anzures, Nita Linda, Jose del Prado, Preciosa Palma, Nena Olga, Terrible Max, Young Pancho Villa, Jose Payumo





Thursday, September 25, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELSA ORIA, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, ELY RAMOS, SILVIA ROSALES, TEDDY BENAVIDES, NATI RUBI, BILLY VIZCARRA IN "BITUING MARIKIT" (1937)--- SAMPAGUITA PICTURES' DEBUT MOVIE/ UPDATED

Sampaguita Pictures was established in 1937 by Pedro Vera. Their first movie, Bituing Marikit, a commercial hit in 1937, starred the biggest star at that time, Elsa Oria, the Philippines' singing nightingale. The movie, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, also starred Rogelio dela Rosa and Ely Ramos.

"Bituing Marikit" — Extended at the Grand 

Acclaimed as the best local super-muslcal production, "Bituing Marikit," Sampaguita's debut picture, has for the last week broken all the past box-office records set by other pictures of the kind." Failing to house the enormous crowd

Who daily stormed the Grand Theatre, especially during the last few days, its showing automatically had to be extended by popular request. Starred in "Bituing Marikit," Elsa Oria, the Singing Sweetheart of the Philippines, reveals the best performance in her screen career. Her superb vocal renditions prove her undoubtful talent as a screen diva. She is teamed with the screen idol, Rogelio de la Rosa. The cast also includes the radio Romeo, Ely Ramos, with Silvia Rosales, Teddy Benavides, Natl Rubi, Billy Vizcarra and supported by several radio stars including Baron "Amateur"Unterhelsen.

(The Tribune, January 5, 1938)


"Bituing Marikit" (1937)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date: December 12-20, 1937Savoy Theater
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Elsa Oria, Rogelio dela Rosa, Ely Ramos, Silvia Rosales, Teddy Benavides, Nati Rubi, Billy Vizcarra







Sunday, September 21, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: YOLANDA MARQUEZ, ANGEL ESMERALDA, TEDDY BENAVIDES, TITA DURAN, FEDERICO QUERY, CASIMIRO PADILLA IN "MILAGRO NG NAZARENO SA QUIAPO (THE MIRACLE)" (1937)

"Revealing the most unusual story of miracle, love and faith..." says the ad in this 1937 movie, "Milagro ng Nazareno sa Quiapo (The Miracle)." The movie, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, starred Yolanda Marquez, Angel Esmeralda, Teddy Benavides, Tita Duran, Federico Query, Casimiro Padilla and others.

It was released and shown at Fox Theater, July 26, 1937.


"Milagro ng Nazareno sa Quiapo (The Miracle)" (1937)
Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.
Release Date July 26, 1937/ Fox Theater
Written and Adapted by Luis F. Nolasco and Carlos Vander Tolosa
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Yolanda Marquez, Angel Esmeralda, Teddy Benavides, Tita Duran, Federico Query, Casimiro Padilla and others

Friday, September 19, 2025

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELSA ORIA, ANGEL ESMERALDA, TITO AREVALO, PRIMA VERA IN "NASAAN KA IROG" (1937)/ UPDATED

"Elsa Oria, most popular among the feminine stars of the local screen, outshines her previous artistic triumphs in the grand musical production "Nasaan Ka Irog" of the Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc. In this picture, she plays the leading role to which she imparts all her acting and singing ability.

Never before than now has Elsa Oria revealed her artistic prowess. From the most difficult scenes to the minutest detail, she has demonstrated her dominion over the art. The young actors, Angel Esmeralda and Toto Arevalo, and the new 'find,' Prima Vera, a popular KZRM songstress who was contracted by the Parlatone, are prominently featured in the cast together with Ding Yalong, the SSS Trio, the DZRM Jaxxtocrats, the string orchestra Moonlight Troubadours, etc.

Elsa Oria sings in this picture the tuneful kundiman 'Nasaan Ka Irog' of the late Nicanor Abelardo, accompanied by a symphony orchestra of eighty master musicians." 
(The Tribune, March 1937)
=======================================
It is a pity that no movies or even short clips of pre-war star Elsa Oria ever existed where we can watch her act, dance and sing. Ms. Oria, dubbed as the singing sweetheart of the Philippines, was a box-office queen during her time and most of her movies were sensational hits. She was also known as the "Jeanette McDonald" of Philippine movies and best remembered in musical hit movies like Nasaan Ka Irog, Bituing Marikit and Madaling Araw.



"Nasaan Ka Irog" (1937)
Parlatone Hispano-Filipino Inc.
Release Date: March 11, 1937Fox Theater
Music the late Nicanor Abelardo, Miguel Velarde, Jr., Leon Ignacio, Juan Silos, Jr., and Benito Trapaga
Director
 Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Elsa Oria, Angel Esmeralda, Tito Arevalo, Prima Vera and the SSS Trio, Bimbo, Moonlight Troubadours, Parlatone Symphony Orchestra, etc.






Elsa Oria

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