Latest news with #Conwi
Global News
01-05-2025
- Global News
Filipino chef turns talents to feeding victims of Vancouver's Lapu Lapu tragedy
A Vancouver Filipino chef is throwing his kitchen behind efforts to aid the victims of the car-ramming attack at the Lapu Lapu Festival on Saturday. 'Filipino food and Filipino culture is all about comfort, all about giving you, like, what did mom used to feed you,' said TJ Conwi, owner of Ono Vancouver. 'So you get messages like hey, I have food but it's mostly Caucasian food. But now we are sending them adobo … things that would at least remind them of good times and the sense that somebody out there cares for them.' 3:15 Reluctant Lapu Lapu Day hero speaks out Conwi was actually at the Filipino festival in South Vancouver the day of the attack, but left hours before a man drove an SUV into the crowds killing 11 and injuring dozens of others. Story continues below advertisement The tragedy, he said, touched him personally. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Like him, many members of the Filipino community attending the festival had come to Canada seeking a better life — only to have the promise of safety and opportunity ripped away. Conwi, who already produces up to 1,200 community meals a week through his catering business for charities, including those on the Downtown Eastside, decided he needed to help. That's when he began talking with other members of the local chef community about how they could coordinate a food delivery and meal pickup. 'You think about the son who just went there for breakdancing and instead of thinking about school on Monday, is in the ICU, the son that stayed home to do his homework is now without family, right?' Conwi said, fighting back tears. 'It really hits you hard. You get close to them. And the only thing that brings you up is like, hey, I can contribute meals for you. Like mom is probably one of the best cooks, cooks Filipino food, maybe we can do that.' 2:14 Fake Lapu Lapu victim fundraiser removed from platform The message has resonated with Conwi's staff, who have thrown themselves into the initiative. Story continues below advertisement 'It just shook me to my core as soon as I heard the news,' Ono sous chef Janice Quinto said. 'We're all one big happy community that got hit so hard by something so close to home and it's so amazing to see all of the nations really coming together,' she added. 'We have this saying, like we help each other,r they call it Bayanihan, so every time that something happens, we make sure to help each other,' added cook Jim Renz De Guzman. 'We can cook, that's our talent.' The suspect in the killings, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, though police say more charges could still be approved. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has since confirmed Lo was under the care of a mental health care team but he was on extended leave at the time. As of Wednesday, 16 people remained in hospital from the attack, five of them in critical condition.
Vancouver Sun
29-04-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver chefs launch meal program to help victims, families of Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
Article content Food is an important pillar of Filipino culture. Article content Article content 'To us, food is nourishment, it heals, it is a sign of love,' says Chef T.J. Conwi of Ono Vancouver. 'As chefs, it's our way of showing how much we care and how we can be helpers during this difficult time.' Article content Conwi, along with Maj Yee, owner of Goldilocks Bake Shop, are leaning in to the healing ability of food in order to help support those impacted by the April 26 Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. Article content Article content 'When the tragedy struck, we asked ourselves, 'How can we help?,' ' Yee says. 'We know affected families and victims need nourishment during this time, and not to have to worry about cooking. That is how it all started.' Article content Article content 'We have many volunteers helping us with driving and delivery,' Conwi says. 'And, it's not just us — other Filipino restaurants and food concepts have come onboard to donate, including Lee's Donuts, Shameless Buns, Klasik Inasal, and Kulinarya.' Article content Yee says the response from local Filipino chefs, restaurateurs and food manufacturers offering donations and food delivery to families affected by the weekend's tragic event has been 'tremendous.' Article content Article content Article content 'We've directly delivered meals to seven families so far, as well as meals to volunteers who are helping at various emergency response centres,' says Conwi. 'We are also in touch with both Filipino B.C. and Mabuhay House to organize meals.' Article content Both in attendance at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, where a man drove a black SUV into a crowd of festivalgoers shortly after 8 p.m., the tragedy hits particularly close to home. But they say the desire to assist their community would have been present no matter the need.
