'She was larger than life,' says victim's husband at Lapu-Lapu Day vigil
Family and friends have identified Jenifer Darbellay as one of the 11 people killed in a vehicle attack at Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day festival on Saturday. Speaking at a Monday evening vigil, Noel Johansen said his wife was behind him when she died. RJ Aquino, chair of Filipino B.C., who was on the organizing committee says the community is 'working together' with the province to provide support for victims.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Province
3 days ago
- The Province
B.C. Filipino community group upset with Vancouver council's sudden Lapu Lapu Day memorial event decision
Planning for Rogers Arena event was made without consulting families, says Filipino B.C. A message and flowers at a memorial near the scene where an SUV drove into a crowd during the Lapu Lapu Day festival on April 26. Photo by Andrew Chin / Getty Images A sudden Vancouver city council decision to host a Lapu Lapu Day memorial event at Rogers Arena this month was made without input from impacted families, according to Filipino B.C. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On Tuesday night, councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung (on behalf of Mayor Ken Sim who was absent) brought forward an urgent motion authorizing the city to sign an agreement with Canucks Entertainment Corp to use Rogers Arena — free of charge — for an event this month to remember the April 26 tragedy that left 11 people dead. No date has been set for the 'Come Together: Vancouver Strong' event, with Ticketmaster agreeing to waive its fees for tickets that will be sold at low cost. Kirby-Yung told council that there had been discussions with Filipino B.C. around the event. However, following council's unanimous decision to support the event, Filipino B.C. spokesperson Crystal Laderas said that while they had been informed there would be a large scale event in June (which is also Filipino Heritage Month), no impacted families had yet been consulted. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We were not notified about the urgent motion that Vancouver city hall voted on this afternoon,' Laderas said. 'In May, Filipino B.C. and other community groups were invited to a City of Vancouver-hosted roundtable to discuss what a potential memorial event could look like. During that meeting, we expressed that any event, public tribute or memorial should be done in close consultation with the families of the victims, and should be shaped and directed by the community. 'While we understand the city's desire to create space for collective mourning and healing, it is critical that this process centres the voices of the families and affected communities. 'We believe the City of Vancouver should prioritize emergency recovery funding. While we are supporting families by connecting them with financial aid, providing temporary accommodations and other services, we have not engaged with them about a memorial event. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There is space and need for both intimate, community-led events and a broader large-scale tribute to encourage wider collective healing. However, the timing, tone and format of such an event should be aligned with victims and the communities impacted. We urge the City of Vancouver to remain accountable to that principle and to prioritize long-term recovery support as part of its commitment to those impacted.' Kai-ji Adam Lo, 30, was arrested on April 26 after a black SUV was driven through a crowd of people 15 minutes after the end of a daylong festival held by Vancouver's Filipino community to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day near 41st Avenue and Fraser Street in east Vancouver. dcarrigg@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports News
Toronto Star
26-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Toronto to boost street festival security funding in the wake of Lapu-Lapu Day attack
The city of Toronto will inject an additional $750,000 in funding for festivals this summer to bolster security in the wake of the deadly Lapu-Lapu Day vehicle attack in Vancouver. The announcement followed a safety summit in Toronto on Monday morning, where 150 representatives from festivals across the city met with elected officials, including Mayor Olivia Chow.
Vancouver Sun
22-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver moving too fast to consolidate memorials to festival victims, says Filipino group
The group that organized the Lapu Lapu Day festival says it's too early to start consolidating the spontaneous memorials for the 11 people killed when an SUV tore through the crowd last month. Filipino B.C., an advocacy group supporting Filipino communities in B.C., said people are still navigating immense grief. 'For a lot of community members, it's just too soon,' said media relations manager Crystal Laderas on Thursday as city workers began dismantling parts of memorials, taking down and moving cards, mementoes and other personal items, and placing wilted flowers into compost bins. Laderas said they've received calls and texts from people the last few days worried about what would happen to the memorials. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'It hasn't even been a month since the tragedy unfolded, we know a lot of people are regulars visiting the site including friends and immediate family of people who lost their lives. Understandably, they will be hurt they can't go to parts of the site anymore.' Since one of the deadliest acts of mass violence in Vancouver's history happened on April 26, flowers, candles and handwritten tributes have filled the sidewalks near Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue in Vancouver's Killarney neighbourhood. The city has begun the process of consolidating these tributes into two locations — one at the original corner of Fraser and 43rd, and a second at nearby Mountain View Cemetery — citing the need for residents and students in the area to access roads and sidewalks while acknowledging the importance of supporting community healing. One major memorial site near Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue has been cleared, with items like stuffies and trinkets moved to the cemetery and flowers taken to the 43rd Avenue site. Filipino Catholic tradition observes a 40-day mourning period after which it is believed the souls ascend to heaven, noted Laderas. 'For those folks, the beloved community members are still here, they're still present, and visiting the memorial is a way to visit and pay their respects and honour their loved ones,' she said, adding they are expecting an influx of people to visit the site on the 40th day. The group had shared the feedback from community members with the city on Wednesday, said Laderas. On Thursday, there were Filipino B.C. members on site to guide city workers. 'This is difficult work that will be done with care and respect by city workers,' deputy city manager Sandra Singh said in a statement on Thursday. 'We thank the local neighbourhood, Vancouver residents and community partners for their ongoing compassion, care and respect while this sensitive work is underway.' The city said the planning has been done in consultation with Vancouver Police Department victim services, the Vancouver school district, cultural organizations and other groups. The public is welcome to continue placing items of remembrance at either of the consolidated sites, encouraging the use of 'flameless' candles to prevent fire hazards. However, candles and glass objects are not permitted at the Mountain View Cemetery site. Fresh flowers will remain at the Fraser Street site. Cards, signs and other personal tributes will be moved to Mountain View or stored off-site. A regular schedule of care and maintenance is being planned. Wilted flowers will be composted, and items that pose safety risks, such as broken glass or candle holders, will be removed. Vancouver school superintendent Helen McGregor supported the city's decision, noting the importance of a compassionate and coordinated response during an 'incredibly challenging time for our community.' 'Recognizing the diverse needs and impacts for many, we appreciate the consideration shown toward students, staff and members of school communities,' McGregor said in a statement. 'The careful consideration of all those affected reflects the importance of healing and unity.' Earlier this month, the city announced a permanent memorial is being considered to commemorate the victims of the attack. sgrochowski@
