INDIANAPOLIS — Throughout Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, you may have seen a video and light show downtown highlighting the influential people from this culture in the city. But for one of the people highlighted, that video reminds her of her growth over the years.
"Growing up in the Philippines, in a very small town, I'd never imagine being in this position," Kaye Vitug said.
After leaving the Philippines, Vitug's position at Roche Diagnostics took her all over the world.
"What's beautiful about immigration and as an immigrant here, you get to keep the values and the culture that you have originally, but also try to learn about the culture you are symbolizing into," she said.
That new culture is here in Indianapolis. It's where she got her new title of senior vice president and chief financial officer for Roche, a position where she serves thousands of employees.
"We truly represent and embrace diversity and inclusion in the way we have our culture here," she said.
Vitug told 13News during her short time here in Indy, she's learned and achieved so much, now her achievements are shown on the AES building in a video display with other Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the city.
The Asian American Alliance says this video display allows people to see the culture's impact on the state's history. Organizers hope this impact is talked about beyond AANHPI month.
"We cherish our heritage and we are Americans, we are not strangers, we are not foreigners, we are not outsiders, we are your next door neighbors," Rupal Thanawala, President of the Asian American Alliance said.
The people featured like Vitug say this video is not just about them, but many generations to come.
"I represent a culture that is being accepted and welcoming for all," she said.
The Shining a Light video display will run nightly until May 31 at 10, 10:30 and 11 p.m.