EPCC NEWS
May 16, 2015

FILAM LEADERS COMMENDS AMLC FOR THE FREEZE ORDER ON BINAY’ ASSETS

Los Angeles—The Filipino-American community leaders were united in commending the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) That filed a request to freeze order at the Court of Appeals(CA) on Vice-President Jojo Binay’s assets .

The Court of Appeals (CA)granted the request of AMLC and froze more than 252 accounts of Binay and his cohorts.

JFAV leader Arturo Garcia said, “It’s a victory for the anti-graft and corruption drive of the Philippine government. It only shows that the government in serious in stamping out the culture of graft and corruption that besets the Philippines.”

Anti Corruption Drive.

Guest speaker and Emmy Awards Winner Jess Espanola who discussed the development of animation in Hollywood was also appreciative of the developments on the anti-graft cases in the Philippines.

Journalist Larry Pelayo introduced the guest speaker, Jess Espanola who was the First Filipino who won the prestigious Emmy Awards in Hollywood.

He also said, “ The investigation and spade work of AMLAC cannot be discounted as the proof of rampant graft and corruption in the government. Let us see how the courts will proceed from there.”

Binay has been denying and have not appeared on the PH Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearingson the graft and corruption allegations the Binay family.

But Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said,“The finding and the request of AMLAC to freeze
Binay’s assets is a vindication of all our investigations in the Senate.

For more information on the epcc please call (213) 241-0995 or email us at [email protected]

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JFAV UPDATES
May 14, 2015

IT”S ALL SET AND GO FOR THE 3rd HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN PARADE ON JUNE 6, 2015

Los Angeles– The 3rd PH Independence Day Parade Organizing Committee (3rd HFTPIDOC) thatl organized and prepared the 117th PH Independence Day Parade on June 06, 2015 is all set for the event,

The 3rd HFT Celebrations Committee comprised of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) , Search To Involve The Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Filipino American Service Group Inc (FASGI), Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC-SC), Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), Los Angeles Land Trust (LANT). Knights of Rizal-HFT Chapter, Pilipino Women’s Club of LA(LAPWC) , the District 13 Office of Council Member Mitch O” Farrell, and the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles (PCG-LA).

The Ms. FILAM International LLC who is responsible for the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN Contest, the newly formed national organization, Pilipino American Kultural Society in Action (PAKSA), the Pilipino Institute For Language Arts and Culture (PILAC) also comprised the group.

New Groups

The binibining Pilipinas-USA, Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB), HIFI CALIEXPO, SMR LLC, Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC),HIFI Indie Film Festival LLC, Historic Filipinotown People’s Council (HFPC), Rampart Village Neighborhood Council (RVNC), People’s CORE, S4PACE recently joined the parade.

The 3rdHFTPIDOC will not be only responsible for the parade in the Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, June 6, 2015 for the 3rd time but because it will be more comprehensive and will cover the whole gamut of the celebrations of the 117t7h Philippine Independence Day, June 12, 2015

Activities Set for June 5 and 6, 2015

This time the 117th Philippine Independence Day Celebrations has grown bigger and better and will have three major features:

1) The LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN 2015 Contest that will be held on June 5 at 6:30 PM at the Castaway Restaurant in 1250 Burbank CA, 91501. The event will start at 6:30 PM . The winner of the said contest will be the LAKAMBINI NG KALAYAAN Muse for the 3rdHistoric Filipinotown Parade on the next morning, Saturday, June 06, 2105.

2) The 3rd HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN PH INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE to be held on Saturday, June 06, 2015 from 8;00 AM to 11;30 AM The parade will go around the Historic Filipinotown Temple and Beverly Corridor.

The parade assembly area will start at FACLA. 1740 W. Temple St and will assemble at 8:00 AM. The parade will start promptly at 9;00 AM and end also at 11;30 AM at the FACLA compound for an after-parade program at FACLA’s Social Hall.

3)The HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AND FAIR to be held after the parade at FACLA Cultural Center on June 6 from 12;00 to 4;00PM
There will be food trucks, food booths and service booths from different participating organizations. The public is cordially invited.

