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Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Family in B.C. festival tragedy celebrates small victories on long road to recovery
VANCOUVER - Even the smallest victories are being celebrated by Roland Nulada and his family, as he recovers from devastating injuries suffered in the Lapu Lapu festival attack in Vancouver. On Monday, it was Nulada's first meal in 16 days — soup and baked macaroni, 'the very soft ones,' says his older sister, Pinky Nulada, in the Vancouver hospital room where her brother is recovering from brain surgery, as well as operations on a broken arm and leg. He can sit up now, for 30 minutes at a time in a wheelchair, and greets visitors with a smile. He has trouble raising his arm to wave, and suffers from short-term memory loss as he recovers from his brain injury. But now he can recognize his family members, and his appearance is improving since he regained consciousness on May 4, eight days after the April 26 attack that killed 11 people when an SUV drove through a street crowded with festivalgoers. He's getting better and better every day, said Pinky. 'Unlike before, when his face was really swollen,' she said. 'I asked him today, 'Are you in pain? How do you feel about your body?' And he said: 'I'm in pain, but I can manage the pain.'' Nulada's family is bracing for a long road to recovery, as well as the cost of caring for his three children with his wife, Carlyn Nulada. They are familiar with B.C.'s health system, but from a different perspective — both Roland and Carlyn are health-care assistants. Roland, 53, is already worrying about when he can get back to work at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, B.C. Other survivors of the tragedy are facing similar dilemmas, said RJ Aquino, chairman of festival organizer Filipino BC, an advocacy group that is also helping co-ordinate fundraising in the wake of the attack, along with United Way BC. Aquino said the lives of victims' families 'have been changed forever,' and they will likely need lifelong support. 'We want to make sure that those supports are in place so that they can continue to lead fulfilling lives after this event. It's a matter of getting all of the support that we've received, all of the resources that are available, and making sure that things are set up for them as they continue to recover,' said Aquino. Aquino said they want to provide income support to minimize any financial hardships. 'We also want to make sure that this interruption in their life doesn't come at the cost of being unable to pay their bills, being unable to take care for themselves, being unable to take care of their family, and being unable to take care of their own,' said Aquino. 'Those are the things that we want to directly address, too.' Police said Tuesday that eight of the 30 or so people injured in the attack remain in hospital. The suspect, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with police saying more are likely. A judge has ordered a mental health assessment to find out if Lo is fit for trial. Aquino said Filipino BC had been visiting victims in hospital and reaching out to families to identify their specific needs, and the group will soon have Spanish- and Tagalog-speaking case managers to offer support. Filipino BC and United Way BC have raised more than $800,000 for a victims' fund, covering immediate costs such as child care and replacing lost cellphones. Kim Winchell, United Way BC's chief program and impact officer, said the funds are also covering meals, car rentals, hotels, rent subsidies and flights for family members. Winchell said United Way was supporting Filipino BC and increasing operations to respond to the festival tragedy, 'today, tomorrow, and into the months and years to come.' 'We're not just here for the short term. That will be a very long-term effort to breathe and recover as well as they can from this tragedy,' said Winchell. 'THEY NEED A FATHER' The path has been a painful one for the Nulada family since the chaos of April 26. Pinky said that she and her brother's families attended the festival to celebrate their Filipino heritage. The joyful day was transformed in an instant as a black Audi SUV barrelled down East 43rd Avenue. Pinky said she pulled her grandchildren off the street and shielded them from the vehicle. Her daughter suffered minor injuries to her arm. But they were separated from Roland, and it was only late that night in the emergency room of Vancouver General Hospital that his family found out he had been gravely injured in the attack — a doctor gave Carlyn her husband's wedding ring in a pill bottle to confirm his identity. Pinky said she cried a lot as her brother lay unconscious in intensive care. She said she held his hand and whispered: 'I don't want you to just end like that. You need to fight for your children because they are still young. They need a father.' When Roland woke, his first thoughts were for his family. 'He asked what happened, how long he had been there, and then he asked me, Did you sleep?' said Carlyn. 'Then he asked: Where is my son? Where is my daughter?' Pinky said she suspected her brother remembered some of what happened at the festival, but he 'doesn't want to say anything … it's traumatizing.' Pinky said she and Roland are among nine siblings in a family that immigrated from the Philippines 18 years ago. She called her brother a family man who worked long hours, and he now worried he wouldn't be able to return to work soon to support his family. Pinky said she and Carlyn had been reassuring him that 'recovery is very important, and you don't need to worry about us.' The family has received online support, raising more than $156,000 on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe. Pinky said they don't like to ask for help, especially in Canada, where health care is free, but the family has suffered 'a big loss.' 