CBC
29-04-2025
- CBC
Community rallies around those affected by Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy
Days after 11 people were killed and dozens of others were injured at Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day festival, those affected and their families have received an outpouring of support from the community. Be it through monetary donations, blood donations, providing services, or just offering a listening ear, community members say the response has been overwhelming. "I'm deeply humbled and grateful that the Filipino community has so many friends," R.J. Aquino, chair of Filipino B.C. and organizer of the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, said at a Sunday evening vigil. "A lot of us are still numb." On Saturday evening, as the festival was wrapping up in the area of Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue, an SUV was driven into a crowd of people. Those killed ranged in age from five to 65. A 30-year-old Vancouver man has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Hundreds have gathered at vigils in Vancouver and across Canada in the days since, with attendees offering gifts, prayers, and a sense of community. WATCH | Crowd sings 'Amazing Grace' at vigil for Lapu-Lapu Day victims: Mourners gather in song to pay tribute to Lapu-Lapu Day festival victims 4 hours ago Duration 1:09 As of Tuesday morning, more than $1.5 million had been raised across eight verified online fundraisers for victims of the tragedy. Almost all had surpassed their goal at the time of publishing. Toan Le started an online fundraiser for his 16-year-old nephew, Andy, who lost three family members in the attack: his father, step-mother, and younger sister. At the time of publishing, the campaign had raised more than $500,000. "The support from the community is tremendous," said Le, adding he did not anticipate the amount that was raised. "I just can't say enough." Meals for the community T.J. Conwi is offering support in what he said is a very Filipino way. The local chef and owner of Ono Vancouver has rallied dozens of chefs and volunteers to help cook and deliver meals to those affected by the attack. "For Filipinos, it always starts and ends with food," Conwi said. "I would love to get rid of that headache to try to get meals." Conwi said he already ran a community meal program out of his catering company, providing food for several charities each week. Now, he is creating a food hub specifically for families of victims and anyone else in need of meals in the aftermath of Saturday. "This is the spirit that is instilled in me as a Filipino, is to be giving," Conwi said. "To do it for my own community is a blessing." He said the amount of interest he has received from other restaurants and those who are able to deliver food has been outstanding. "We're just gearing up to be able to help more." WATCH | Four Lapu-Lapu Day attack victims identified: 4 victims killed in Vancouver festival attack identified 15 hours ago Duration 2:30 Four people have been identified as among those who were killed at a Filipino festival in South Vancouver over the weekend. As Jon Hernandez reports, a total of 11 people have died after a vehicle rammed the crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival. Cyril de Ramos is working with Conwi to coordinate the delivery of food and drinks. He said they are also delivering to workers who are caring for the victims. "Hearing stories about nurses … they're Filipino. They're all talking about how they're being slammed right now," said de Ramos. "We're all so tight knit, this ... is really impacting us around the world and Filipinos everywhere." Canadian Blood Services said in a Sunday statement that appointments around Vancouver over the next few weeks filled up rapidly following the tragedy. Charmaine Charity, a local health-care worker, is organizing a group blood donation with family and friends and encouraged others to do the same.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
After deadly crash, Vancouver Filipinos say they're leaning on 'kapwa,' or togetherness
Thirty minutes after Diana Silva, a vendor at the Filipino festival in Vancouver, left the party Saturday night, she heard that a car had plowed into the crowd at the event. Silva said she immediately began thinking of how to help. It's one example of how Filipino Canadians in the area's tight-knit community have been participating in vigils, planning fundraisers for victims and providing meals to locals immediately after the attack. TJ Conwi, a Filipino Canadian chef who has lived in the area for about 30 years, said the immediate acts of communal care reflect the concept of 'kapwa,' a Tagalog word that means the interconnectedness and togetherness in the Filipino community. 'When you say 'we're kapwa,' you're talking about a whole community. You're talking about how we all fall together and all rise together, whatever it is that we go through. And it's just so powerful to see that at the vigil yesterday,' said Conwi, 48, who attended the festival with family members the morning of the tragedy. 'It's automatic, it's given, it's not even earned.' The attack killed 11 people and injured more than two dozen others. The victims were 5 to 65 years old, officials said at a news conference Sunday, adding that the death toll could rise. So far, law enforcement has sidestepped discussing a motive, but it has ruled out terrorism as a possibility. Officials said the suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, who has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, had a history of mental illness and was known to police. Filipino Canadians in the area say they are shaken. The ethnic group is the third-largest Asian immigrant population in the country, behind Indians and Chinese, at roughly 957,355 people as of the 2021 census. While the largest community is in the greater Toronto area, Vancouver is also home to a significant population, with roughly 141,230 people of Filipino descent, making up 5.4% of the metro area. Filipinos began sustained immigration to Canada in the 1960s as a deteriorating economy in the Philippines coincided with a Canadian labor shortage. Many went to the country for jobs in nursing and patient services, as well as to fill other gaps in the country's labor market. By 2016, Filipinos held just under a third of those roles. And for decades, the community has flourished to include small-business owners, leaders and other prominent figures. Locals said the festival that was attacked is one of the largest Filipino celebrations of the year, honoring the 16th century Filipino chieftain Datu Lapu-Lapu, who defeated Spanish forces and remains a symbol of resistance against colonialism. The event was a rare chance for Filipinos across the lower mainland to gather in one place, many said. Conwi, who leads a group of Filipino chefs who provide meals to charities in the area, said that though Filipino Canadian locals are still in shock, the crash hasn't stopped them from pitching in to uplift one another. Conwi said the weekend was filled with Zoom calls and coordination from community organizations to ensure that counseling, food and other resources were taken care of. He and other chefs in his collective have been cooking and distributing meals to families and grieving residents, as well. 