Monday, April 21, 2025


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Cashless toll collection, muling ipapatupad sa Marso 15

MAYNILA. Muling ipatutupad ng Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) ang cashless o contactless toll collection sa lahat ng expressway simula Marso 15, 2025, ayon sa kanilang anunsyo nitong Sabado.

Ayon sa TRB, kasunod ito ng ilang buwang dry-run ng programa upang matiyak ang maayos na pagpapatupad ng cashless toll collection initiative.

“All motor vehicles travelling along the toll expressways are mandatorily required to have Valid ETC Device/Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sticker installed on them,” ayon sa ahensya.

Matatandaang unang ipinatupad ang cashless toll collection program noong Disyembre 2020 ngunit sinuspinde dahil sa ilang operational issues.

“This program intends to optimize the use of all the toll lanes/plazas through the utilization of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) System,” pahayag ng TRB.

Dagdag pa ng ahensya, ang mga sasakyang walang valid ETC Device/RFID Sticker ay papayagang makapasok sa toll lane o plaza ngunit kinakailangang kabitan ng ETC Device/RFID Sticker sa itinalagang lugar matapos ang toll plaza o sa pinakamalapit na installation site.

“However, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), through its deputized personnel, will issue against them either a Temporary Operator’s Permit or a Show Cause Order for violating the ‘No Valid ETC Device, No Entry’ Policy under the DOTr/LTO/TRB’s Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, and will be meted the corresponding penalty/ies,” ayon pa sa TRB.

Ayon sa TRB, napansin nilang ang mga dedicated toll lanes para sa cash-paying motorists ay madalas na nagkakaroon ng mahabang pila ng sasakyan, na nagiging sanhi ng pagsikip ng daloy ng trapiko sa ETC designated lanes.

“It is expected that a better and more efficient flow of traffic will result once these lanes are strictly used for ETC only,” ayon sa kanila.

Hinihikayat ng TRB ang mga motoristang wala pang ETC Device/RFID Sticker na kumuha na nito upang maiwasan ang multa at abala sa pagbiyahe.

Bukod dito, tiniyak ng ahensya na kanilang pangangasiwaan at pasisimplehin ang proseso ng “ETC Device/RFID Sticker application and installation.”

“The installation of ETC Device/RFID Sticker is free, and there is no required maintaining balance. ETC/RFID subscribers may load the exact amount of toll fees needed to travel along the toll expressway. All of these are meant to make it easy and more convenient to the motorists,” pahayag ng TRB.

Unique and fascinating Valentine’s Day traditions across Asia

Valentine’s Day may have originated in the West, but across Asia, countries have infused the celebration with their own cultural twists. From mass weddings in the Philippines to symbolic chocolate exchanges in Japan, here’s how different nations mark the day of love.

The Philippines: A Nation of Mass Weddings

No country celebrates Valentine’s Day quite like the Philippines, where mass weddings have become a major tradition. Every February 14, local governments sponsor public ceremonies, enabling hundreds of couples to tie the knot without the financial burden of a grand wedding.

Japan: A Sweet Exchange

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is all about women giving chocolates to men—but not all chocolates are the same.

  • Giri-choco (義理チョコ), or “courtesy chocolates,” are given to friends and colleagues as a token of appreciation.
  • Honmei-choco (本命チョコ), meaning “true love chocolates,” are reserved for romantic interests. One month later, on White Day (March 14), men return the favor, often with grander gifts.

South Korea: Three Times the Celebration

South Korea takes things a step further with three designated days:

  • February 14 – Women give chocolates to men.
  • March 14 (White Day) – Men reciprocate with gifts.
  • April 14 (Black Day) – Singles gather to eat jjajangmyeon (지지앙면), or black bean noodles, as a lighthearted way to acknowledge their single status.

China: The Traditional Qixi Festival

While many couples in China celebrate Valentine’s Day with gifts and flowers, the Qixi Festival, held on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, is often considered the country’s true “Chinese Valentine’s Day.” Inspired by the legendary tale of a cowherd and a weaver girl who reunite once a year, Qixi is a time for couples to express their devotion. Some visit temples to pray for love, while others showcase embroidery as a tribute to enduring romance.

Malaysia & Singapore: Love and Floating Mandarins

Beyond traditional Valentine’s Day celebrations, Malaysia and Singapore observe the Chap Goh Meh Festival on the 15th day of Lunar New Year. Single women write their names and wishes on mandarins before tossing them into rivers, hoping to attract a good husband. Men then retrieve the floating fruits, symbolizing a potential romantic match.

