Latest news with #LapuLapuDayfestival
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Filipino BC confirms identities of all 11 people killed in Vancouver festival attack
VANCOUVER – The group that organized the Lapu Lapu Day festival where 11 people were killed last month has released the names of the dead. Filipino BC says in a social media post that its members honour the lives lost in the tragedy and hold their families close in their thoughts. 'May their memory live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them,' its statement says. Here is what we know about the 11 victims: Jendhel Sico Filipino BC and the Lapu Lapu Day festival said on Instagram that 27-year-old Sico was among the victims of the attack. A fundraising page organized by Sico's sister, Maydhel Sico, on the GoFundMe platform, described her as 'kind-hearted with a beautiful soul.' It said Jendhel Sico 'lived her life to the fullest' and always had a smile on her face, bringing positivity to everyone she met. Nerissa Pagkanlungan Filipino BC and the Lapu Lapu Day festival confirmed that Nerissa Pagkanlungan, 46, was killed when a vehicle rammed into a crowd at the event. A GoFundMe fundraising page organized by a family member describes her as a loving wife and devoted sister who was cherished by many. Pagkanlungan also went by the nickname Rizza. 'To know Rizza was to truly love her. She was the sweetest soul, kind-hearted, humble, and hardworking person,' the fundraising page said. It said she immigrated from the Philippines to Winnipeg with her husband in search of a better life before moving to Vancouver to be closer to family. Maria Victoria Bjarnason Maria Victoria Bjarnason's family said she was visiting from the Philippines to see her sons when she was killed at the Lapu Lapu Day festival. Rhona Doria, a member of Bjarnason's extended family who spoke on behalf of them at a memorial mass on Monday, said relatives back in the Philippines had been looking forward to her return last week. 'They're so lost and they're grieving,' Doria said in an interview. Doria said Bjarnason, 55, known as Vicky, was 'the life of the party. She's very bubbly. She's a happy person.' The family was raising funds to send her body back to the Philippines and support her adult sons, Helgi and Thor, and has received more than $110,000 on the GoFundMe platform. A message on the fundraiser organized by Vicky Bjarnason's stepson, Kristjan Bjarnason, said Helgi was holding his mother's hand and tried to pull her out of the path of the SUV that drove through the festival crowd. But both were struck by the vehicle, Helgi Bjarnason suffering injuries including a broken leg, the fundraiser said. It said her sons, who live in British Columbia, are suffering an 'unimaginable loss' and they 'no longer have any parents in their lives.' Kristjan Bjarnason later said on GoFundMe that his stepbrother had been released from hospital. Jenifer Darbellay Jenifer Darbellay, 50, was an artist and mother of two children, ages seven and 15. Her husband, Noel Johansen, described Darbellay as selfless, creative and empathetic. Johansen said he was in search of dessert at the festival when the SUV drove through the crowd. He likened the crash to a 'tidal wave.' 'It hit us before we knew. I was falling in slow motion trying to save my head from smashing in the pavement,' Johansen said. Darbellay was killed, while the rest of the family survived. Johansen said that the day before, the couple was talking about politics and situations in which people seek revenge toward the person who hurt them. He said she told him, 'We need to forgive the perpetrators of the crimes that are committed against us.' Johansen said he's now trying to honour that philosophy. Daniel Samper, Glitza Maria Caicedo and their daughter Glitza Daniela Samper Daniel Samper, 65, his wife Glitza Maria Caicedo, 60, and their daughter Glitza Daniela Samper, 30, were among 11 people killed at the Filipino festival. The family immigrated along with their son, Alejandro, from Colombia to Vancouver in the early 2000s to start a new life. Alejandro Samper said in an interview that his family was his whole world, and his parents sacrificed everything to move them to Canada, in part to escape violence in their native Colombia. Samper said his parents were the 'nicest people' who helped many others, and the family was 'very, very close.' Paola Murillo, executive director of community group Latincouver, a group that helps Latin Americans make B.C. their home, is also from Colombia and said there were few Colombians living in Vancouver when Glitza Maria Caicedo — known as Bachita — volunteered with the group in 2013 and 2015. 'She was always with that huge smile and giving, always coming to the festival even if they were not volunteers,' Murillo said. 'If I think about Glitza when I saw her, she always had this beautiful big smile, caring about animals, caring about people.' Richard Le, Linh Hoang and their daughter Katie Le Richard Le, 47, was a Realtor who had been attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival with his wife and daughter. Toan Le said his older brother was always there when he needed help. 