LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Just a few miles from Dodger Stadium, Historic Filipinotown serves as a cultural hub where Filipino Americans celebrate their heritage and share their stories during Filipino American History Month.

ABC7’s Tony Cabrera got a firsthand look at Historic Filipinotown during a tour led by the Filipino Worker Center aboard a traditional jeepney, a colorful public transportation vehicle commonly seen throughout the Philippines.

Along the way, community organizer Jennifer Taylor highlighted some of the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmarks and local favorites, including the Historic Filipinotown gateway sign.

One stop on the tour was HiFi Kitchen, a modern Filipino restaurant owned by Justin Foronda. In addition to running the restaurant, Foronda is also a community organizer, registered nurse and break dancer.

“The whole menu is like not traditional. It’s just like how it was growing up as a Filipino in in Los Angeles,” said Foronda.

Foronda said food has become a way to build connections and introduce people to the neighborhood.

“There’s not like a week that goes by that someone comes in here and they’re like, I didn’t even know there was a Filipino town. And so we’re happy to be a landing spot for that,” said Foronda.

HiFi Kitchen is also home to Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, known as SIPA, a longstanding community organization that serves residents throughout Los Angeles County.

“Our mission is to serve the multi-ethnic community of historic Filipino Town and Filipino Americans throughout LA County,” said SIPA Executive Director Kimmy Maniquis.

During Filipino American History Month, Maniquis hopes more people will visit the neighborhood and connect with its rich culture and community.

“It’s a place where I think we find a lot of cultural markers and belonging as well through community members,” said Maniquis.

Historic Filipinotown remains a vibrant hub for Filipino American culture in the heart of Los Angeles.

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