Indonesia: Love Meets Tradition

In some regions of Indonesia, public Valentine’s Day celebrations are discouraged due to cultural and religious beliefs. However, Bali hosts the annual Omed-Omedan, or “Bali Kissing Festival,” where unmarried villagers aged 17 to 30 take part in a playful mass hugging and kissing ritual.

India: The Rise of Valentine’s Week

In India, Valentine’s Week has surged in popularity, with young people marking each day with symbolic gestures:

  • February 7 – Rose Day
  • February 8 – Propose Day
  • February 9 – Chocolate Day
  • February 10 – Teddy Day
  • February 11 – Promise Day
  • February 12 – Hug Day
  • February 13 – Kiss Day
  • February 14 – Valentine’s Day Despite growing enthusiasm, some conservative groups oppose the celebration, seeing it as a Western influence.

Thailand: Love is in the Air (and Underwater)

Bangkok’s Bang Rak district (which translates to “Love District”) becomes a hotspot for couples registering their marriages on Valentine’s Day, believing it brings lifelong happiness. In Trang Province, some take their love to the next level by exchanging vows underwater in a unique wedding ceremony.

Vietnam: Double the Romance

Valentine’s Day in Vietnam is particularly popular among young couples who exchange chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt gifts. Similar to Japan and South Korea, some regions also celebrate White Day on March 14, where men present gifts to women in return.

A Tapestry of Love

While Valentine’s Day remains a global celebration of love, Asia’s diverse traditions showcase the rich cultural expressions of romance. Whether it’s sharing chocolates, tossing mandarins, or taking part in mass weddings, love knows no borders.

Deadly gas explosion rocks Taiwan mall, killing 4 and injuring 26

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TAIPEI. A suspected gas explosion at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, central Taiwan, left at least four people dead and 26 others injured on Thursday, including tourists from Macau, according to local fire officials.

The blast occurred on the 12th floor, where construction work was underway, and caused structural damage from the ninth floor upwards, the Taichung Fire Department stated in an official release. Among the casualties, two of the deceased and five of the injured were tourists from Macau, authorities confirmed.

The food court on the 12th floor, where the explosion happened, had been closed for renovations at the time of the incident, the fire department added. However, the force of the blast still led to significant destruction within the building, prompting immediate rescue operations.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health reported that among the injured, one individual remains in intensive care.

In response to the tragedy, President Lai Ching-te took to Facebook, urging authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Authorities are continuing their assessment of the damage and investigating whether gas leaks or other safety lapses contributed to the deadly incident. More updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

Fuel prices set to rise next week

MANILA. Motorists should prepare for another round of fuel price hikes next week, as projected by the Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday. The anticipated increase follows international trading trends and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

According to DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero, estimated price adjustments for petroleum products next week are as follows:

  • Gasoline: Increase of ₱0.45 to ₱0.75 per liter
  • Diesel: Increase of ₱0.30 to ₱0.60 per liter
  • Kerosene: Increase of ₱0.15 to ₱0.30 per liter

Romero cited global factors contributing to the expected price hike. “This could be driven by the increasing Middle East tensions and the intensifying sanctions of [the] US to Iran and Russia,” she explained.

Final price adjustments will be confirmed after the last trading day of the week, with oil firms set to announce official price movements on Monday. The new rates will take effect the following day, Tuesday.

Earlier this week, oil companies implemented minimal rollbacks, reducing gasoline prices by ₱0.10 per liter, kerosene by ₱0.30, and diesel by ₱0.10.

The upcoming increase marks another challenge for consumers already grappling with fluctuating fuel costs, as global economic and political developments continue to impact local pump prices.

Israel and Hamas on the brink: Ceasefire threatened as hostage release stalls

JERUSALEM/CAIRO. Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated once again, threatening to derail the fragile 42-day ceasefire that has temporarily halted the devastating 16-month war in Gaza. Israel has issued a stern warning that “all hell will break loose” if Hamas does not proceed with a scheduled hostage release by Saturday, while Hamas accuses Israel of failing to meet its commitments under the truce.

The dispute erupted when Hamas declared that it would delay the next planned hostage release, citing Israel’s failure to deliver the agreed-upon aid, including tents and other critical supplies. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have made it clear that a failure to release the hostages would result in the immediate resumption of military operations.

“If Hamas stops releasing the hostages, then there is no deal and there is war,” Katz warned during a military briefing on Wednesday, echoing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric. He emphasized that Israel’s military was prepared to launch a new offensive in Gaza if Hamas did not comply with the agreement.

