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Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Northerners come together to honour victims of Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival attack
Hundreds of people gathered in Whitehorse and Yellowknife on Friday to show solidarity with the victims of last week's attack at a Filipino cultural festival in Vancouver. On April 26, a man drove through a crowd of people at the city's Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, killing 11 people and injuring more than 20 others. The festival was a joyful event honouring Datu Lapu Lapu, an Indigenous Filipino freedom fighter who resisted Spanish and Portuguese colonization in the Philippines in the 16th century. Since the attack, communities across Canada have organized vigils and donations for the victims of the tragedy. Friday was also designated a provincial day of mourning in British Columbia. Yellowknife vigil The Yellowknife vigil was organized by the Philippines Cultural Association of Yellowknife (PCAY) and held at Somba K'e Civic Plaza outside of Yellowknife city hall. The event was called Luksang Bayan, meaning Community of mourning. PCAY president Narlie Dapilos began the ceremony by speaking to the Filipino values of Kapwa — solidarity with others — and Bayanihan — coming together — that he saw embodied in the crowd of well over a hundred people, of all demographics. "The significance of this vigil is to show that support, show that Kapwa, that Bayanihan spirit, that we are there for them. Even though we are not there physically, we are there for those who are affected by the tragedy," Dapilos told the crowd. Those remarks were followed by a prayer from Father Brando, a priest who travelled to the event from Norman Wells, N.W.T., a town about 685 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife. The crowd then took 11 minutes of silence to remember each of the victims who died in the attack. Before the event, Dapilos told CBC News that one of the organization's goals was to provide a communal space for members of Yellowknife's Filipino community to heal from the tragedy. "There's strength in community, there's strength in solidarity," he said. "No one has to go through things alone." Cheiyenne Fontanilla, who volunteered to make signs for the event, said it was good to see so many people come together in a time of such sadness. "This Indigenous Filipino concept of Kapua, this shared sense of community, of self, of kindred, it just reflects what Yellowknife, as a community, is as a whole," Fontanilla said. Whitehorse vigil The Whitehorse vigil took place at the Healing Pole on Front Street in the city's downtown. The Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, the Community Cache and the Canadian Filipino Association Yukon (CFAY) organized the event. Leaders from various community groups spoke in solidarity with the Filipino community at the gathering. Lianne Charlie, an organizer who is also a faculty member with the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, hoped the gathering would be an opportunity for different communities to learn from each other and heal together. "As a Northern Tutchone woman, I know that, for our people, we have ethics of caring and sharing. These ethics are embedded in other people's cultures as well," Charlie said. "I really like the idea of us learning that about each other." Community leaders at the gathering spoke of the support the Yukon Filipino community has shown to others. During the gathering, Saba Javed, a member of the Yukon Muslim Society, recalled how the Filipino community immediately welcomed his family — one of the only Pakistani families around. "We have to return that embrace," Javed said. James Antopina, speaking on behalf of the Canadian Filipino Association Yukon during the event, said the support from other communities this past week has meant a lot to him. "As a member of the Filipino community, I can see now how I felt that we are not alone as a minority community," he said. Antopina named the gathering 'I belong to community.' He hopes that message will resonate with each person who attended the gathering. "I wanted the message to be personal," he said. "Whatever happens, or you might be undergoing some problems right now, personally or [with] community or family, the message will say, 'You belong. We are here,'" he said.
