It's Me, Gracee: Cook Magazine

COOK Magazine’s 9th K-Pop Holiday Bash

Cook Magazine Monday, December 02, 2019

The Cook Magazine Team; from left: Account Manager Maribel Avelis, Editor in Chief Dino Datu, Managing Editor Magnolia Silvestre, Account Manager Leah Bonotan, Publisher T. Anthony Cabangon Chua, Advertising Sales Manager Marlon Aldenese, Graphic Artist Shaira Barnuevo, and Account Manager Michael Pituc

It’s that time of year again! For the 9th straight year, COOK Magazine has been throwing a thanksgiving party for all our friends and supporters. This year, we’re going K-Pop! Quirky, fun-loving and full of energy, K-Pop or Korean pop culture has taken the world by storm. While COOK Magazine hasn’t conquered the world just yet, our team is composed of mixed bag of quirks, unique personalities that come together each and every month to produce a magazine distinctly our own. At 19 years, COOK has been in the industry far longer than most. In fact, we’re the only monthly culinary magazine published now, a feat possible only through your support.

COOK’s 9th Holiday Bash is also an opportunity for our friends and advertisers to let loose a little, to bring out their fun and creative selves. We can’t be all work and no play! After another year of grinding, of partnerships and collaborations, it’s now time celebrate!

Certificates were awarded to COOK Magazine’s top advertisers: HÄFELE PHILIPPINES (BOSCH), SHARP PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, F1 HOTEL MANILA, EXCELLENCE APPLIANCES TECHNOLOGIES INC. (WHIRLPOOL & FUJIDENZO APPLIANCES), KING SUE, MEGA GLOBAL CORPORATION (MEGA PRIME), HYUNDAI HOME APPLIANCES, DERMALINE INC. (DIANA STALDER), RICHMONDE HOTELS, PHOENIX PETROLEUM PHILIPPINES, INC. (PHOENIX SUPER LPG), and HAVAS MEDIA (PHOENIX SUPER LPG). A Special Award was given to COOK’s Magazine Venue Partner HOUSE MANILA.

Some of COOK Magazine’s columnists were also on hand to receive their certificates of appreciation. Consultant and Chef Theodore “Day” Salonga, Chef Bruce Lim, Award-winning Baker Chef Gel Salonga-Datu, Recipe Developer and Consultant Chef Editha Singian, Baker and Instructor Chef Jojo Cuesta-Javier, Pastry Chef and Instructor Edward Mateo, Culture and Travel and Food Writer Roel Hoang Manipon and UK based travel writer and photographer Lisa Asuncion-Feliciano are the magazine’s regular columnists.

COOK Magazine’s yearly theme has become a costume event wherein guests who take the trouble to wear the prescribed attire get to walk the “runway” stage. This year’s theme is K-Pop. This was also an opportunity for Lariza Garcia, COOK’s grand prize winner three years running, to transfer her literal crown. Wearing an authentic embroidered fuschia hanbok that she borrowed from a Korea-based friend, Lariza said she had it flown specifically for the event, which she has to dry clean and immediately send back. This kind of effort reminds us why she is in our Hall of Fame. Second Runner-Up went to budding instagram influencer Sylvester Sy, First Runner-Up is Chef Lena Tan-Arcenas, Culinary Services Manager of San Miguel Foods Culinary Center who channeled a K-Pop Schoolgirl complete with a Blackpink lightstick. She said she consulted her daughter for the look who advised her that her the attire shouldn’t be matchy-matchy. First place went to Joe Abad (technically), but he and Chuck Aquino, are more popularly known collectively as IG influencers “Chuck and Joe” presented their BTS inspired animal prints with a short choreography.

Hundreds of raffle prizes such as appliances, hotel restaurant buffets and overnight stays at the country’s top hotels were given away. The grand prizes include a refrigerator from Whirpool, a stove from Tecnogas, a SHARP TV, and a 3-day, 2-night stay at Maribago Blue Water Hotel in Bohol complete with a round trip airfare for 2 pax from Cebu Pacific.

Perry Gamboa, Choi Soriano, and COOK Advertising Manager Marlon Aldenese hosted the event.