For more information/applications to participate please call Al Garcia at(213)241-0995, Sid at (213)3995042; Bernie at (323) 683-6477 or Claire at (213)484-1527 . You can also email us at [email protected] or visit our website at newfacla.org

EPCC NEWS
MAy 13, 2015

ALERT TO ALL FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS

Los Angeles–The present Greater Echo Park Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) is cooking up another scheme to emasculate the Filipino American community in Echo Park.

GEPENC is proposing to break up District 5 and creating a District 6 that they call East Beaudry District. They will make D5 as smaller district with only three (3) representatives.

District 5 at present is the most populous district and have 5 representatives. Now, they want to reduce it into a non-entity.

This is what we call GERRYMANDERING. Let us foil and frustrate this long standing scheme of some anti-Filipino elements in GEPENC.

They wish to divide us by emasculating us and foster inter-ethnic division.

HUWAG MATING PABAYAAN ANG MGA MADADAYA, INGGIT AT GALIT SA PILIPINONG ELEMENTONG ITO.

IPAGLABAN ANG DISTRICT 5 NA BUO AT IISA!

PANAHON NA MANINDIGAN TAYO! IPAGLABAN ANG HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN!

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ANNOUNCEMENT
May 11, 2015

The members oi the Board of FACLA hereby announce the extension of the filing of Candidacy and Election of the Members of COMELEC.

The new deadline of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy shall be May 15, 2015

The Elections of the Members of the COMELEC shall be May 31, 2015 at 3:00 PM.

Qualifications of a Candidate:

1.He/She must be at least twenty one (21) years of age, he/she must be a legal resident of the County of Los Angeles.

2. He/She must be a member in good standing for at least one (1) year before the Elections of Commissioners.

3> He/She must at least knowledge of the Elections Laws and U.S. Constitution and must at least have some legal background.

Austin Baul Jr.
President/CEO

LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF WEEKEND BALITA

The Editor
Mr. Rhony Laygo
WEEKEND BALITA
520 East Wilson St.
Glendale, CA 91206

May 10, 2015

Dear Editor,

In the interest of truth, objectivity and high standards of journalism, we hope you will publish FACLA’s rejoinder to the article of your contributor- writer Leo Monsalud who wrote*” Quo Vadis, FACLA ?*” that appeared inyour last issue on April 25-May 1, 2015, p.8.

Mr. Monsalud wrote some comments about FACLA and his so called “friends there at FACLA” and calls himself as a “FACLA member”, so let us answer four of his major questions:

1. On FACLA’s Membership*: Mr. Monsalud asked, *”What happened tothe* *thousands of registered members before? Is this good or bad for FACLA?”*

There were indeed thousands of members at one time in the
past, but that was because there was an election and candidates registered as many members as they can who will vote for them.

Those thousands were never active afterwards. At present FACLA is embarking on a membership drive but the NEW FACLA administration believes that it is better to start with quality membership. “Fewer but better” .

FACLA does not need thousands of registered members who are only active during elections and are dormant after elections.

That has been the practice in the past and we want to change that and we want to change for the better. We know there is strength in numbers but we cannot sacrifice quality for quantity.

Maybe that question why the membership of FACLA declined should be better addressed to former FACLA administrations. We cannot answer for the sins of the past. We are only answerable to the present and the future.

2. *On the construction of a new building*: FACLA has embarked on a building development program and will inaugurate a new building and social hall three to four years from now that will serve as the new edifice and symbol of a New FACLA.

FACLA spend almost two years in negotiating this building developmentproject with a prestigious developer/non-profit organization.

We are terribly sad that Mr. Monsalud despite being briefed about all the positive details of the project by no less than the FACLA President, he still casts doubts on the motive and intent of FACLA on
this project. We are truly sad that he never learned anything while he was in FACLA.

FACLA has always been transparent. Right from the very start, before we embarked on the project, we had it approved by the General Membership Assembly. It has been discussed in the Board in every meeting and in every step we have been transparent on the dealing.

