Latest news with #LapuLapuday
CTV News
30-04-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Vancouver Mayor Sim calls for mental health reform, city review after Lapu Lapu day tragedy
Vancouver Mayor Sim calls for mental health reform, city review after Lapu Lapu day tragedy Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city will review safety protocols after the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy and is calling for urgent mental health reforms.
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. 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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
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Vancouver car attack: What is Lapu Lapu Day street festival?
Vancouver was rocked this weekend as tragedy struck while people were celebrating Lapu Lapu Day , a celebration that is all about remembering the Filipino national hero who bravely battled Spanish colonization. A car-ramming attack killed at least 11 and injured dozens more, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a celebratory commemoration. What is Lapu Lapu day? Lapu Lapu, the Mactan Island chief in the Philippines, is noted for his victory in 1521, where he commanded his troops to repel the Spanish expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The victory is now a symbol of courage and resistance against colonization, with Lapu Lapu being hailed as a national hero, the Gaurdian reported. In 2023, British Columbia made April 27 officially Lapu Lapu Day, a celebration of Filipino heritage and recognition of the Filipino people's contributions to the cultural heritage of the province. Vancouver's festivities, which drew thousands, were intended to capture the pride, history, and vitality of Filipino culture. The celebration involved music, parades, cultural dances, basketball games, and a display of Filipino cuisine and homemade products. But the happy celebration was suddenly brought to a halt when a vehicle ran into the crowd, triggering panic and pandemonium. Organizers showed their deepest regret, saying, "We are devastated for the families and victims. We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy." The Filipino community in British Columbia , numbering 172,915 in 2021, has expanded greatly over the past several years. Still, many of the community's members persist in paying homage to the legacy of such individuals as Lapu Lapu, whose resistance to foreign domination continues to inspire pride and solidarity. April 27 is also celebrated as Lapu Lapu Day in the Philippines. Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island has a month-long festivity, which includes market stalls, parade, and reenactment of the Battle of Mactan . Prior to the attack, the Vancouver rally had been charged with passion and respect for Lapu Lapu's contribution to Filipino identity and resistance. Organizers pointed out that the event symbolized "the soul of native resistance" and underscored the strength of unity in upholding cultural heritage.
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Vancouver car ramming attack suspect charged with murder
he suspect vehicle is seen with the driver's door open, as bodies of victims lie covered on the ground, after it drove into a crowd at a Lapu Lapu day block party, in which police say multiple people were killed and injured, in Vancouver, Canada April 27, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article A 30-year-old man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder after allegedly killing 11 people in a car ramming attack at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver on Saturday night. Lo, who has a history of mental health issues, appeared in court via video on Sunday. Authorities confirmed that terrorism was not the motive for the attack, and additional charges may be forthcoming. The attack occurred at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, where a black Audi SUV sped down a closed street, striking attendees between the ages of 5 and 65. Two dozen others were injured, some critically. Witnesses described horrifying scenes, with bodies scattered across the road as bystanders rushed to help. Lo was detained by witnesses before police arrived at the scene. Vancouver's Mayor Kenneth Sim called the incident "the darkest day in Vancouver's history." Prime Minister Mark Carney, who canceled his campaign events, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the Filipino Canadian community. The attack, reminiscent of a similar 2018 incident in Toronto, occurred on the eve of Canada's federal election, with both local and national leaders showing support for the victims' families. The Filipino community in Vancouver, which makes up nearly 6% of the city's population, was gathered to honor Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous hero. Authorities are working with the Philippine Consulate to assist the victims' families and ensure thorough investigation.
Channel 4
27-04-2025
- Channel 4
Vancouver: SUV drives into festival crowd – at least 11 dead
At least 11 people were killed and many others injured after a vehicle ploughed into crowds at a Filipino festival in Vancouver to celebrate Lapu Lapu day. The Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said he was devastated and heartbroken to hear of the tragedy. A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene – although police have not revealed a motive they say they're confident it was not terror related.