Food and Wine

Because food and dining is the crux of what COOK Magazine is all about, expectations are always high when we hold this bash that the food will be good and plentiful; and for that, we can only thank the generosity of our sponsors and friends, without whom this holiday feast would not be possible.

Selah Hotel is located at 715 Park Ave, Pasay, Metro Manila which offered: Assorted Maki, Caesar Salad, Spinach and Crab Meat Soup, Pork Spareribs with Smoked Hickory Sauce, Chicken Cordon Bleu with Tartar Sauce, Mixed Tempura, Chicken Parmesan Pasta, Brocolli with Beef Tendon, Baklava Fingers, Mango Ball Tapioca

The Aristocrat Restaurant is certainly a restaurant that needs no introduction, and they offer their most iconic dishes: 3- pc Chicken Barbecue with Java Rice,

For over 15 years, Cowboy Grill has been the place for live bands, great food where everybody can enjoy. Entrance to their establishments is free and everybody is welcome to the party. On their Holiday Bash Table: Rice, Bam-i, Pork Sisig, Steamed Vegetables, Beef Caldereta, Adobo, Coffee Jelly

Kabaleyan Eatery came all the way from Pangasinan to give a taste of the province’s flavors and their own unique take on local cuisine: Binagoongang Pork Adobo, Roasted Bagoong Chicken, Urdujas Pinakbet, Binalonan Pasta.

Lydia’s Lechon, home of the Philippines’ original boneless lechon stuffed with seafood paella, has been serving its customers for more than 50 years, from a small stall in Baclaran to over 25 stores. Lydia’s Lechon aims to bring Filipino dishes like how it’s made at home, along with its signature best lechon recipe that’s been with the family since the 1960’s.

From COOK Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Chef Dino Datu prepared Braised Canadian Beef Cheeks in Red Wine. The Strip Loin is sponsored by the Embassy of Canada. Canada Beef is committed to ensuring that Filipino consumers are able to enjoy Canadian beef through selected brand partners in the Philippines.

Brooklyn Pizza, "A Slice of New York" is a Filipino corporation known for authentic New York pizzas. They offer New York-style comfort food with a Filipino touch with pizza, pasta, rice meals.

Everybody looks forward to the innovative tweaks on native delicacies from Aging’s Food Delight: Assorted Kakanin, Ube Pandesal with Cheese and Halaya, Crinkles, Cookies, Choco Butternut Slice, Suman Cake

Chef Jojo Cuesta Javier’s Sweetielicious Homemade Goodies presented a Cherry Blossom themed Cake and cupcakes. Chef Edward Mateo’s Royal Patisserie provided delicious cupcakes. Cake of Hearts by July Abella Panganiban also had a glamour girl and High fashion brands themed dessert spread to complement the K-Pop Theme.

All that feasting wouldn’t be complete without the classic red and white wines provided by Gato Negro Wines and demi-sec sparkling rosè wines from Woomera.

At Cook Magazine, the love for food has taken us everywhere. This same passion for food is what we’d like to share with our most ardent supporters. By feeding you what we cooked ourselves and those prepared by our friends, we aim to keep the fire burning. May our partnerships last for another 20 years and beyond.

We would also like to express our sincerest gratitude to those who’ve made the Holiday Bash a success. To Holiday Inn Express and House Manila, who year after year have provided a home for our annual party, thank you. COOK magazine would like to thank the following:

FOOD AND DRINK SPONSORS:

• Aging’s Food Delight • Brooklyn’s New York Pizza • The Aristocrat Restaurant Since 1936 • Canadian Beef • Cowboy Grill, Since 1994 • Gato Negro Wines • Kabaleyan Eatery The Original Pangasinense Dishes • Lydia’s Lechon • Royal Patisserie • Selecta • Sweetielicious Homemade Goodies • The Selah Garden Hotel • Woomera Wines

OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

• Beans Etcetera • Belmont Hotels & Resorts • Bluewater Resorts • Boracay Tropics Resort Hotel • Bosch Invented For Life • Bank of The Philippine Islands • Cadbury Dairy Milk • Caeli Gourmet • Cebu Pacific • Century Park Hotel • Cheez Whiz • City Of Dreams Manila • Coco Mama • Cookiebreak.Ph • Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria • Dermablend • Diana Stalder • Direct To Consumer Promos, Inc. • Eastwood Richmonde Hotel • Eden • Eurotel • F1 Hotel Manila • Fujidenzo Appliances, Quality Above All • Full Circle Communications, Inc. • Gardenia • Glorious Blend • Harvest Hotel • Hicaps • Hightower • Hotel Celeste • Hotel Jen Manila • King Sue Since 1930 • Knorr Sure Lasap • Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar • Makati Diamond Residences • Marca Piña • Marco Polo Ortigas Manila • Marriott Manila • Masflex Cookware & Kitchenware • Mega Prime • Mekeni Since 1986 • Nana Nadal • Oreo • Perfect Shots Photobooth • Petron Gasul • Phoenix Super Lpg • Photoman • PRC Inc. • Richmonde Hotel Iloilo • Richmonde Hotel Ortigas • Jem J • Rite ‘N Lite • San Miguel Corporation • San Miguel Foods • Savoy Hotel Manila • Sharp • Sheraton Manila Hotel • SM • Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila • Sweet & Fit Stevia Natural Sweetener • Taal Vista Hotel • Tang • The Big Difference Communications • The Heritage Hotel • Tiger Energy • Ucc Good Coffee Smile • Unilever Food Solutions • WrecOver • Whirlpool Appliances • Winford Manila Resort & Casino

OUR MEDIA PARTNERS:

• Business Mirror • Philippines Graphic • Health & Fitness • DWIZ 882 • Home Radio 97.9 • CNN Philippines • WNOT - What’s New Out There

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COOK Magazine Marks 18th Year with a Slumber Ball

Cook Magazine Tuesday, November 20, 2018

For the past 8 years, COOK Magazine has been holding an annual thanksgiving party for its advertisers, columnists and friends. This year’s celebration, “Slumber Ball – A High Gloss Pajama Party”, was conceptualized by the COOK team to provide their guests with a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere.

The theme reflects the working environment at COOK - laid-back, filled with dreamy food and recipes, and lots of fun and laughter. While publishing a monthly magazine isn’t a walk in the park, 18 years in the industry is proof that when you do what you love, it won’t ever feel like work.

Cook Magazine Team

This yearly celebration is an opportunity to personally thank all of their advertisers for their continued support of COOK through the years and the highlight of the evening is the awarding of all the top advertisers. It also gives the COOK team a chance to introduce themselves, along with their columnists and contributors – everyone involved in making COOK Magazine what it is. As the longest running and only monthly culinary magazine in the country today, they’ve outlasted the trends, the ups and downs, even the shift to other platforms. They’re very proud of this achievement but they know that without all the support from advertisers and friends in the industry, COOK Magazine wouldn’t exist -

so in behalf of Cook Magazine - Thank you!

As a simple way of showing their gratitude, they’re sharing with you the very thing that has fueled COOK Magazine’s 18 years – the love for food. What else could they do better than feed the ones they love?

Cook Magazine would like to thank House Manila, for again providing everyone with an awesome venue. COOK’s very own Editor-in-Chief, Chef Dino Datu has prepared something for the guests, courtesy of Canadian Beef. They would also like to thank the caterers, friends from Chefwix Catering who prepared a spread of Buttered Vegetables, Creamy Pesto Chicken and Indonesian Pork BBQ Spareribs. Cowboy Grill prepared some Pork Sisig, Beef Caldereta Adobo, Chicken Teriyaki, Steamed Veggies and Coffee Jelly for dessert. Kitchen Seventy-One owned by Chef Jhic De Guzman Dimagiba prepared Beef Caldereta, Thai Grilled Porkchop, Cajun Chicken and Baked Mac. Pedro ‘N Coi presents their specialty Filipino dishes like Pansit, Pakbet, Sisig, Bistek, Roast Chicken and their famous Pinoy street food, Tunog Kalye (fish ball). Since no celebration is complete without lechon, no less than the famous crispy lechon from Lydia’s Lechon is present. For sweet endings, there’s the Cheese Bar, Inutak, Assorted Kakanin, Pastillas Pops, Suman Cake, Pastillas Cake and Latik Fondue served by Aging’s Food Delight and delectable desserts from Sweetilicious Homemade Goodies by Chef Jojo Cuesta-Javier. Our friends generously provided us drinks too! Fill your glasses with drinks from: Lick Iced Tea, Coffee from the Illy booth, Gato Negro Wines and the Open Bar of House Manila.