Hamas, however, has insisted that it remains committed to the ceasefire terms. “Accordingly, Hamas reaffirms its commitment to implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timeline,” the group stated on Thursday. Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya has been engaged in urgent talks with Egyptian security officials in Cairo, while both Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working to resolve the deadlock.

Despite the threats, there are indications that a compromise might be reached. An Egyptian official involved in the negotiations revealed that both parties were “close to an agreement” and that Israel had agreed to increase aid deliveries to Gaza, including mobile homes and construction equipment. Israeli officials have not officially confirmed this development, though the Israeli military agency COGAT claims that it has already facilitated the entry of 400,000 tents into Gaza.

The ceasefire deal, which took effect on January 19, stipulated that Hamas would release 33 hostages—eight of whom are presumed dead—in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. So far, 21 hostages have been freed. However, Hamas argues that Israel has not honored its end of the bargain, particularly in allowing sufficient aid into Gaza.

As tensions mount, an unexpected development has further fueled the crisis. On Thursday, the Israeli military reported that Hamas had fired a rocket from Gaza, violating the ceasefire agreement. Hamas officials claim that the missile was an unexploded Israeli ordinance that ignited while being moved away from a residential area, but Israel responded with an airstrike on the launcher.

The high-stakes standoff comes amid growing international concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza. “We have seen improvement in some ways, but certainly, the response is nowhere near enough to meet the needs of so many people who face so much destruction and loss,” said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council. She confirmed that while aid deliveries have continued, significant challenges remain due to Israeli restrictions on materials deemed to have dual military uses.

Meanwhile, widespread protests have erupted in Israel, with thousands taking to the streets demanding that Netanyahu uphold the ceasefire and secure the return of the remaining hostages. Israeli security cabinet member Avi Dichter downplayed Hamas’ ability to renegotiate terms, stating, “There’s a deal. They won’t be able to give anything less than what is in the deal.”

The war, which began after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in catastrophic casualties. Israeli sources report at least 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken in the initial attack, while Gaza’s health officials estimate that more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing Israeli bombardment.

With the deadline for the next hostage release fast approaching, all eyes are on Cairo, where negotiations continue. If a breakthrough is not reached, the ceasefire’s collapse could plunge the region back into full-scale conflict, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis and pushing the Middle East closer to wider war.

Doc Willie Ong umatras sa laban sa pagka-senador

MAYNILA. Hindi na itutuloy ni Doc Willie Ong ang kaniyang kandidatura sa pagka-senador sa darating na 2025 midterm elections upang bigyang-pansin ang kaniyang kalusugan.

“I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections so I can focus more on taking care of my health,” anunsyo ni Ong sa kaniyang Facebook account nitong Pebrero 13.

Nagpahayag siya ng pasasalamat sa mga sumuporta at nanalangin para sa kaniya, sabay pangakong patuloy na susuporta sa mabuting pamamahala at mga adhikaing katulad ng sa kaniya.

“Our advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in my private capacity,” dagdag pa niya.

Matatandaang noong nakaraang taon ay isiniwalat ni Ong na siya ay may abdominal cancer o sarcoma. Sa kabila nito, nag-file pa rin siya ng kaniyang certificate of candidacy (CoC) para sa 2025 elections, gaya ng ginawa niya noong 2022 nang tumakbo siya bilang bise presidente, bagamat hindi siya pinalad na manalo.

Vince Dizon appointed as new DOTr secretary, replacing Jaime Bautista 

MANILA. Vince Dizon has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), replacing Jaime Bautista, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed on Thursday.

Dizon, who previously served as the President of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and as a presidential adviser on COVID-19 response, is set to assume office on February 21, 2025.

“He is already authorized by the Office of the President to start the transition at the DOTr in coordination with the team of Secretary Jaime Bautista, who has resigned due to health reasons,” Bersamin said in a message to reporters.

Bautista Steps Down for Health Reasons

In a statement, the DOTr confirmed that Bautista is stepping down to focus on his health after serving in the department since 2022.

“Sec. Bautista thanked the President for the opportunity to work in government, which he considered his most challenging stint,” the statement read.

The DOTr also quoted Bautista describing his role as “most enriching, having served with utmost integrity.” The outgoing secretary expressed his intention to ensure a smooth transition before taking a much-needed vacation to recuperate.

Dizon’s appointment marks a major shift in the leadership of the country’s transport sector, with expectations that he will continue infrastructure projects and address pressing transport issues.