'In less than five, 10 hours, people woke up with purpose like you wouldn't believe. People didn't even have time to process this, but people are already coming together,' Conwi said. 'It just all came about organically. It's so quick.' Silva, owner of the Filipino bakery Cake It Easy Desserts, said she has been selling cupcakes, with 100% of the proceeds going to fundraisers for the victims. She said it has been difficult to come to terms with the tragedy. 'It's such a different feeling knowing that you were there just before it happened,' Silva, 41, said of the chilling experience. 'I have a 7-year-old and a 5-year-old, and they were running around two blocks away from where it actually happened.' Silva said that during a vigil for the victims, community members didn't hesitate to start brainstorming ideas to help. It's almost reflective of the occasion they were supposed to celebrate, she said. 'Lapu-Lapu is all about resilience, and he stood up for the Philippines,' Silva said. 'I think that's what our community is doing now.' Celine Bacani, a Filipino Canadian who owns Lee's Donuts in the city, said it has also been heartening to see those outside the community support Filipinos on what was supposed to be a joyous weekend. Leaders from across Canada spoke out, Bacani said, which 'spoke volumes.' Filipinos abroad also offered their solidarity with the local Vancouver community. Bacani, 42, who was born and raised in Vancouver, said the community has a long road of healing ahead. 'Filipinos, by nature, are really caring and nurturing people. We are here to always help others,' she article was originally published on
NBC News
28-04-2025
- NBC News
After deadly crash, Vancouver Filipinos say they're leaning on 'kapwa,' or togetherness
Thirty minutes after Diana Silva, a vendor at the Filipino festival in Vancouver, left the party Saturday night, she heard that a car had plowed into the crowd at the event. Silva said she immediately began thinking of how to help. It's one example of how Filipino Canadians in the area's tight-knit community have been participating in vigils, planning fundraisers for victims and providing meals to locals immediately after the attack. TJ Conwi, a Filipino Canadian chef who has lived in the area for about 30 years, said the immediate acts of communal care reflect the concept of 'kapwa,' a Tagalog word that means the interconnectedness and togetherness in the Filipino community. 'When you say 'we're kapwa,' you're talking about a whole community. You're talking about how we all fall together and all rise together, whatever it is that we go through. And it's just so powerful to see that at the vigil yesterday,' said Conwi, 48, who attended the festival with family members the morning of the tragedy. 'It's automatic, it's given, it's not even earned.' The attack killed 11 people and injured more than two dozen others. The victims were 5 to 65 years old, officials said at a news conference Sunday, adding that the death toll could rise. So far, law enforcement has sidestepped discussing a m otive, but it has ruled out terrorism as a possibility. Officials said the suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, who has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, had a history of mental illness and was known to police. Filipino Canadians in the area say they are shaken. The ethnic group is the third-largest Asian immigrant population in the country, behind Indians and Chinese, at roughly 957,355 people as of the 2021 census. While the largest community is in the greater Toronto area, Vancouver is also home to a significant population, with roughly 141,230 people of Filipino descent, making up 5.4% of the metro area. Filipinos began sustained immigration to Canada in the 1960s as a deteriorating economy in the Philippines coincided with a Canadian labor shortage. Many went to the country for jobs in nursing and patient services, as well as to fill other gaps in the country's labor market. By 2016, Filipinos held just under a third of those roles. And for decades, the community has flourished to include small-business owners, leaders and other prominent figures. Locals said the festival that was attacked is one of the largest Filipino celebrations of the year, honoring the 16th century Filipino chieftain Datu Lapu-Lapu, who defeated Spanish forces and remains a symbol of resistance against colonialism. The event was a rare chance for Filipinos across the lower mainland to gather in one place, many said. Conwi, who leads a group of Filipino chefs who provide meals to charities in the area, said that though Filipino Canadian locals are still in shock, the crash hasn't stopped them from pitching in to uplift one another. Conwi said the weekend was filled with Zoom calls and coordination from community organizations to ensure that counseling, food and other resources were taken care of. He and other chefs in his collective have been cooking and distributing meals to families and grieving residents, as well. 'In less than five, 10 hours, people woke up with purpose like you wouldn't believe. People didn't even have time to process this, but people are already coming together,' Conwi said. 'It just all came about organically. It's so quick.' Silva, owner of the Filipino bakery Cake It Easy Desserts, said she has been selling cupcakes, with 100% of the proceeds going to fundraisers for the victims. She said it has been difficult to come to terms with the tragedy. 'It's such a different feeling knowing that you were there just before it happened,' Silva, 41, said of the chilling experience. 'I have a 7-year-old and a 5-year-old, and they were running around two blocks away from where it actually happened.' Silva said that during a vigil for the victims, community members didn't hesitate to start brainstorming ideas to help. It's almost reflective of the occasion they were supposed to celebrate, she said. 'Lapu-Lapu is all about resilience, and he stood up for the Philippines,' Silva said. 'I think that's what our community is doing now.' Celine Bacani, a Filipino Canadian who owns Lee's Donuts in the city, said it has also been heartening to see those outside the community support Filipinos on what was supposed to be a joyous weekend. Leaders from across Canada spoke out, Bacani said, which 'spoke volumes.' Filipinos abroad also offered their solidarity with the local Vancouver community. Bacani, 42, who was born and raised in Vancouver, said the community has a long road of healing ahead. 'Filipinos, by nature, are really caring and nurturing people. We are here to always help others,' she said.