We cannot fault Mr. Monsalud for being a naysayer as he insinuates, *”the promise* *of protection should not be made verbally. *“He was even invited as a guest during the signing of the agreement.The agreement stipulates that FACLA will not spend a single centavo on the project and further, FACLA will remain as one of the owner of the property.

The question now is, why is he telling your readers that it *”is just a verbal agreement?*” We believe that Mr. Monsalud is not dumb to know the difference between a signed agreement and a verbal one. Or is he just nit-picking or just wanted to cast doubts on the integrity of the FACLA Board?

And where did he get “the $4M asset value of FACLA”? This is a figment of his imagination.

3.* Focus*: Again, passing praise for innuendos, Mr. Monsalud asks,* “Now this building should not distract FACLA from its mission of attending the needs of the Filipino American communities in LA. Will FACLA help?”*

For the information of the public including the grossly misinformed Mr. Monsalud, FACLA has catered to more than 14,000 clients for 2014. FACLA has surpassed its 2013 record of more than 11,000 clients served as the Cultural Center of the Filipino American Community.

FACLA continues to serve the Filipino American community in joint ventures and projects on the different cultural, economic, and political spheres with other entities like the City, and other non-profit agencies like the neighborhood councils, FILAM ARTS and other organizations.

FACLA has continued to lead and support the struggles for immigrant rights,legalization, pathways to citizenship, for rights and welfare of our World War ll veterans and widows, seniors and our youth.

This recorded facts proved that we are not distracted and are focused. Our eyes are always fixed on the prize. And that is service to our community.

*4. In the Red: *Maybe Mr. Monsalud is really misguided and really illinformed. FACLA is a non-profit organization and not a privatecorporation. FACLAis self-sustaining. We exist for public service and not for profit making. The prime policy of the present administration is self-reliance.

We operate within our means and we don’t ask for handouts from the
government or from anywhere else. What we want is a FACLA that is
self-reliant, self-sustaining and self-generating and a FACLA that has
honor, integrity, and dignity and does not kowtow to to persons in authority or private funders.

In the end, if our friends are like Mr. Monsalud, then who needs enemies?

It is better for FACLA to have no friends at all.Then we can not say, “Et tu Brutus?” A friend who will praise you but will assassinate you in the end with the unkindest cut of all.

Sincerely yours,

For the FACLA Board of Directors,
Austin Baul Jr.
President & CEO

Arturo P.Garcia
Board Secretary

***

EPCC NEWS
May 09, 2015

PACQUIAO: A global boxing icon, or a fraud?

By Rev. Atty. Arnedo S. Valera

( Printed at http://filamstar.net/images/stories/pdf/320.pdf)

The drama continues. The vilification process of one of the most inspiring boxers that the world has ever produced is a mystery to me. It originates from several fronts. I just don’t know who is the moving force and where it’s coming from. Suddenly the so called “fight of the century” is now being dubbed as the “fraud of the century”.

I do not want to dampen the zeal of enthusiasm of those filing lawsuits (class action suits or individuals) against Pacquiao and his team. Short of being frivolous, these lawsuits defy “legal common sense”.

Instead of hailing Pacquiao as a true warrior who gave his best — I still think he won the fight with a close margin despite being a “one armed fighter” — he is now being persecuted because of an inadvertent or innocuous error by his adviser Michael Koncz. Koncz took full responsibility of the mistake of checking “No” on the pre-fight medical questionnaire issued by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) on the question about whether the boxer had suffered any shoulder injuries. Yet, on the next question, he enumerated all the medicines and pain killer tablets, all of them legal, that Pacquiao is taking — which is consistent with the shoulder injury. Likewise,
the Pacquiao team informed the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of the injury and the medicines that he will be taking. The NSAC was informed several days before the bout and Pacquiao relied on the consent given by NSAC allowing him to take those medicines, only to withhold it in the last minute, including preventing him to bring inside and to take his usual vitamins. Again, these are all legal.