Lucky guests took home major prizes such as the Bosch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, Whirlpool Refrigerator, Bosch Mum Kitchen Machine (All in one food processor and mixer), Bosch Universal Slicer, Tecnogas Oven, and two sets of a seven piece induction cookware from Masflex. Other prizes raffled off included hotel accommodations, round trip ticket, gift certificates for buffets and spas, water filter, skin care products, and a whole lot more.

As per tradition, guests wearing the most dazzling sleepwear had a fashion parade with a prize awarded to the one with the best outfit. Mayda Chua provided the night's entertainment by serenading the crowd. The event was hosted Choi Soriano and COOK Magazine's Advertising Manager Marlon Aldenese.

Some of the booths at the Cook Magazine's Holiday Bash!

Cook Magazine’s would again like to convey their sincerest gratitude to House Manila, their official venue partner. A million thanks to the following for supporting Cook Magazine's 18th anniversary and 8th Holiday Bash: Apo View Hotel, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Bluewater Resorts, Boracay Tropics, Bosch Appliances, Century Park Hotel, Cheez Whiz, City of Dreams, Dermablend, Diana Stalder, Dusit Thani Manila, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Eden, Eurotel, Excellence Appliance Technologies, F1 Hotel Manila, Fujidenzo Appliances, Gato Negro, Ginebra San Miguel, Gold Seas, Grand Hyatt Manila, Häfele Philippines, Harvest Hotel, High Tower, Hotel Celeste, Hotel H2O, Icon Hotel, Illy, Ivo, Jpark Island Resort & Waterparks, King Sue, Kitsho, Laketown Inc., Lick Iced Tea, Luljetta’s Place Garden Suites, Luxent Hotel, Makati Diamond Residences, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Maria Clara Sangria, Masflex Cookware & Kitchen, Mega Prime, Mega Sardines, Mega Tuna, Mondelez International, Movenpick Resort & Spa Boracay, New World Hotel Makati, Omni Channel Marketing, Oreo, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Perfect Shots Photobooth, Perk Communications, Petron Gasul, Photoman, PRC Inc., Rebel Marketing, Resorts World Manila, Rhodesian Sales Corp., Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, San Miguel Corporation, San Miguel Purefoods Culinary Center, Skechers Go Walk, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, South Carolina Beverages Incorporated, Stratworks Marketing Communications, Taal Vista Hotel, Tang, Tecnogas Appliances, The Henry Hotel, The Heritage Manila, Thousand Miles Travel, UCC, and Whirlpool Appliances.

That's me in my bed pajamas! Thank you Cook Magazine for inviting us!

Cook Magazine would like to thank their media partners: Business Mirror, Philippines Graphic, Health & Fitness, WNOT What’s New Out There, DWIZ 882 and Home Radio 97.9.

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Barangay Home Cook Pa More: Bigger and Better on its 2nd year

Barangay Home Cook Pa More Wednesday, December 06, 2017

COOK Magazine, the only monthly magazine dedicated to food and cooking, just concluded another successful run of their Barangay Home Cook Pa More! events.

This is the second year in a row that Cook Magazine has staged these events to great feedback and even bigger crowds. In August Barangay Barangka, Marikina City, was their first destination followed by Barangy Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Pasay City and Barangay Estella Maris Maybunga in Pasig City in September.

