More than 100 leaders of the Filipino community in Oregon and supporters gathered last month at the conference center of the Grotto in Northeast Portland for the official launching of Dambana: The Filipino Faith Shrine.

The shrine is a collaboration between the Filipino community of Oregon and the Grotto, the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, in Portland.

It will be built on the upper gardens and feature the image of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), as well as the Blessed Mother and San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, as all three are symbols of the community’s cultural affinity with these intercessors. Dambana — the Tagalog word for shrine or altar — is envisioned as a sanctuary that blends Filipino faith and culture. It is a symbol of the community’s unity and dedication, and will serve as a legacy to future generations.

“This is our Filipino dream in Oregon – to build the Dambana, as a testament to our strong and involved community, grounded in its faith and values, and dedicated to serving each other,” says Pia de Leon, one of the organizers of the project.

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