ORLANDO, Fla. — In the Mills 50 district of Orlando, bustling with Asian restaurants, one fare has been noticeably absent: Filipino.

That’s until Kaya opened up about a year ago, ushering in a new focus on Filipino flavors. It was the dream of Chef Lordlier “Lo” Lalicon and co-owner and general manager Jamilyn Salonga Bailey.

Within months, the restaurant made the list of MICHELIN Guide recommendations.

Yet, since that time, something bigger has blossomed, emanating from the tiny bungalow located on North Thornton Avenue.

It’s a sense of community, explained Salonga Bailey.

“I think for the Filipino community in particular, having a place to go where you feel seen, celebrated and shown off is really important,” she said.

And with karaoke nights, Filipino BBQ and markets in regular rotation at the location, it’s also become something of a cultural center: a space for exchange of ideas, food and music.

It’s a feeling that resonates with Erica Abalos-Hernandez, also a Filipino American.

“They’ve created so many ways to experience this space they’ve created,” she said.

For the last 18 years, Abalos-Hernandez has owned and operated alongside her husband, Brent, Redlight Redlight. It’s a hip bar located along the Corrine Drive corridor of the City Beautiful.

Abalos-Hernandez said that growing up, she sometimes felt quite alone.

“Growing up, I felt very othered. I was born in the States, I wanted to fit in. I had a culture brought into my house by my parents, but didn’t get to see it outside of the house,” she said. “If I wanted to eat Filipino food, it was at home.”

The bar owner said she often grabs a group of girlfriends for the restaurant’s karaoke night, where diners sing from their tables into wireless microphones.

“It feels wonderful I can come here with my friends, who are also Filipino American, and also friends from all over and enjoy the deliciousness,” she said, adding that the first time she dined at the Filipino restaurant, she cried with joy.

It’s pride in her Asian heritage that Abalos-Hernandez hopes to share with her two children, whether it’s eating a family dinner at Kaya or grabbing a Japanese shaved ice after school at Koko Kakigori, which recently opened up on the Thornton Avenue property.

Abalos-Hernandez even brought her parents, who had just returned from visiting the Philippines, to partake in the afterschool treat — a new Friday tradition, she said.

“For them to be able to see themselves coming to Kaya and seeing other Filipino Americans, people they can identify with,” she said. “I feel like bringing my parents to see how much the Orlando community has grown — something that I really didn’t know that I needed until I was an adult, like, ‘Oh, wow, representation in our food, celebrating these various events, holidays.’ it just feels so special.”