What is the Lapu-Lapu Day celebrated in Vancouver by Filipino community?
The people had gathered in the city's Sunset neighbourhood for a multi-block street party. The celebration, which included Filipino food, live performances, and cultural displays, was just winding down when tragedy struck.
Lapu-Lapu Day, celebrated across the Philippines and especially in the central Visayas region, commemorates Datu Lapu-Lapu's victory over Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan in 1521, according to reports.
The Filipino chieftain's triumph is regarded as a symbol of the nation's resistance against colonial rule and his enduring legacy as a national hero. Lapu-Lapu's victory is further celebrated in the Philippines, with the city of Lapu-Lapu on Mactan Island named in his honour.
In Vancouver, the festival, which was also a tribute to the cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, was tragically marred by the incident. Local police responded to the mass casualty event, arresting a 30-year-old Vancouver man at the scene.
The Philippine consulate in Vancouver expressed solidarity, stating: 'We pray that our community remains strong and resilient imbued with the spirit of bayanihan (community spirit) during this difficult time.'
In recognition of the Filipino community's significance in British Columbia, the provincial government declared 27 April as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023.
This official recognition honours the community's impact on the region's cultural vibrancy and prosperity. With over 172,000 people of Filipino descent in British Columbia as of 2021, Lapu-Lapu Day has become an important occasion for both reflection on Filipino heritage and a celebration of unity.
Lapu-Lapu's legacy continues to inspire, as organisers of the Vancouver festivities noted, describing the hero as embodying "the soul of native resistance" and a symbol of the power of unity. "He teaches us that the strength of a united people, bound by a shared commitment to their heritage, can withstand any challenge," they added.
The festival in Vancouver also featured a parade, cultural dances, film screenings, local markets, and basketball – the Philippines' most beloved sport. Organisers expressed deep sorrow for the victims and their families, stating they were devastated by the tragedy.
"We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy," they said in a statement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
International man hunt launched to find Brit fugitive who ‘mowed down two holidaymakers before fleeing scene' in Magaluf
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN international arrest warrant has been issued for a British man accused of mowing down two tourists in a horror Magaluf hit-and-run before vanishing. Jack Benjamin Hulme, 31, was arrested after the March 2023 smash but freed on bail by a Spanish judge just 36 hours later. 5 An international arrest warrant is out for Jack Benjamin Hulme, accused of a Magaluf hit-and-run that injured two tourists Credit: Solarpix 5 Hulme allegedly mowed down a Polish woman and a Brit, who survived without serious injury Credit: Solarpix 5 Horror footage shows the couple being hurled to the ground by a car Credit: Solarpix Court officials now say he is on the run after failing to respond to repeated attempts to contact him. The fugitive faces trial on five offences – including reckless driving and two counts of wounding – with prosecutors demanding a four-year prison sentence if convicted. His ongoing case has been suspended until he is tracked down and extradited. Chilling video of the incident shows a 20-year-old Polish woman lying unconscious on her back with her shirt open after being hurled to the ground by the car. Read more world news HOLS HORROR Drugged, stalked & ambushed - dark crime wave terrorising Brits in hols hotspot A 19-year-old Brit was also knocked flying as Hulme allegedly mounted the pavement outside a fast-food joint. Three other people standing just feet away only escaped by sprinting out of the car's path as it veered towards them. Police said the victims had no involvement in the row that preceded the hit-and-run and were simply 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Miraculously, both survived without serious injury. It is understood Hulme had stormed off following a bust-up with another Brit after their partners reportedly clashed. Moments later, he allegedly ploughed into the innocent pair in his hire car before speeding away. Shocking moment mob beats up Brit tourist after he 'ploughs into woman while pulling wheelie on motorbike' in Thailand He was arrested at nearby Son Matias beach following a police manhunt. During his first court appearance, he reportedly claimed he hadn't meant to run anyone over and blamed his poor vision on someone 'spraying him in the eyes with an aerosol.' As part of his bail, Hulme was ordered to register his contact details with court officials and notify them of any move. But after failing to comply, a judge declared him in contempt and issued an international arrest warrant. A Spanish police spokesman confirmed at the time: 'A British man who was on holiday in Majorca has been arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide following an early-hours hit-and-run incident in Magaluf. 'He was held at nearby Son Matias beach after a police search for him and his vehicle. 'The incident was preceded by some sort of argument that is still under investigation. 'One of the people hurt was a Polish woman and the other a British man. Both were also on holiday in the area.' The case echoes a string of violent incidents involving Brits in Magaluf. In 2019, Brit Max Barnes, 25, also went AWOL after being bailed for a bottle attack on a nightclub bouncer. He was eventually tracked down and handed an 18-month suspended sentence after paying his victim £35,000. And in 2018, Manchester woman Kemi Coaker, then 30, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after running over her ex's new girlfriend in a hate-fuelled rage. She later admitted wounding with a dangerous weapon and was given a two-year suspended jail term plus a restraining order. 5 He was bailed but failed to contact court officials, leading to the arrest warrant Credit: Solarpix
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
International manhunt for Brit after Magaluf 'hit and run' injures tourists
