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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole menu is like not traditional. It’s just like how it was growing up as a Filipino in in Los Angeles,\u201d said Foronda.<\/p>\n
Foronda said food has become a way to build connections and introduce people to the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’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,\u201d said Foronda.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission is to serve the multi-ethnic community of historic Filipino Town and Filipino Americans throughout LA County,\u201d said SIPA Executive Director Kimmy Maniquis.<\/p>\n
During Filipino American History Month, Maniquis hopes more people will visit the neighborhood and connect with its rich culture and community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a place where I think we find a lot of cultural markers and belonging as well through community members,\u201d said Maniquis.<\/p>\n
Historic Filipinotown remains a vibrant hub for Filipino American culture in the heart of Los Angeles.<\/p>\n