Pacquiao was given clearance by the doctors to fight and in fact the NSAC examined him before he fought. Despite his “shoulder predicament,” Pacquiao was oozing with confidence that he can still vanquish the undefeated Mayweather solely by his left arm. Of course, his team continued to rely on NSAC that they will allow him to take the medicines to ease and numb the pain on his shoulders. For a genuine warrior like Pacquiao, these pain medicines were enough to equalize whatever anticipated advantage Mayweather will have. Anyway, the Pacquiao team was so confident that NSAC will not withhold these medicines, which were all legal and allowable medicines. For whatever reason(s), NSAC changed their mind.

Obviously, looking at this unfortunate incident from “a normal lens,” neither was there a malicious intent nor a material misrepresentation on the part of the Pacquiao team to hide this injury. Pacquiao was raring to go and fight, and despite this shoulder injury, he knew he can defeat Mayweather, even with one hand. Arrogance? No. That is what you call valor, being strong willed and having a strong faith in God. Because in the end Pacquiao knows he is a believer of collective prayers of his family, the entire nation and millions of his fans around the globe. That’s what makes him a beloved boxing hero, true universal boxing Icon, loved by all not only because of his extra-ordinary boxing skills, but because he is an inspiration to all of us.

Indeed, “God made him from nothing into something” as he proudly proclaimed during the final press conference.

Many, including some of my friends who are professed atheists, ridicule this type of human colloquy where skills, talents are combined with having possessed of strong faith in God. As a believer, I always say that win or lose, Pacquiao is a victor in the eyes of God.

Pacquiao still thinks he won against Mayweather. And I believed him because every time I watch the replay in slow motion (six times now), I asked the proverbial question: How the hell did the judges give points to a fighter who does not want to engage and keeps running away? And where are the points that should have been awarded to a fighter because of his aggressiveness? Although missing a lot of punches, Pacquiao hit more than his opponent hit him as he continued chasing Mayweather until the last round.

Mayweather ran away with a unanimous decision, by running away. As Pacquiao said, Mayweather did not do anything. That is why boxing legend Evander Holyfield cannot believe that the fight is being awarded to the fighter who has mastered the artful way of running away from a fight. I cannot even think whether Lao Tzu’s Art of War can apply. Because when you attack and then retreat and then attack again, the intention is to win battle and ultimately the war. Mayweather won some battle rounds, but did not win the war because his strategy against Pacquiao is to run and run. Are the judges’ scorecards doubtful? I say yes. Because I still sincerely believe that Pacquiao won by very narrow margin despite his handicap.

Mayweather now openly admits he had prior knowledge of Pacquiao’s shoulder injury as he knew everything that happened in Pacquiao’s camp. And Pacquiao knew that Mayweather knows. That was the reason why every time Mayweather clinched, he pulled Pacquiao’s right hand and shoulder several times. (Watch the tape in slow motion).

Pacquiao deserves a profound admiration not only as boxer but as a human being. He is neither a villain nor a fraud. He is an excellent role model in the sports world.

I have waited for five years for this fight. Yes, it was a “boring and uneventful fight” because of Mayweather’s own making. On the judges’ scorecards, Mayweather may have won this fight, but the entire universe knows who the real victor is. Do I want a rematch? NO. Let Mayweather retire ingloriously and be remembered as the true villain of boxing. And let the legend of Pacquiao live on, for indeed his story from “nothing to something” will always be legendary. #

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EPCC NEWS
May 07, 2015

FILAM LEADERS HITS “SCAM OF THE CENTURY” OR THE MAY 02 MAYPAC FIGHT

Los Angeles—The Filipino American leaders who attended the TALAKAYAN sa FACLA last Thursday, May 07, 2015 were unanimous in condemning the seemingly rigged and scandalous Mayweather –Pacquaio fight last May 02, 2015 at La Vegas, Nevada as the ”Scam or Fraud of the Century.

Dr. Orly Cagamapan said, “It was a big letdown especially for a Pastor like Manny Pacquiao to fight without disclosing the real medical condition. The worst thing is that he has the temerity to say he won despite the convincing win of Mayweather.”