An international arrest warrant has been issued for Jack Benjamin Hulme, 31, after he allegedly mowed down two people, including a teenage Brit, in a shocking Magaluf 'hit and run' An international manhunt has been launched for a British man accused of mowing down two tourists, including a UK teenager, in a horror Magaluf 'hit-and-run'. An arrest warrant has been issued for Jack Benjamin Hulme, 31, who was released on bail by a Spanish judge after 36 hours in police custody. The Brit is now a wanted man after he failed to respond to attempts to contact him by court officials. The fugitive Brit had allegedly been drinking before driving at a group of people in his hire car and knocking down a 19-year-old British man while sending a 20-year-old Polish woman flying. It comes after video of the moment a family attacks a woman complaining over a child kicking chair on flight emerged. Another three people next to the victims - a woman they had been chatting to and two men a couple of feet away - managed to run out of the way and reach safety as the car approached at speed and veered towards them. The 31-year-old, who faces extradition following his eventual arrest, is now facing trial on five offences. Shocking footage of the horror moment, from March 30, 2023, showed the Polish woman was left unconscious on her back with her shirt open. Hulme allegedly rowed with a British man whose girlfriend had gotten into a scrap with his partner, before the horror collision. The suspect was said to have left the scene in a rage before mounting the pavement outside a fast-food restaurant and allegedly injuring two people, who were not involved in the row. Miraculously they survived without serious injury and they were described as being "in the wrong place at the wrong time". Hulme was arrested at nearby Son Matias beach on suspicion of attempted homicide after the incident after a police manhunt, but was charged with lesser crimes which include two counts of wounding, reckless driving, and a drink-drive offence. Police, before being marched to court in handcuffs, said: "A British man who was on holiday in Majorca has been arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide following an early-hours hit-and-run incident in Magaluf. He was held at nearby Son Matias beach after a police search for him and his vehicle. "The incident was preceded by some sort of argument that is still under investigation. One of the people hurt was a Polish woman and the other a British man. Both were also on holiday in the area." During his initial court appearance, he is understood to have claimed he hadn't intended to run anyone over but couldn't see properly because someone had previously "sprayed him in the eyes" with an aerosol. A judge reportedly lost patience with the Brit, who had to register contact details with court officials as part of his bail conditions and agree to inform them of any change of address, and declared him in contempt of court before issuing the international arrest warrant.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Notorious gangster 'tired of criminal life' does strange dance as he's arrested
Jamie Rothwell, 38 was banged up for 43 years at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to gun and drug offences - he now says he's 'tired of criminal life' An infamous gangster who was jailed for 43 years performed a strange little dance after being nicked by cops. Jamie Rothwell admitted to being addicted to "revenge, violence and racketeering" and was responsible for trafficking lethal arms as well as arranging large-scale drug deals. The 38-year-old, of Salford in Greater Manchester, fled the UK in 2015 after surviving a gun attack and had been living in luxury out in Barcelona until his capture. From there, the fugitive was able to orchestrate his illegal operations using a messaging app called Encrochat, which some refer to as WhatsApp for criminals, which included ordering gangland hits. This comes after after a kickboxing champion takes dead body to police station as he hands himself in for murder. In May 2020, however, he was finally tracked down in Spain and taken into custody. Footage taken by Spanish cops showed the moment he was walked by officers with his hands handcuffed behind his back - only to skip and then jump up and kick his heels. Rothwell also appeared chatty with cops and in an upbeat mood. Yet the gangster claimed he was "tired" of living a criminal life and instead now wants to help young people avoid taking the path he took. He pleaded guilty to a number of gun and drug offences and was yesterday sentenced to more than four decades behind bars at Manchester Crown Court. Rothwell's jailing comprised a total of 18 years for drugs offences and a consecutive 25 year extended sentence for firearms offence, which includes 21 years in prison and an extra four years on licence. Judge John Potter said Rothwell placed "hundreds of firearms into the UK". He also explained how the criminal said on Encrochat that he was involved in a "six month war" with someone and he "went on a rampage". In addition, the court heard his dealing was at an "international level" with drugs deals worth millions of pounds. Judge Potter told him: "Mr Rothwell, you have lived much of your life as a professional criminal involved in serious organised crime. "The offences you fall to be sentenced for graphically illustrate your willingness to follow this path and cause loss and misery to others as you do so." He added that Rothwell had, "obtained wealth by having access to millions of pounds of cash." Reflecting on the violence he was responsible for, Rothwell told one associate: "When you have fire in your heart... you don't stop... you get addicted... you lose everyone... you turn cold, no emotions.... egos at first I agree... but then when you in, hard to go back." His sentencing comes after he was brought to justice for ordering a shooting from Spain and for being involved in industrial-scale cocaine dealing. In February, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A, namely cocaine, conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B, namely ketamine and two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. His crimes were revealed after European law enforcement infiltrated the EncroChat communications network, which was used by criminals who believed it was impenetrable. The court previously heard how Rothwell used Encrochat to plan violence and supply deadly weapons alongside a string of associates, including James Close - known as 'Ballsniffer' - as well as Craig Makinson and Callum Morris. In April 2020, Rothwell set his sights on rival Leon Cullen, telling one contact: "I've give Leon a way out... he a grass... he turned on me for nothing... tried kill me... while my daughter there... he my only enemy... when he lands in UK that's when it starts." He also targeted notorious gangster Liam Byrne, sharing Byrne's address with user 'Caperocket' and sending Google Earth images. "I'm gonna do them all soon," he wrote.