CBC
03-05-2025
- CBC
Northerners come together to honour victims of Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival attack
Hundreds attended vigils in Whitehorse, Yellowknife on Friday Hundreds of people gathered in Whitehorse and Yellowknife on Friday to show solidarity with the victims of last week's attack at a Filipino cultural festival in Vancouver. On April 26, a man drove through a crowd of people at the city's Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, killing 11 people and injuring more than 20 others. The festival was a joyful event honouring Datu Lapu Lapu, an Indigenous Filipino freedom fighter who resisted Spanish and Portuguese colonization in the Philippines in the 16th century. Since the attack, communities across Canada have organized vigils and donations for the victims of the tragedy. Friday was also designated a provincial day of mourning in British Columbia. Yellowknife vigil The Yellowknife vigil was organized by the Philippines Cultural Association of Yellowknife (PCAY) and held at Somba K'e Civic Plaza outside of Yellowknife city hall. The event was called Luksang Bayan, meaning Community of mourning. PCAY president Narlie Dapilos began the ceremony by speaking to the Filipino values of Kapwa — solidarity with others — and Bayanihan — coming together — that he saw embodied in the crowd of well over a hundred people, of all demographics. "The significance of this vigil is to show that support, show that Kapwa, that Bayanihan spirit, that we are there for them. Even though we are not there physically, we are there for those who are affected by the tragedy," Dapilos told the crowd. Those remarks were followed by a prayer from Father Brando, a priest who travelled to the event from Norman Wells, N.W.T., a town about 685 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife. The crowd then took 11 minutes of silence to remember each of the victims who died in the attack. Before the event, Dapilos told CBC News that one of the organization's goals was to provide a communal space for members of Yellowknife's Filipino community to heal from the tragedy. "There's strength in community, there's strength in solidarity," he said. "No one has to go through things alone." Image | Yellowknife vigil for Lapu Lapu Day attack Caption: The Luksang Bayan community vigil in Yellowknife included 11 minutes of silence for the people killed in the Vancouver attack. (Sarah Krymalowski/CBC) Open Image in New Tab Cheiyenne Fontanilla, who volunteered to make signs for the event, said it was good to see so many people come together in a time of such sadness. "This Indigenous Filipino concept of Kapua, this shared sense of community, of self, of kindred, it just reflects what Yellowknife, as a community, is as a whole," Fontanilla said. Whitehorse vigil The Whitehorse vigil took place at the Healing Pole on Front Street in the city's downtown. The Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, the Community Cache and the Canadian Filipino Association Yukon (CFAY) organized the event. Leaders from various community groups spoke in solidarity with the Filipino community at the gathering. Lianne Charlie, an organizer who is also a faculty member with the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, hoped the gathering would be an opportunity for different communities to learn from each other and heal together. "As a Northern Tutchone woman, I know that, for our people, we have ethics of caring and sharing. These ethics are embedded in other people's cultures as well," Charlie said. "I really like the idea of us learning that about each other." Community leaders at the gathering spoke of the support the Yukon Filipino community has shown to others. During the gathering, Saba Javed, a member of the Yukon Muslim Society, recalled how the Filipino community immediately welcomed his family — one of the only Pakistani families around. "We have to return that embrace," Javed said. James Antopina, speaking on behalf of the Canadian Filipino Association Yukon during the event, said the support from other communities this past week has meant a lot to him. "As a member of the Filipino community, I can see now how I felt that we are not alone as a minority community," he said. Antopina named the gathering 'I belong to community.' He hopes that message will resonate with each person who attended the gathering. "I wanted the message to be personal," he said.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
UK actor in tears as wife killed and young child injured in horror attack
A British actor has bravely spoken out following the death of his wife when a car rammed into a crowd of festivalgoers in Canada last weekend. Noel Johansen fought back tears as she spoke of his costume designer wife Jenifer Darbellay, 50, at a vigil in Vancouver. An Audi SUV drove into crowds gathered at a festival to honour Filipino heritage. Eleven people were killed and dozens injured. The horror unfolded at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver on Saturday evening, April 26, near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, reports The Mirror. Noel, who has starred in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo and The Good Doctor, was also injured, along with his seven-year-old daughter Darby. His son Ford, 15, also attended the festival. He was on crutches as he attended the vigil on Monday. "What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what's inside my heart is broken," he told the crowd. "Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident. She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself; she thought of herself as small in terms of the reach. "And I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her. So don't be small in life, be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have, and please remember us who went through this." Noel is best known for his work in Hallmark movies including Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters, When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Harvest Love, Reunited at Christmas and Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery. A GoFundMe page has been set up by his friend and business partner to help provide support to the family. At the time of writing, it has raised