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Indy's first Philippine Cultural Center expanding for more services

The center is full of native clothes, artwork and artifacts, but volunteers say the best way to get a taste of the culture is by sharing a meal.

INDIANAPOLIS — Before Philip Smith was adopted and moved to Indianapolis in the 1980s, the Philippines was home.

"For years, I always wondered who I was. I had an identity crisis," he said. "So when I went back in 2010, I just really wondered 'who am I and where do I belong?'"

His first trip back home gave him his birth family and a new love for the culture. He wanted to bring that love back here and created the first Philippine Cultural Center in the city.

"When we built the center, we have our family now and anyone who comes through the door, whether they are Philippine American or German descent or any other ethnicity, they are family to us now," he said.

Credit: Anna Chalker/WTHR
Decorations inside the Philippine Cultural Center in Indianapolis.

The center is full of native clothes, artwork and artifacts, but volunteers say the best way to get a taste of the culture is by sitting at the table and sharing a meal.

"Culture is really experienced through your stomach," Max Rahimzadeh said. "When we think about cultures, we tend to think 'well what do they eat?'"

That's why the center is expanding the kitchen to share dishes from the Philippines and all over.

Credit: Anna Chalker/WTHR
Art showing appreciation for the Philippines at the Philippine Cultural Center in Indianapolis.

"Our primary goal is to bring together ethnic food service businesses to Indianapolis," Rahimzadeh said.

As the center continues to grow, volunteers hope this becomes the melting pot for the city.

"At the end of the day, we are all human beings and we are very much open to the public and welcome anyone to come in," Smith said.

To learn more about the center, you can visit their Facebook page.

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