'I remember when I was a kid, I was bullied, and he stepped in, and he ended up getting beat up,' Le said in an interview. A statement from Royal Pacific Realty said Richard Le had been with the company for more than 15 years, and he was also a 'passionate badminton and tennis coach' who spent countless hours mentoring young people. David Choi, president of Royal Pacific Realty, said 'Richard's legacy of kindness, mentorship, and professional excellence will live on in the many lives he touched.' Toan Le said Linh Hoang, 30, was a lovely person and 'a dedicated mother' to Katie and 16-year-old stepson Andy, who did not attend the festival and instead stayed home to finish his homework. Five-year-old Katie Le 'was super energetic,' Le said. 'She had a very lovable personality, and she really loved just being around people.' Kira Salim Kira Salim, 34, was a teacher-counsellor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School. A statement from the superintendent of the school district said Salim's wisdom and care for students had a powerful impact. 'Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives,' the statement said of Salim. LGBTQ+ advocacy group New West Pride posted a tribute, saying Salim was 'an epic drag king, a wonderful exuberant contributor to our local community, volunteer, activist, local educator, mental health worker.' The School of Music at the University of B.C. said in a statement on Facebook that Salim worked at the school's front desk in 2023. They were a 'much-loved member of our community,' the post said, noting their roles as an activist and educator. Murillo said Salim, originally from Brazil, volunteered with Latincouver for the 2022 Latin American Heritage Month celebration and was in charge of the art section. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Kira was curating a lot of that portion of the activity,' Murillo said, adding Salim also curated for their Day of the Dead — Dia de los Muertos — festival. Murillo said Salim's death along with the Samper family has shaken Vancouver's Latin American community to the core. 'For us, it was one of those moments that we said, 'Why?' (They were) somebody who has this open heart to help, to give.' — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published May, 9, 2025.
Toronto Star
03-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Star
‘Unspeakable tragedy': Grief and solidarity at Vancouver festival memorial mass
VANCOUVER - Rev. Francis Galvan was supposed to attend the Lapu Lapu Day festival last Saturday, but he was grieving the death of Pope Francis and wasn't in the mood for celebrating. Galvan, the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Delta, B.C., said that that evening he received a text — 'something terrible had happened' at the Filipino cultural festival.
National Post
30-04-2025
- National Post
Two young Vancouver couples among dead in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
A weekend outing for two Metro Vancouver couples and their family members ended in tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on Saturday. Article content Article content Jendhel May Sico was with her partner, Blaine Redlac, Blaine's best friend, Jordan Mazzotti, and Mazzotti's fiancée, Glitza Samper, at the festival celebrating Filipino culture near Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue when, just after 8 p.m., a black SUV drove into the crowd, killing 11 and injuring dozens. Article content Article content Redlac was planning to propose, but is now lying injured in a hospital bed, devastated about Sico's death. 'He loved her to the moon and back. We got robbed of celebrating them as being married.' Article content Sico, who was in her mid-20s, was a good aunt to her three kids, Gillard said. She worked at a lumber distributor company in Metro Vancouver. Sico and Redlac lived in Port Coquitlam but were planning to move back to Surrey. Article content Article content On Saturday, at the festival, it was Mazzotti who first knew something was wrong. He saw or heard the SUV as it ripped down the street and moved just in time to avoid a fatal hit. Article content 'He grabbed Blaine, he could reach him, he saved him but he couldn't save his own fiancée,' Gillard said of Samper, through tears. The couple had just recently got engaged. Article content 'These were the kind of women you want to be in your family,' she said. 'They were just the nicest people, the sweetest, the most caring. Our world is less beautiful today because the two of them aren't in it.' Article content Article content The damage to the extended Sico family was also immense. Sico's cousin AJ Sico remains in hospital fighting for his life. Article content An online fundraiser said AJ has 'devastating injuries' including broken legs, a lacerated liver, internal bleeding near a major artery, and brain swelling and is currently on dialysis. Article content Sico's family is trying to raise funds for her wake and funeral services. Article content Her sister Maydhel described Sico, who was known to family as May, as a kind and beautiful soul.
