Family in B.C. festival tragedy celebrates small victories on long road to recovery
VANCOUVER - Even the smallest victories are being celebrated by Roland Nulada and his family, as he recovers from devastating injuries suffered in the Lapu Lapu festival attack in Vancouver.
On Monday, it was Nulada's first meal in 16 days — soup and baked macaroni, 'the very soft ones,' says his older sister, Pinky Nulada, in the Vancouver hospital room where her brother is recovering from brain surgery, as well as operations on a broken arm and leg.
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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Criticism of Lapu Lapu memorial event surprises Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim
VANCOUVER – Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says he's surprised by criticism of plans for a large memorial event this month to honour victims of the Lapu Lapu festival attack, which a Filipino advocacy group says was arranged without proper consultation. Filipino BC says it wasn't told in advance about a vote approving the event by the city council on Tuesday, and the city should be prioritizing emergency recovery funding for those affected by the April 26 tragedy in which 11 people were killed and dozens hurt. The motion, brought by Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, outlines an event called 'Come Together; Vancouver Strong' at Rogers Arena in June, but no specific date has been set. Sim says in a statement Wednesday that his office was surprised by Filipino BC's criticism given what he calls 'ongoing and regular communication' with the organization. He says there was a meeting with Filipino BC on Friday, attended by its executive director, where the memorial event was discussed. Sim says his office has reached out to Filipino BC to seek clarification and reaffirm a shared commitment to ensuring the event is done with the community. Kirby-Yung had told the council meeting the Filipino community had been working with the mayor's office and was comfortable with the event. Filipino BC said in its statement issued later Tuesday that 'the timing, tone and format of such an event should be aligned with victims and the communities impacted.' '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,' it said. Kirby-Yung said she was advised by the mayor's office to bring the motion forward, on behalf of B.C. MLA Mable Elmore and that Filipino BC was engaged in the plans. Councillors Peter Fry and Lucy Maloney had questioned whether the Filipino community was aware of the motion, but it ultimately passed unanimously. Elmore — who is of Filipino heritage and was at the Lapu Lapu Festival when the attack took place — issued a statement on Wednesday saying the event that she described as a benefit concert 'is a welcome step toward healing.' 'Mayor Sim, his staff, Filipino BC, and other stakeholders have been present at the table and working together to prepare for 'Come Together: Vancouver Strong,' Elmore said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June, 4, 2025.
CBC
29-05-2025
- CBC
1 month later, Lapu-Lapu Day witness, victim reflect on their experience
Social Sharing Rosadene Alcala Apeles was thinking of packing their jewelry booth at the end of the Lapu-Lapu Day festival just over a month ago when they spotted an SUV driving very quickly towards them. Apeles says their table was located close to the unprotected barrier that closed off 43rd Avenue for food trucks and vendors at the festival. "I saw that black SUV — it was coming in pretty hot, and I felt like, this is a school zone. Why is it going so fast?" they told CBC's On the Coast host Gloria Macarenko. "And then the car just didn't stop." Apeles heard tires screeching. And then the car raced out of view. They soon realized they had just witnessed the first injury and the first casualty that took place that evening. 'I am a different person than I was' It's been just over a month since the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy occurred on April 26. Eleven people were killed, and dozens more were injured. The victims include a mother visiting her sons from the Philippines, a family that had come to Canada to escape violence in Colombia, another family that left behind a 16-year-old son who had stayed home that day, and a high school teacher. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in connection with the crash. Witnesses and those who were injured at the event say they are still recovering — mentally and physically — from what they saw and experienced. 'My hands still shake': Lapu Lapu Day witness speaks 1 month after tragedy 1 day ago Duration 13:39 Rosadene Alcala Apeles, a second-generation mental health-care worker, was a vendor at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver where 11 people were killed after a car was driven into them. They say they're still afraid of traffic and loud noises after the tragic crash. "I think that fundamentally I am a different person than I was at the start of that day," Apeles said. "I have come to terms that this event is going to be part of who I am, whether that be for the better or the worse." Some witnesses and victims also say the past month has been a time to reflect: about their community, their families and the state of mental health care in B.C. Apeles, who works as a mental health support worker and harm reduction specialist, says the tragedy has underscored the need for more support for those suffering from mental illness. "If we want a healthy society where these tragedies don't happen, we need to acknowledge that we can't sweep these tragedies under the rug," they said. "The people who enabled this to happen have to apologize. They have to make commitments to do better." 'This was a car that hit you' Christi-Ann Watkins, 43, performed and helped produce the show at the festival. Her 11-year-old son Knox had performed as well. They had just wrapped up at the main stage and decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the food vendors. She was feeling happy about how well everything had turned out. "The vibe was great," Watkins told BC Today host Michelle Eliot. "Although Lapu-Lapu was tragic, it was still a beautiful day for so many people." Organizers of Lapu-Lapu Day festival reflect on one-month anniversary of tragedy 3 days ago Duration 8:52 Monday marks one month since the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in South Vancouver. Eleven people were killed after an SUV was driven into a festival crowd on April 26. The Lapu-Lapu Day event was organized by Filipino B.C. In the past month, the group has been liaising directly with victims' families and organizing supports in the community. To reflect on this, we're joined by Filipino B.C. chair RJ Aquino. Watkins says she was standing near the vendors, holding her son's hand, when out of nowhere she was hit from behind. "I didn't see this car, didn't hear this car, nothing," she said. "And I remember mentally processing what was happening to me that just all of a sudden I just got hit and my brain understood it as, 'This was a car that hit you.'" 