FACLA’s 2nd Vice President on the other hand said, “It was a no win situation for Pacquiao. He suspend the fight he will be sanctioned and people will be ngry at him. I think his decision to continue the fight was the best option for him”

Arturo Garcia, TALAKAYAN moderator said, “We do not know what Pacquiao and Mayweather talked about in Miami.They alone know what’s their game.”

On the Veloso Case

The TALAKAYAN discussed the development in the OFW Mary Jane Veleso in Indonesia, the crisis and how it was resolved with the stay of Veloso’s scheduled execution.

Ms. Boots Boado said,’ It was really ungrateful for Mrs. Celia Veloso not to thank the President. It goes against the grain of Filipino’s trait for debt of gratitude. Even a little thing like thanking a person who lighted your cigarette is a big thing for Filipinos. What more in saying thank you for the President.

On the other hand Dr.Cagampan said, “Let’s pity the mother, she has been feed information by anti-government people. She is just saying what she has been told.”

Journalist Larry Pelayo said, : In the end the efforts of President Aquino III paid off. It was he who talked personally with Indonesian President Widodo and broke the protocol to speak to the Indonesian Foreign Minister that made the Indonesian President to order a stay of execution for Mary Jane Veloso.

TALAKAYAN Guests

Guest Ms. Lissa Pacheco –Chow, QAP President talked about the Queen of Asia –Pacific (QAP) pageant this summer and the coming LAKAMBINI ng KALAYAAN Contest and Coronation Night at the Castaway Rsstaurant on June 5, 201t.

Another guest, Boots Boado spoke about the Forest Lawn and her credentials.

The TALAKAYAN thanked Dr. Orly Cagampan and QAP’s Lissa Pacheco-Chow for the food that they brought for the TALAKAYAN discussions.

For more information please contact Art Garcia at (213)241-0995 or email him at [email protected] or visit FACLA’s website at www;newfacla.org.

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JFAV Updates
May 06, 2015

THE BATTLE AND FALL OF CORREGIDOR, May 6, 1942

Los Angeles–The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) based in the United States, marked the 73rd Year of the Fall of Corregidor , May 06, 1942,

With the Fall of Corregidor, the headquarters of the USAFFE Command , USAFFE Commander, General Jonathan Wainwright subsequently surrendered the whole Philippines, and all the USAFFE forces on May 9, 1942.

On this day we marked the battle for Corregidor with this account:

With the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, Corregidor was rendered helpless from the relentless artillery bombardment from the highlands of Cavite and Bataan. For 27 days the continued artillery and air bombardment soften the American resistance in Corregidor.

The Battle For Corregidor

“ On May 5, Japanese forces led by Maj. Gen. Kureo Taniguchi boarded landing craft and barges and headed for the final assault on Corregidor.

Shortly before midnight, intense shelling struck the beaches between North Point and Cavalry Point.

The initial landing of 790 Japanese soldiers quickly bogged down due to surprisingly fierce resistance from the American and Filipino defenders whose 37 mm artillery exacted a heavy toll on the landing fleet.

The final blow to the defenders came at about 09:30, when three Japanese tanks landed and went into action. The men around Denver Battery withdrew to the ruins of a concrete trench a few yards away from the entrance to Malinta tunnel, just as Japanese artillery delivered a heavy barrage.

The Fall and Surrender of the Philippines

Particularly fearful of the dire consequences should the Japanese capture the tunnel, where 1,000 helpless wounded men lay, and realizing that the defenses outside Malinta tunnel could not hold out much longer,

Lt. Gen. Wainright expected further Japanese landings that night. He also decided to sacrifice one more day of freedom in exchange for several thousand lives.

In a radio message to President Franklin Roosevelt, Wainwright said,
“There is a limit of human endurance, and that point has long been passed.” Howard burned the 4th Regiment’s and national colors to prevent their capture by the enemy.