In partnership with Petron Gasul and Silka, Cook Magazine livened up barangay halls with cooking demos, product promos, exciting activities, educational talks, zumba and, of course, lots of raffle prizes made possible by the following sponsors: Athena, El Real, Nissin Ramen, Fujidenzo, Biogenic Alcohol, Mega Prime, Masflex, King Sue, Hunts, Neu Bake by Gardenia, Snackeroo’s Bits n’ Chips, Cracker Juan, Heartsies, Khong Guan Sultana Biscuits, Iced Gem, Choco Iced Gem, Rich Garden’s Cracker Juan, Mini Boy, Butter Stick, Aging’s Food Delight, Fit Bar, Quaker Oats, Moringa Vita, Mangus10, Turcumin, Diana Stalder, Dermablend, Oraherb and Maxi Atletika.

Long lines of people from all walks of life are often present as early as 8 a.m. The events start with a bang with Bingo, except the columns spell ‘c-o-o-k’. In between these fun games of Cook Bingo and raffle prizes are guest speakers and chefs who demonstrate recipe ideas to an enthusiastic crowd.

In the Marikina edition of Home Cook Pa More! Chef Julia Los Banos regaled everyone with her easy, but scrumptious, breakfast recipe, Spicy Omelette Sandwich. Using Gardenia’s Neu Bake Super Slice bread, Chef Julia cooked up an amazing breakfast baon with volunteer moms from the crowd. Aside from a delicious sandwich recipe, Chef Julia also gave away Gardenia loot bags to the most attentive people in the crowd.

Nurse Isabel Ferrer, who spoke at all three barangay events, is from the Rhodesian Co. distributor of mangosteen and moringa herbal food supplements. She talked to moms of all ages about the benefits of malunggay. As a mom herself, Nurse Isabel spoke about the importance of malunggay in breastfeeding and in the health of both mother and child.

Petron Gasul’s Safety Engr. Ric Alvin Estacio showed the crowds in Marikina, Pasay and Pasig how to properly assemble an LPG tank. He also shared home safety tips on how to properly handle LPG tanks and the differences between deroscas (screw on) and desalpak (snap on) tanks.

Chef Pepe Espenida prepared Picadillo, Tuna Burger and Aglio Oglio using Mega products for all the barangays. Chef Pepe’s enthusiastic vibe and informative approach in preparing the dishes found the crowds laughing and learning along while making the recipe. For his picadillo, Chef Pepe used Mega Prime Green Peas and Mega Prime Mushroom. The tuna burger is a mix of Mega Prime Tuna’s various flavors. Mega Creations’s Spanish Style Sardines are already appetizing, but elevates itself in the Aglio Oglio, which makes for a delectable serving fit for celebrations. Chef Pepe’s menu proved just how flexible Mega’s products are turning simple meals into memorable ones.

In between demos and raffle prizes, Brian Sanipa also leads a Zumba dance-off for moms, which ups the energy of the crowd.

Chef Greggie of Aging’s Food Delight would chose three volunteers from the crowds to recreate his carbonara and empanada recipes. The three volunteers would cook these recipes with King Sue’s Meat Products using Masflex’s kitchenware over Petron Gasul’s gasulette. While each contestant would have their own process of cooking the dish and their own signature style, Chef Greggie always guided them in the step-by-step process, and taught them how to plate the dishes.

A blackout Cook Bingo closes off the event and the crowd really gets into it, especially as the final numbers are blacked out and a winner is announced. It’s always a day of fun and prizes, and almost everyone goes home with a loot bag of food, kitchen and some beauty products.

Barangay Home Cook Pa More! will return next year with even bigger surprises for everyone.

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Cook-chella marks COOK Magazine’s 17th Year

Cook Magazine Wednesday, December 06, 2017

The country's longest running monthly food publication, COOK Magazine, celebrated 17 years with“Cook-chella” at their 7th annual Holiday Bash.

What was once conceived as a thanksgiving party in honor of the magazine’s sponsors and advertisers has become a big holiday party to include subscribers, contributors, chefs and friends --everyone who has made Cook what it is today--have all come to partake in an evening of merriment, entertainment and prizes.

The highlight of the evening is the awarding of all the top advertisers, sponsors and agencies for their continued support of the magazine. This also marks the first year anniversary of the Business Mirror COOK, Saturday Edition, which was put to print in November 2016. This insert comes out every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.T. Anthony Cabangon, Publisher of The Business Mirror and COOK Magazine, talked about the magazine’s enduring presence for 17-years and its successful inclusion in the Business Mirror’s fold.

