Latest news with #Lapu-LapuFestival
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Statement by Minister Guilbeault on Filipino Heritage Month Français
The Government of Canada issues a statement to mark Filipino Heritage Month OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - Today marks the start of Filipino Heritage Month. This is an opportunity to highlight the achievements and experiences of the third largest Asian community in the country. The Filipino community in Canada is one of the fastest-growing populations, now representing nearly one million people. This community has played a vital role in helping build a stronger and more vibrant Canada. Tragically, this year's celebrations are overshadowed by the horrific attack at Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Festival on April 26, which claimed the lives of 11 people and left many others injured. This senseless act of violence has deeply affected not only the Filipino community, but all Canadians. As we share in your sorrow and loss, we also stand in solidarity and hope. May this month continue to be a symbol of unity, resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Filipino Canadians have made lasting contributions to this country's vibrant history and continue to shape its future. Members of the community have made their mark in diverse fields including health care, entrepreneurship, the arts, sport, science, finance, social justice and politics. They are integral to our country and have played a key role in building the unified, inclusive society that, today, makes us so proud to be Canadian. Throughout June, I encourage everyone to learn more about the rich traditions and history of the Filipino-Canadian community. And to those celebrating Philippine independence on June 12, I wish you a joyful 127th anniversary. Magkakasama tayo – we are in this together!
Filipino Times
30-04-2025
- Filipino Times
Filipino community in Vancouver grieves after deadly car-ramming attack at Lapu-Lapu Festival
The Filipino community in Vancouver is in mourning following a tragic car-ramming attack during the Lapu-Lapu Festival over the weekend, which claimed the lives of 11 people and left 20 others injured. Filipinos in Canada are struggling to come to terms with the horrifying event, recalling the shock and disbelief they felt as the joyous celebration quickly turned to chaos. Ramon Lavin, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and coffee shop manager in Vancouver, was among the witnesses of the incident. Speaking through a Zoom interview, he shared how the festive atmosphere shifted abruptly to panic and confusion. 'The joy of Filipinos turned into shock so quickly. We were all so happy, and then this happened. We were in shock and wanted answers,' Lavin said. He described how he and his companions were waiting in line for food when the chaos began. 'We were so hungry because we didn't get a chance to leave the concert. While we were in line, there were so many people walking around. Suddenly, we heard a noise coming from Fraser Street. At first, we thought it was just fireworks, but then people started running, and it all became chaos. We were panicking, not knowing what to do.' Lavin revealed that it has been difficult to return to work, as his coffee shop is located directly across from where the tragedy occurred. 'It's painful because my work is right there, and I always see it, just across the street. I wonder how my Filipino customers are doing. It happened so fast. People were running and hiding. We were all screaming, trying to understand what was happening.' Another OFW, Romeo Vasquez, recalled that he had just left the area minutes before the attack occurred. 'Even now, my skin still crawls. Fifteen minutes before it happened, I was on that street looking for an open food truck. I'm lucky I left when I did,' he said. 'Then, the police came pouring in. We thought it was just a minor accident, but when our friends sent us pictures, we realized the magnitude of what happened. The police had barricades up everywhere.' Ting Caturla, a board member of the Pinoy Festival Alliance Society and a community advocate, described the aftermath as traumatic. 'It was a scene of horror. People were crying, hugging each other, trying to help the injured, but feeling helpless,' she said. In honor of the victims, the community has organized flower offerings, prayer vigils, and other tributes. 'This event, the Lapu-Lapu Festival, represents courage. We shouldn't let fear defeat us. We fight by rising up and facing this together,' Caturla said, adding that churches of various denominations have held vigil services in support of those affected. GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to assist victims and their families, including a fundraiser for a father and his two-year-old son, both critically injured in the attack. At the time of writing, the families of the victims have requested privacy during this difficult time.