Wainwright finally surrendered the Corregidor garrison at about 1:30 p.m. on May 6, 1942, with two officers sent forward with a white flag to carry his surrender message to the Japanese.”

On May 9, 1942, General Wainwright broadcasted ver the radio KSRH in Manila ang ordered all USAFFE forces still fighting in the Visayas and Mindanao to surrender to the Japanese.

The USAFFE surrendered but the FIlipino forces continued fighting the Japanese for three years more

The surrendered troops were brought and marched in display at the streets of Manila in the last steps to humiliate them and were imprisoned at the UST compound at the old Bilibid Prison in Santa Cruz, Manila.

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EPCC NEWS
May 5, 2015

MAYWEATHER AGREES FOR A REMATCH WITH PACQUAIO IN 2016

Las Vegas—In sudden turn of events, winner Floyd Mayweather told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith in a text Tuesday that he would be open to a rematch after Manny Pacquiao recovers from shoulder surgery to repair a tear in his rotator cuff in 2016.

“I will fight him in a year after his surgery,” Mayweather texted Smith on the heels of his unanimous decision over Pacquiao in the richest fight ever.

Eight divisiom champion Manny Pacquiao, who lost the much touted “ Fight of the Centurty” last Saturday will have surgery this week to repair a “significant tear” of his right rotator cuff and will miss nine to 12 months.

The 38-year-old Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) admitted during Saturday’s postfight news conference that he is “human” and occasionally contradicts himself.

Pacquiao Cries “Sabotage”

Pacquaio in a press conference after the fight said “he was only 60% on form” and gave that reason why he lost the fight. He also hinted on”sabotage “ and blamed the Nevada Boxing Commission for being partial to Mayweather in subsequent press conference in Los Angeles as he confirmed that he “ has the recurrent shoulder injury.”

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache told ESPN.com on Monday that Pacuiao will undergo surgercy to repair a “significant tear” in his rotator cuff, which he suffered prior to the fight. The surgery will sideline the boxer for at least nine to 12 months.

NSAC Sanctions?

Meanwhile, Pacquiao, is being threatened sanctions from Nevada boxing officials for failing to disclose his shoulder injury on a form prior to Friday’s weigh-in.

Pacquiao’s promoter put out a statement on behalf of the fighter late Monday afternoon saying that the injury was disclosed to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which approved the use of an anti-inflammatory shot for the fight.

But USADA was only a third party to the fight, charged only with testing the fighters for banned substances in training and the night of the bout.

“We had no medical information, no MRIs, no documents,” said Travis Tygart, who heads the USADA. “It was not an anti-doping issue.

A little more than two hours before the fight, Pacquiao’s corner asked Nevada regulators whether he could be given a shot of Toradol, an anti-inflammatory.

NASC’s Aguilar denied it, saying the commission had no previous indication that there was an injury and could not allow a shot in fairness to the Mayweather camp.

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EPCC NEWS
May 04, 2015

FOOD DISTRIBUTION/FEEDING PROGRAM AT FACLA ON MAY 30, 2015 AT 11:00 AM

Los Angeles–The Unitd Bicolandia of Los Angeles (UBLA),the Filipino Ministry of the Wilshire United Methodist Church with the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the HIFI CALI EXPO LLC will hold its monthly feeding program and food distribution for the month of May on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).

The feeding program and food distribution is held at every last Saturday pf the month at FACLA.

It has been a success ever since and has distributed food and have fed a modest number of seniors since it started in the middle of 2014

Free Info /IT Seminar

Due to the insistent public demand, At the same time, Sid Balatan, FACLA Director for Information and Technology will again hold his FREE workshop on email, iphone and tablet literacy and technology.

This technology literacy seminar is FREE for people especially for seniors who want to learn about this gadgets. This workshop is FREE. Especially for senior adults, using their phones and tablets should not be troublesome.

It only shows that age does not matter when it comes to technology. It is not to late or we are not to old to learn. Please come to this FREE high tech seminar.

For more information please contact Sid at (213)3995042 or Al Garcia at (323)253-1818 or email us [email protected]

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