Netanyahu warns of renewed Gaza offensive if hostages are not released by Saturday

JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning that Israel will resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to release additional hostages by Saturday. He has instructed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for potential renewed combat operations.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions over the implementation of the current ceasefire. Hamas announced on Monday—and reiterated on Tuesday—that it intends to delay the release of three hostages, accusing Israel of failing to fulfill its commitments, including the allowance of an agreed-upon quantity of humanitarian aid, such as tents and other supplies, into Gaza.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, following a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday, voiced skepticism about Hamas’s willingness to comply with the release agreement.

“I don’t think they’re going to make the deadline, personally,” Trump stated. “They want to play tough guy. We’ll see how tough they are.”

Since the ceasefire commenced, Hamas has released 21 hostages in five exchanges in return for over 730 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement outlines a second phase requiring the release of all remaining hostages and an indefinite extension of the truce. However, Trump’s remarks about the situation have further complicated the already fragile ceasefire negotiations.

It remains unclear whether Netanyahu’s ultimatum applies solely to the three hostages scheduled for release on Saturday or to all remaining captives. His office issued a statement confirming, “The Prime Minister welcomes President Trump’s demand.”

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Israel is aligning its stance with Trump’s expectations regarding the hostages. “We are sticking to President Trump’s announcement regarding the release of the hostages. Namely, that they will all be released on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office has ordered Israeli forces to mobilize near the Gaza Strip in preparation for any potential military action.

Trump has urged Israel to abandon the ceasefire entirely if Hamas does not release all of the estimated 70 remaining hostages by Saturday. However, Hamas rejected this demand, reiterating its claim that Israel has violated the ceasefire terms.

“Hamas must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties. This is the only way to bring back prisoners,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. “The language of threats has no value; it only complicates matters.”

Hamas further condemned Trump’s remarks at the White House, characterizing them as a “call for ethnic cleansing” and accusing him of attempting to “eliminate the Palestinian cause and deny the national rights of the Palestinian people.”

While Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire in an official statement, it did not clarify its stance on the suspension of scheduled hostage releases.

Trump’s meeting with King Abdullah II in Washington was accompanied by mounting pressure on Jordan to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza, potentially permanently, as part of what Trump has described as a broader effort to reshape the Middle East.

“We’re not going to buy anything. We’re going to have it,” Trump said regarding U.S. control of Gaza, as King Abdullah stood beside him.

The Jordanian king did not make substantive comments on Trump’s vision for the region or on the possibility of taking in displaced Palestinians. However, he did express Jordan’s willingness to accept up to 2,000 sick children from Gaza in urgent need of medical treatment.

Last week, the World Health Organization reported that between 12,000 and 14,000 patients in Gaza require medical evacuation, including 5,000 children.

Palestinians and the international community have reacted with anger to Trump’s recent statements suggesting that Palestinians forcibly expelled from Gaza would not have a right to return.

Under the initial phase of the ceasefire, Hamas had committed to releasing 33 hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. In exchange, Israel pledged to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Five prisoner exchanges have taken place since January 19.

If no agreement is reached regarding the second phase of the ceasefire, the war could resume as early as March. However, Israel may face a more complex battlefield than before. Having initially displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, Israel has since allowed many to return to the ruins of their homes, potentially complicating further military operations in the region.

The situation remains volatile, with the coming days likely to determine whether the ceasefire holds or military conflict resumes.

Trump claims Putin and Zelenskiy want peace, orders U.S. officials to start talks on ending Ukraine war

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have expressed their willingness to negotiate peace in separate phone calls with him on Wednesday. Following these discussions, Trump directed top U.S. officials to initiate negotiations to end the Ukraine war.

The calls took place amid a significant shift in Washington’s stance on the conflict, with Trump’s defense secretary signaling that Ukraine may have to abandon its long-held aspirations of NATO membership and reclaim all of its Russian-occupied territories.

After speaking with Putin for over an hour, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the Russian leader was open to a resolution. “He wants it to end. He doesn’t want to end it and then go back to fighting six months later,” Trump stated.

“I think we’re on the way to getting peace. I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelenskiy wants peace, and I want peace. I just want to see people stop getting killed,” he added.

Trump-Putin Meeting in the Works

The Kremlin confirmed that Trump and Putin had agreed to meet, with Putin extending an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow. Trump said their first meeting would “probably” take place soon in Saudi Arabia.

Trump also announced on his social media platform that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff would spearhead negotiations to end the war.