Toronto Star
29-04-2025
- Toronto Star
Man accused in Vancouver attack sought money for brother's funeral, struggling mother in online fundraisers
The man in the video is surrounded by people, including a security guard, as onlookers shout at him. He looks toward the camera and says, simply: 'I'm sorry.' The video, posted to social media, appears to capture the moment after bystanders had detained a man now accused of barrelling through revellers at a popular Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11, including a five-year-old girl and her parents. Murder charges have been filed against a suspect in a car ramming attack that killed 11 people between the ages of 5 and 65 at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver. (AP Video shot by Claire Rush / April 28, 2025) What little is known about Kai-Ji Adam Lo includes a series of personal tragedies in the months leading up to Saturday night's attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Police have said the 30-year-old had no criminal record, but did have a 'significant history of interactions with police related to mental health.' Those interactions included contact with police the day before the attack, Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison told reporters Monday. He did not provide details of the encounter. Addison did say that police interactions with Lo 'did not rise to the level where mental health intervention was required.' British Columbia 'Shocked and heartbroken': Five-year-old girl, her parents and Vancouver teacher among 11 killed in Filipino street festival tragedy Eleven people, ranging from age five to 65, were killed and more than 30 people were hurt in A Facebook account appearing to belong to Lo said he was from Taiwan. It also listed University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business under education. A spokesperson for UBC, Matthew Ramsey, confirmed Monday that Lo graduated with an arts degree in 2019. Accused's brother slain last year In January 2024, Lo's older brother, Alexander Lo, was found dead in a house a short drive from the family home in East Vancouver. A 39-year-old man was charged by Vancouver police with second-degree murder in the elder Lo brother's death. The man, Dwight William Kematch, has pleaded not guilty and faces trial. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In a GoFundMe page that was taken down in the wake of the festival attack, Lo asked for help funding his brother's funeral expenses. In it, he described the anguish endured by his mother. 'The realization that he'll never return home pains both me and my financially strained mother, unable to afford proper funeral expenses,' the post said. People place candles on 41st and Fraser in Vancouver on Sunday, a day after a car drove into a crowd during the Lapu-Lapu Festival. DON MACKINNON AFP via Getty Images On Facebook last year, Lo posted on his brother's page: 'Still missing you brother.' The fundraiser also said his mother took out 'significant loans' to build her older son a 'modest tiny home' that caused 'painful encounters' with unnamed builders. A civil suit in Lo and his mother's name filed in B.C.'s provincial court names a company over 'poor workmanship' and other faults in constructing a laneway home at their property years earlier. Lo posted second fundraiser In August, Lo posted a new fundraiser, this time to aid his mother, who he said had tried to take her own life. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'This is due to several things: the sudden passing of my brother and that she has immense bills to pay and has struggled for a long time due to high interest rates,' and worry over losing her home, that post said. Property records show the home was purchased in a cash sale in 2006 for $653,999. It remains listed in Lo's mother's name. It was her son who found his mother unconscious and called for an ambulance, he wrote. Vancouver tragedy: What we know about the victims and the accused in the Filipino festival vehicle ramming 'I cannot stand to see her suffer anymore, and there's nothing I can do to help her.' That was August 2024. Public records show Lo's mother co-signed a car loan with her son in 2017 for a 2018 Audi Q7. At the festival site, a black Audi SUV was visible on scene after the attack. Police said Monday that in the wake of the attack they have searched Lo's residence, a two-storey home on a suburban street less than three kilometres from the festival site. Lo stands charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Police said Monday they are anticipating that further charges will be laid.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Nothing about this makes sense,' local Filipino community grieves over Vancouver tragedy
The horrific car ramming attack in Vancouver, British Columbia is still top of mind for many throughout the Pacific Northwest, especially for the Filipino American community in Seattle. On Monday, a vigil took place in the Chinatown International District as a way to mourn and honor the 11 lives lost, and hope for a speedy recovery for the dozens injured. 'We are extending the arms of this community to hold you as we can to offer whatever kind of help and support that we can,' said Terrance Santos, who attended the vigil Monday night. This tragedy hits especially hard for those from Western Washington who were at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver right before the horrific act. Vita-Grace Israel Cabanilla and her dance troupe performed at the festival. 'We were eating food on that same street. And I saw some of the same people in the videos and I was like, 'I recognize that person',' she said. She tells KIRO 7 that the past 48 hours have been incredibly hard for her and everyone she was with that day. 'I'm not good. I've been processing... I mean, like any young adult, it's hard,' she said. Israel Cabanilla and many others who attended Monday's vigil say their community is strong and will get through this together. 'One thing that the Filipino community has always been good at is standing up when we are unrecognized. Standing up when other people aren't there to support us, uplifting each other in times of crisis and in times of tragedy,' she affirmed. There will be another vigil at the Filipino Community of Seattle on Tuesday, April 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Vancouver Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
'Our hearts are broken': Apl.de. Ap, J-Rey speak out after Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
Article content Headlining performers from the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party took to social media to share their sentiments following the festival tragedy. Article content Ap and J-Rey, both of the American musical group Black Eyed Peas, issued a joint statement on Instagram on Sunday noting their 'hearts are broken for the victims, their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Festival.' Article content The two artists had just left the mainstage of the event where they led the festival's entertainment offering on Saturday night before a black SUV sped through a pedestrian-only area at the Filipino community celebrations in south Vancouver. Article content 'J-Rey and I had just finished performing and left the stage minutes before it happened,' Ap shared in the post. According to a press release shared prior to the festival, the event was scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The car drove into the crowd around 8:14 p.m., according to police. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@apldeap) Article content Adding sentiments of thanks for all who had checked in following the tragedy, Ap asked fans and followers to keep the victims, families and organizers of the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in their prayers. Article content 'They need all the love and strength right now,' said Ap. Article content Article content While shared as a joint statement, J-Rey took to the comments section of the social media post to add additional sentiments. Article content 'We came to Vancouver to celebrate and be with our community,' the Filipino-American singer wrote. 'Devastated beyond words to learn about the tragedy that unfolded. Still in shock. Thoughts and prayers to everyone and all the families affected. Sending love and prayers to all the Filipinos in B.C.' Article content Article content Swiggle Mandela also performed at the Vancouver festival on Saturday. Accompanied by a video from the day, which shows the rapper performing in front of a crowd, the rapper highlighted the positivity he witnessed at the event prior to the car-ramming attack. Article content Article content 'I witnessed the horrific tragedy that took away so many innocent loving people in a senseless act of violence,' Swiggle Mandela shared. 'And while the whole world is mourning for obvious reasons, I also want to highlight the positivity and how incredible Lapu Lapu Day was, because majority of what is being shown is the negativity that took place, and I think it is important to try and share some positivity.' Article content The Portland-based artist said he is 'heartbroken for Vancouver B.C. and the Filipino community worldwide' and pledged to do whatever he can to help the victims.