'Things could be a lot worse' Watkins fell to the ground. Her whole body was in pain, and it hurt to breathe. She says she just told herself to keep her eyes open and keep breathing. Someone quickly put pressure on her head because she was bleeding. An arm's length away, people were trying to resuscitate a girl with no pulse. She panicked and reached out, worried it was her son. Just then, a friend came up and told her not to worry. She had Knox, and he was safe. South Vancouver neighbourhood creates tighter bond in tragedy aftermath 1 day ago Duration 3:06 Watkins was put in an ambulance and sent to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. She says she maintained consciousness through it all. Her injuries included a laceration due to blunt force trauma to her head, fractured vertebrae in her neck, fractured ribs, pelvis and knee. She also had a punctured lung, laceration to her spleen and kidney, and road rash from her ankles all the way up to her head. "I'm very aware of the fact that I'm still here and things could be a lot worse," she said. 'I'm here to tell it' Watkins was in hospital for 10 days. She expected to be there for months. While she was there, she accepted a steady stream of visitors, which she credits for her recovery. Hopped up on painkillers, she recounted what happened hundreds of times. "I don't find it daunting," she said. "I just need people to know what happened because I'm here to tell it." Back at home, Watkins still very much struggles with the pain from her injuries. She says it doesn't take much to leave her exhausted. Her husband is on leave from his job to care for her. Focus on the present Despite what happened to her, Watkins says she has chosen not to let anger overcome her. Instead, she is focusing on having a second chance with her family and the present. And also, the outpouring of love and support from her community. Vancouver Filipino community rallies to support festival tragedy survivors 25 days ago Duration 2:42 A week after 11 people were killed and dozens more were injured at Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day festival, some victims are still in hospital recovering. As Shaurya Kshatri reports, Vancouver's Filipino community is visiting survivors, hoping to provide support during these difficult times. A month later, she says, fundraisers are still happening. The support is still there. But Watkins isn't leaving negative emotions out entirely. Like Apeles, she is critical of B.C.'s mental health system. "He needs help, too," she said of the suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo.
Global News
20-05-2025
- Global News
‘Dangerous data void': Number of B.C. residents on extended leave from involuntary care unknown
Concerns are being raised after the provincial government admitted it does not know how many people are on extended leave from involuntary care stays in B.C. On April 30 it was revealed that the suspect in the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was under the care of a mental health care team but he was on extended leave at the time. Angela Russolillo, assistant professor in nursing at the University of British Columbia, told Global News that involuntary care and extended leave are not new, however, the lack of data on the number of people is an issue. 'It's concerning that the province actually doesn't have a lot of transparent data on who is certified under the Mental Health Act and who is on extended leave in the province,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'We're actually operating in a very dangerous data void in terms of transparent data that's available to inform care decisions and ultimately, the lack of data doesn't allow us to, ultimately, design care and interventions for folks that require services.' According to Fraser Health, extended leave means the person continues to be certified under the Mental Health Act after being discharged from a designated facility. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Reasons for the extended leave are not disclosed but may include: 'The person needs further treatment but they lack the insight into their need for continued treatment and are unwilling to continue treatment in the community; The person's mental and physical health may deteriorate (get worse) without the certification but they don't have to be in a designated facility. In a case of an extended leave, Fraser Health states that the person is still supported by a community mental health team that monitors their mental health and well-being and provides treatment and support as necessary. 1:34 New questions surround investigation of Lapu Lapu Day suspect Adam Lo Russolillo said one of the best ways to inform health care and make decisions is by using data-driven materials. Story continues below advertisement 'Unfortunately, what we're seeing a lot right now in the province is a large reliance on involuntary mental health care in order to provide patients, who might need services, with that care,' she said. 'What we really want to see is more access to community-based mental health care, so that folks can access services in their communities voluntarily and get access to a range of services that might include medication supports but also mental health supports.' In a statement on April 30, the B.C. Ministry of Health said there was no indication of violence in Lo's presentation to his mental health team. It also said there was no recent change in his condition or non-compliance with his treatment plan that would have warranted involuntary hospitalization. Eleven people were killed at the Lapu Lapu festival on April 26 and dozens more were injured. Lo has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and remains in custody. The provincial government was not available on Tuesday to answer questions about people who are on extended leave from involuntary care stays in B.C.