Zelenskiy Discusses Peace and Military Capabilities

Following Trump’s conversation with Putin, he spoke with Zelenskiy, with the Ukrainian leader’s office confirming that their call lasted about an hour.

“I had a meaningful conversation with @POTUS. We… talked about opportunities to achieve peace, discussed our readiness to work together …and Ukraine’s technological capabilities… including drones and other advanced industries,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.

No formal Ukraine peace talks have taken place since the early months of the war, which is now approaching its third anniversary. Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, maintained a policy of strong military and financial aid to Kyiv while refusing direct engagement with Putin after the invasion began.

Currently, Russia occupies around 20% of Ukraine’s territory and has demanded additional territorial concessions, along with a guarantee that Ukraine will remain permanently neutral. Ukraine, on the other hand, insists on Russia’s full withdrawal and seeks either NATO membership or equivalent security assurances to prevent future invasions.

European Powers Demand a Seat at the Table

Britain, France, and Germany emphasized on Wednesday that they must be involved in any future peace talks concerning Ukraine. They insisted that only a fair agreement with robust security guarantees could ensure lasting stability. European leaders also pledged to enhance their support for Ukraine to strengthen its bargaining position.

U.S. Defense Chief: NATO Membership ‘Unrealistic’ for Ukraine

Earlier on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made one of the Trump administration’s clearest statements on its approach to the conflict, declaring that Kyiv could not realistically expect to reclaim all its lost territory or join NATO.

“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” Hegseth told NATO officials in Brussels. “Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, a move widely condemned by Ukraine and its Western allies.

Hegseth suggested that any lasting peace agreement must include strong security guarantees to prevent a future war, but he clarified that U.S. troops would not be stationed in Ukraine as part of such an agreement.

Zelenskiy Proposes U.S.-Ukraine Investment Deal

With Trump shaping Washington’s Ukraine policy, Zelenskiy has sought to keep U.S. support by proposing an economic deal under which the U.S. would invest in Ukraine’s mineral resources.

Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who visited Kyiv on Wednesday—the first visit by a Trump administration cabinet member—expressed interest in the proposal. He suggested that such an investment deal could serve as a “security shield” for Ukraine in the post-war period.

Meanwhile, Trump confirmed that Rubio and Vice President JD Vance will discuss the Ukraine war at an upcoming meeting in Munich, coinciding with an annual security conference attended by Ukrainian officials.

U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap Sparks Optimism

The new diplomatic efforts follow a high-profile U.S.-Russia prisoner swap on Tuesday, which the Kremlin described as a step toward rebuilding trust between the two nations.

Russia released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been serving a 14-year sentence, in exchange for a Russian cybercrime boss imprisoned in the U.S. A U.S. official involved in the negotiations noted that the swap was a sign of potential progress in broader diplomatic talks between Washington and Moscow.

As Trump moves forward with his push for peace, all eyes remain on how his proposed negotiations will unfold and whether a breakthrough in the long-running war can be achieved.

Bagong bersyon ng Aba Ginoong Maria, inaprubahan ng CBCP

MAYNILA. Opisyal nang inaprubahan ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) ang revised Filipino version ng panalanging Hail Mary.

Ayon kay Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, secretary general ng CBCP, ang bagong bersyon ay hindi naman tuluyang pinalitan ang kasalukuyang Tagalog na panalangin na Aba Ginoong Maria, kundi layunin nitong magbigay ng mas tapat at tumpak na interpretasyon mula sa orihinal na Latin na teksto.

“Inaprubahan ng mga obispo ang revised ‘Ave Maria’ sa Conference plenary assembly noong Enero,” pahayag ni Pantin.

Sa isang opisyal na pahayag, binigyang-diin ng CBCP na ang ginawang rebisyon ay nakabatay sa mahahalagang prinsipyo, kabilang ang katumpakan sa Bibliya, pagiging simple, pagiging madasalin, at pagiging naaangkop sa kasalukuyang panahon. Dagdag pa rito, isinasaalang-alang din ang synodality—o ang pagkakaisa ng buong Simbahan—sa pagsasalin ng panalangin.

Ang desisyong ito ay bahagi ng paghahanda ng Simbahang Katolika para sa pagdiriwang ng Jubilee Year 2025. Bukod dito, ngayong taon din ay ginugunita ang ika-50 anibersaryo ng pastoral letter ng CBCP tungkol sa Mahal na Birheng Maria, na may pamagat na Ang Mahal na Birheng Maria, na inilabas noong Pebrero 2, 1975.