The Province
30-04-2025
- The Province
Two young Metro Vancouver couples among dead in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
'He grabbed Blaine, he could reach him, he saved him but he couldn't save his own fiancée.' Jendhel May Sico and her partner Blaine Redlac. Sico was killed in Vancouver's Lapu Lapu day tragedy. Photo by Submitted A weekend outing for two Metro Vancouver couples and their family members ended in tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on Saturday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Jendhel May Sico was with her partner, Blaine Redlac, Blaine's best friend, Jordan Mazzotti, and Jordan's fiancée, Glitza Samper, at the festival celebrating Filipino culture near Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue when, just after 8 p.m., a black SUV drove into the crowd, killing 11 and injuring dozens. Sico and Samper died. 'She brought light to my brother's life. She brought light to everyone's life,' said Alicia Gillard of Sico, who had been with Redlac since they were teenagers growing up in Surrey, Redlac was planning to propose, but is now lying injured in a hospital bed, devastated about Sico's death. 'He loved her to the moon and back. We got robbed of celebrating them as being married.' Sico, who was in her mid-20s, was a good aunt to her three kids, Gillard said. Sico worked at a lumber distributor company in Metro Vancouver. Sico and Redlac lived in Port Coquitlam but were planning to move back to Surrey. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jendhel May Sico and her partner Blaine Redlac Photo by Submitted On Saturday, at the festival, it was Jordan who first knew something was wrong. He saw or heard the SUV as it ripped down the street and moved just in time to avoid a fatal hit. 'He grabbed Blaine, he could reach him, he saved him but he couldn't save his own fiancée,' Gillard said of Glitza, through tears. The couple had just recently got engaged. 'These were the kind of women you want to be in your family,' she said. 'They were just the nicest people, the sweetest, the most caring. Our world is less beautiful today because the two of them aren't in it.' Glitza's parents, Glitza Maria Caicedo and Daniel Samper, were also killed in the attack, Samper's brother Alejandro confirmed to The Canadian Press. Alejandro Samper, left to right, his sister Glitza Daniela Samper, his mother Glitza Maria Caicedo and his father Daniel Samper are shown in this undated handout photo. Photo by HO / The Canadian Press The damage to the extended Sico family was also immense. Sico's cousin AJ Sico remains in hospital fighting for his life. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An online fundraiser said AJ has 'devastating injuries' including broken legs, a lacerated liver, internal bleeding near a major artery, and brain swelling and is currently on dialysis. Sico's family is trying to raise funds for her wake and funeral services. Her sister Maydhel described Sico, who was known to family as May, as a kind and beautiful soul. 'She lived her life to the fullest. She always had a smile on her face and everyone that knows her would agree that she brought positivity to everyone she met,' she wrote on the GoFundMe page. Mixed with the grief and sorrow were feelings of anger and frustration at the news the man charged in the mass killing was under the care of a mental health team and on extended leave at the time of the festival. 'That's what we are all broken about,' Gillard said, who questioned why Lo wasn't in the care of health care professionals. 'He shouldn't have been out to murder people. 'Now we've lost everybody. This man shouldn't have been out. This man took everybody from us.' chchan@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Local News Vancouver Whitecaps Local News News
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Indian Express
Suspect in Vancouver car ramming attack that killed 11, charged with 8 counts of murder
The suspect in the deadly car ramming attack in Canada's Vancouver that killed 11 people and injured dozen others at a Filipino heritage festival has been charged with eight counts of second degree murder, prosecutors said. British Columbia prosecution service said that a possibility of adding more charges against suspect Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30 was possible as the investigating team ruled out the terror angle and informed that suspect Lo has had a history of mental health issues. Lo, who is a resident of Vancouver, appeared in court after being detained on Saturday and continues to remain in custody, prosecutors said. Update: Suspect charged in Lapu Lapu Day mass-casualty incident A suspect has been charged with murder in the death of multiple festival-goers at a Filipino community block party Saturday night. Eleven people, aged 5 to 65, were killed, and more than two dozen others injured… — Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) April 27, 2025 Canada PM Mark Carney, who visited the attack site in Vancouver on Sunday, said that the attack which came two days ahead of national election had left the country 'shocked, devastated and heartbroken'. Vancouver police chief Steve Rai called the deadly car ramming attack 'the darkest day' in history and told the media that it was 'impossible to overstate how many lives have been impacted for ever' by the lone driver. The attack at the Lapu Lapu festival has left our country shocked, devastated, and heartbroken. To those grieving, to those who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver: Canada is mourning with you, and we are united behind you. — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025 Rai further added in the press briefing that 'The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.' Till now, the authorities have not released the names of the victims but have said the deceased are aged between five and 65. Some of those injured remain in a critical condition. At least 11 people were killed and dozens of them were injured when a black SUV plowed into the crowd of people gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day festival around 8pm on Saturday. The driver, Lo, was arrested by the authorities at the incident site. Vancouver police chief Rai told the media that the suspect Lo was apprehended by the public before being arrested by authorities. When asked if a video which is being circulated on social media showing a man surrounded by bystanders and screaming and swearing 'I'm sorry,' was Lo, Rai declined to comment on it.
