Latest news with #LapuLapuFestival
Associated Press
3 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Statement by Minister Guilbeault on Filipino Heritage Month
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! SOURCE Canadian Heritage
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Statement by Minister Guilbeault on Filipino Heritage Month
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! SOURCE Canadian Heritage View original content:
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Lapu Lapu festival suspect to appear in court, following psychiatric tests
People gather for a candlelight march during a vigil on the street where a vehicle-ramming attack occurred at the Filipino community's Lapu Lapu Day festival last week, on a provincial day of mourning for the victims, in Vancouver, on Friday, May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER, B.C.—The suspect in the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy is expected in court Friday morning. Adam Kai-Ji Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder after 11 people were killed when an SUV plowed through the Lapu Lapu Day street festival in Vancouver on April 26. Earlier this month, Judge Reg Harris ordered that mental health professionals assess whether the 30-year-old is fit for trial. That application hearing and the case are subject to a broad publication ban that Harris says is 'to protect the fairness of the trial process.' Harris, who allowed the order of a psychiatrist assessment to be reported, says the purpose of the ban is not to restrict public information, but to 'protect the process going forward.' During his last appearance in court, Lo attended by video, wearing red prison fatigues. His lawyer, Mark Swartz, who also appeared by video link, has not responded to interview requests. Police have said more charges are expected against Lo. With files from The Canadian Press
The Province
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Province
B.C. health minister says about 6,000 on 'extended leave' from mental health care
The suspect in last month's Lapu Lapu Day festival attack that killed 11 people was on extended leave from involuntary mental health treatment at the time Published May 26, 2025 • 1 minute read Police investigate the crime scene where a vehicle drove into a crowd of people during the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver. Photo by Andrew Chin / GETTY IMAGES VICTORIA — B.C.'s health minister says almost 6,000 people were on leave from involuntary mental health care in the province last week, pushing back against Opposition claims that the patients aren't being tracked. 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 The status is known as extended leave, in which a person receiving involuntary mental health treatment is allowed back into the community while remaining under care. It's been in focus since it emerged that the suspect in last month's Lapu Lapu Day festival attack that killed 11 people in Vancouver was on extended leave at the time. Claire Rattee, the B.C. Conservatives' critic for mental health and addictions, asked in the legislature why the government had 'no ability to track' patients on extended leave and did not know how many there are. But Health Minister Josie Osborne says while the numbers change on a daily basis, as of last Tuesday there were 5,915 people on extended leave in B.C., including 2,202 in the Vancouver Coastal health region. She says those people have teams assigned to support them and ensure they have access to what they need. Eleven people died when an SUV was driven at high speed through a street crowded with festivalgoers on April 26. Adam Kai-Ji Lo has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and police say he is expected to face more. Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Crime Vancouver Canucks News
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Concerns about trauma beneath the surface 1 month after Lapu Lapu tragedy
Candles burn at a memorial for the Lapu Lapu Day block party tragedy in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/ The Canadian Press) For survivors of the Lapu Lapu festival attack on April 26, physical wounds are beginning to heal. But a month after an SUV plowed into a crowd at the celebration of Filipino culture in south Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens more, there are concerns mental anguish is going untreated. 'There's a crisis starting to emerge and it's just below the surface, and there's a sense that it'll erupt soon,' said RJ Aquino with Filipino BC. While funding has been made available to non-profits to provide mental health supports in the wake of the Lapu Lapu attack, Aquino says not enough people are taking advantage of the treatment. 'They don't want to take resources away from witnesses, and then witnesses don't want to take resources away from people in the hospital, then those folks don't want to take resources away from the families of those who died,' Aquino said. Christi-Ann Watkins, who is recovering from multiple broken bones and road rash over her entire body after being hit from behind by the speeding SUV at the festival, understands that sentiment. 'Mental health and Filipinos is quite new,' she said. 'We were always just taught someone has it worse than you. Mental health, you know, just buck up or just pray.' She is grateful she didn't witness the scenes of carnage like many at the festival. 'For me, the blessing in disguise – besides being alive – is that I didn't see anything. I got hit from behind and then I was on the ground, so all I saw was the sky,' she said. But Watkins' 11-year-old-son, who was also at the festival, did see what happened. 'At this point right now, his brain is protecting him. He doesn't remember anything,' she said. 'But there are other people that saw him that confirmed certain horrific things that he might have seen.' Watkins and Filipino BC are encouraging anyone who's having a difficult time coping after to seek help, whether they attended the festival or not. 'We're seeing it's difficult for many who are experiencing trauma to even realize just how much they've been impacted themselves,' Aquino said. 'We're hearing how they're still like, 'Oh, my friend hasn't left the house.' 'I'm afraid to go across the street until it's absolutely clear.' It really has done a number on people's sense of security and well-being.' He's worried if people continue to suffer in silence, there could be further tragedies. 'It's a dangerous and insidious thing when people start to withdraw, when people start to isolate themselves, not everyone may understand what they're going through, what they're feeling or have the tools to process that themselves,' Aquiino said. There are links to mental health supports connected to Lapu Lapu on