just under $185,000 CAD (approximately €118,000) of its $200,000 CAD (approximately €128,000) target. Michael Daingerfield said: "I am literally in shock as I write this - but I want to do something for Noel and his two children Ford, 15, and Darby, 7. "This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable. "Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgement, and had the sweetest voice. "She was not only special to me and my family (wife and kids), but she was special to many other friends and people - giving of herself volunteering on the PAC committee at Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Darby's school." The victims included nine females and two males, with ages ranging from five to 65. Up to 100,000 revellers were celebrating the Lapu-Lapu festival when the attack occurred. A 30-year-old man was arrested and the case is not being treated as terrorism. Seven victims were also taken to hospital in a critical condition while three were in a serious condition.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
British actor in tears as wife killed and young child injured in Vancouver attack
A British actor has bravely spoken out following the death of his wife when a car rammed into a crowd of festivalgoers. Noel Johansen fought back tears as she spoke of his costume designer wife Jenifer Darbellay, 50, at a vigil in Vancouver, Canada. An Audi SUV drove into crowds gathered at a festival to honour Filipino heritage. Eleven people were killed and dozens injured. The horror unfolded at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday evening, near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. Noel, who has starred in Psych, Supernatural, Fargo and The Good Doctor, was also injured, along with his seven-year-old daughter Darby. His son Ford, 15, also attended the festival. He was on crutches as he attended the vigil on Monday. "What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what's inside my heart is broken," he told the crowd. "Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident. She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself; she thought of herself as small in terms of the reach. "And I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her. So don't be small in life, be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have, and please remember us who went through this." Noel is best known for his work in Hallmark movies including Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters, When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Harvest Love, Reunited at Christmas and Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery. A GoFundMe page has been set up by his friend and business partner to help provide support to the family. Michael Daingerfield said: "I am literally in shock as I write this - but I want to do something for Noel and his two children Ford, 15, and Darby, 7. "This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable. "Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgement, and had the sweetest voice. "She was not only special to me and my family (wife and kids), but she was special to many other friends and people - giving of herself volunteering on the PAC committee at Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Darby's school." The victims included nine females and two males, with ages ranging from five to 65. Up to 100,000 revellers were celebrating the Lapu-Lapu festival when the attack occurred. A 30-year-old man was arrested and the case is not being treated as terrorism. Seven victims were also taken to hospital in a critical condition while three were in a serious condition.
Global News
30-04-2025
- Global News
Manitoba Filipino community gathers for support following Vancouver tragedy
The Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba is held a vigil Tuesday honouring the victims of Saturday's tragedy in Vancouver, in which a man drove into a crowd with an SUV, killing 11 people. It's one of many ways Manitoba's Filipino community has supported each other since the events at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, a celebration of Filipino culture in its second year. 'It's been heartbreaking. It's been devastating for our community,' said Manitoba Filipino Business Council president Jackie Wild. Wild and the council hosted online support circles Sunday and Tuesday, open to the public. 'As soon as the news hit, the community was coming together on Sunday as quickly as they could to be able to create both online and in-person gathering spaces, safe spaces where people could grieve and heal together,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'It's been a really inspiring few days in many ways because we've actually seen the community come together and rally all of our efforts to ensure that we are taking care of one another and holding one another in this time of need.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It's a sentiment echoed by Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba Inc. President Perla Javate. 'We unite in an instant, when something, an incident like this happens… In the Philippines, when there are calamities, we just band ourselves together and do whatever we can,' she said. Javate said the council is planning an ecumenical service to honour the victims in the coming weeks. She said the incident will inform how the council plans its events during Filipino Heritage Month in June. The tragedy is also on Ley Navarro's mind. As chairman of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, it's moved him to look at the events scheduled for this year's festival. He's made the decision to hold the parade indoors at the Maples Multiplex instead of outside as in previous years. 'It doesn't happen every day, but you never know, right?' he said. 'As chairman, I think I would like to put safety first.' The B.C. Ministry of Health confirmed the suspect, who is in police custody, was under the care of Vancouver Coastal Health's mental health team at the time of the incident. He has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Story continues below advertisement 'We understand that it's random, and we're just hoping for the best, but it shouldn't keep us from doing what we need to do as a community,' Javate said.
