Bayanihan hub in Portland recognizes historical Filipinas through art
Screengrab from Talilo Marfil/YouTube
In 2021, a Filipino community center opened in Southeast Portland, Oregon with the aim to connect Filipinos in the metropolitan area with mutual aid resources.
Since its inception, the community center has been a cultural hub, offering a range of services that include health, labor advocacy, and youth programs and fostering a strong sense of unity among Filipinos.
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The center has since grown to become a vital gathering place for the more than 47,000 Filipinos in Oregon. But the bayanihan hub is not just a place for providing assistance as it also acknowledges the contributions of Filipino women throughout history.
The center recently celebrated its expansion and heritage by unveiling a mural dedicated to legendary Filipina figures. The 40-foot-wide mural, revealed on Saturday, showcases the likenesses of iconic Filipina women who have left a mark on history.
Among those depicted are Apo Whang-Od, a Filipino tattoo artist who, at the age of 107, still practices the traditional art of “batok.” She is joined by Gabriela Silang, the first woman to lead an army against the Spanish in the Philippines in 1763; Tandang Sora, who played a significant role in aiding the country’s revolution in 1896; and Bai Bibyaon, the first female chieftain of the Manobo tribe.
The project is a collaborative effort between the center, artist Alex Chiu, and Filipino hip-hop artist Talilo Marfil. The mural, which took 10 hours to complete, was made possible through a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
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Marfil was the visionary for the mural and said Portland’s lack of Filipino-inspired art motivated him to reach out to the center to collaborate on the mural. He then shared a timelapse of the artwork on his Instagram and incorporated it into his new song, “Unsung Heroes.”
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Nikki De Leon, one of the center’s founders, emphasized the significance of the mural, highlighting that it serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the Filipino community.
However, there is a looming question regarding the ownership of the Bayanihan hub’s building, with the possibility of it changing hands in two years. Despite this uncertainty, the center’s founders remain determined to maintain their presence and the mural for as long as possible.
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