Chef Dino Datu, COOK’s Editor-in-Chief, announced that starting next year, there will be an addition to Cook’s chef contributors, specifically in the pastry section. Analiza Badilles, better known as “Motherbee” to her countless followers, will be sharing her recipes and advocacies with Cook’s readers. An influential figure on social media, “Motherbee” will be Cook’s gateway into the social media baking groups.

One of the best things about the holiday bash is that COOK Magazine’s columnists and featured guests have a chance to showcase their food, making it a truly foodie affair. Dessert and Baking columnists Chef Jojo Cuesta Javier and Chef Edward Mateo made their signature cakes and pastries under their labels Sweetielicious Homemade Goodies and Royal Patisserie, respectively. Chef Winston Luna, who runs Chefwix Catering and 8 Tables Restaurant, served Buffalo Chicken in Ranch Dipping Sauce, Corn and Carrot Supreme, Indonesian Pork BBQ Spareribs Fish Fillet in Ranch Dipping Sauce. Aging’s Food Delight delighted us once more with a visual feast at their table as well as the best quality kakanin.

Apag Marangle showcased the kind of home-style Kapampangan cooking everyone craves with Nasing Marangle, Kare-kare, Pansit, Chicharon and atchara, Bai’s Boneless Lechon served up scrumptious lechon belly, and of course, a bash wouldn’t be complete without Lydia’s Lechon. Resorts World Manila provided Mini Reuben Sandwich, Char Kway Teo, Buffalo wings, Red Velvet Cake and Mini-Peanut Butter Cup cake while House Manila dished out cocktails and drinks at their open bar.

6 Grand Winners of the major raffle prizes of Cook Magazine's 7th Holiday Bash

The 7th Holiday Bash gave away loads of prizes such as home appliances, kitchen gadgets, Hotel and Restaurant Buffet GCs. Prizes were also awarded to those who came in their best Coachella inspired outfits and creative social media posts relating to the event.

Best in costume candidates during the 7th Holiday Bash of Cook Magazine

Winners of Instagram posts: Bloggers Gracee Bongolan, Iris Acosta and Marketing officer of Appstar Global Distributors Inc. Zeus Pasamiento

The festivities were held at House Manila in Remington Hotel, Resorts World for the 3rd straight year. Singers Mayda Doryn Chua, soprano Bettina Dadap, and Josh de la Crus provided entertainment. The event was hosted by Advertising Manager Marlon Aldenese with Choi Soriano from Harvest Hotel.

COOK Magazine on its 17th year continues to bring people together

through food.

Our event sponsors: AG New World Manila Bay Hotel, Anya Resort Tagaytay, Athena, Boracay Tropics, Bosch, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Café In The Park, Century Park Hotel, Chek Hup, Dermablend, Diana Stalder, Duru, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, El Real, Enchanted Kingdom, Excellence Appliance Technologies (EXATECH), F1 Hotel Manila, Fitbar, Fujidenzo, Gangnam Wings, Granite Gear, Grayns, Gree, Gullon, Hafele Philippines, Harvest Hotel, Hotel Celeste, Hurom Slow Juicer, Jolly, King Sue,Kitsho, Kraftheinz, La Jeunesse, Luxent Hotel, Makati Diamond Residences, Mama Sita, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Mega Prime, Mondelez International, Nissin’s Ramen, Novotel, Hotels, Suites & Resorts, Osaka Takoyaki, Party Shots Photobooth, Petron Gasul, Petron Gasul-Lista, Ph Deli, Photoman, PRC, Jack ‘n Jill Puff Corn, Punta Fuego Hotel, Quaker Oats, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Ryoaki Gas Station, San Miguel Corporation, Simple Touch, Tecnogas, The Bellevue Manila, Thousand Miles Travel, Toblerone, Whirlpool Appliances, and Yellow Tail.

Our media partners: BUSINESSMIRROR, PHILIPPINES GRAPHIC, LOCALE, HEALTH & FITNESS, WNOT What’s New Out There, DWIZHOME RADIO.

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