'If my brother cannot go back to work, their life will be different,' said Pinky of her brother's family. Carlyn, a health-care assistant at Lynn Valley Care Centre, said there are no clear answers about how long her husband's rehabilitation will take, or when he can return to their home in Burnaby. She said their mortgage is manageable, but she needs help with her two younger children at home, and she hasn't had a decent night's sleep in more than two weeks. 'I have to cook for them, prepare their food. I have to send the kids to school. Then I have to come to the hospital,' said Caryln, who is back at work. 'Sometimes your mind is really tired, your body is very tired. You cannot say, I'm tired, but what can I do? I still need to do it. That's life,' said Carlyn. Pinky is trying to stay optimistic. She said her family, who lives in North Vancouver, had bonded with Roland's since the attack. Before, they only met up on special occasions, she said. 'But what happened is getting us closer. I need to look after my brother,' said Pinky. 'I believe things will get better.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
15-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Family in B.C. festival tragedy celebrates small victories on long road to recovery
VANCOUVER – Even the smallest victories are being celebrated by Roland Nulada and his family, as he recovers from devastating injuries suffered in the Lapu Lapu festival attack in Vancouver. On Monday, it was Nulada's first meal in 16 days — soup and baked macaroni, 'the very soft ones,' says his older sister, Pinky Nulada, in the Vancouver hospital room where her brother is recovering from brain surgery, as well as operations on a broken arm and leg. He can sit up now, for 30 minutes at a time in a wheelchair, and greets visitors with a smile. He has trouble raising his arm to wave, and suffers from short-term memory loss as he recovers from his brain injury. But now he can recognize his family members, and his appearance is improving since he regained consciousness on May 4, eight days after the April 26 attack that killed 11 people when an SUV drove through a street crowded with festivalgoers. He's getting better and better every day, said Pinky. 'Unlike before, when his face was really swollen,' she said. 'I asked him today, 'Are you in pain? How do you feel about your body?' And he said: 'I'm in pain, but I can manage the pain.'' Nulada's family is bracing for a long road to recovery, as well as the cost of caring for his three children with his wife, Carlyn Nulada. They are familiar with B.C.'s health system, but from a different perspective — both Roland and Carlyn are health-care assistants. Roland, 53, is already worrying about when he can get back to work at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, B.C. Other survivors of the tragedy are facing similar dilemmas, said RJ Aquino, chairman of festival organizer Filipino BC, an advocacy group that is also helping co-ordinate fundraising in the wake of the attack, along with United Way BC. Aquino said the lives of victims' families 'have been changed forever,' and they will likely need lifelong support. 'We want to make sure that those supports are in place so that they can continue to lead fulfilling lives after this event. It's a matter of getting all of the support that we've received, all of the resources that are available, and making sure that things are set up for them as they continue to recover,' said Aquino. Aquino said they want to provide income support to minimize any financial hardships. 'We also want to make sure that this interruption in their life doesn't come at the cost of being unable to pay their bills, being unable to take care for themselves, being unable to take care of their family, and being unable to take care of their own,' said Aquino. 'Those are the things that we want to directly address, too.' Police said Tuesday that eight of the 30 or so people injured in the attack remain in hospital. The suspect, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with police saying more are likely. A judge has ordered a mental health assessment to find out if Lo is fit for trial. Aquino said Filipino BC had been visiting victims in hospital and reaching out to families to identify their specific needs, and the group will soon have Spanish- and Tagalog-speaking case managers to offer support. Filipino BC and United Way BC have raised more than $800,000 for a victims' fund, covering immediate costs such as child care and replacing lost cellphones. Kim Winchell, United Way BC's chief program and impact officer, said the funds are also covering meals, car rentals, hotels, rent subsidies and flights for family members. Winchell said United Way was supporting Filipino BC and increasing operations to respond to the festival tragedy, 'today, tomorrow, and into the months and years to come.' 'We're not just here for the short term. That will be a very long-term effort to breathe and recover as well as they can from this tragedy,' said Winchell. 'THEY NEED A FATHER' The path has been a painful one for the Nulada family since the chaos of April 26. Pinky said that she and her brother's families attended the festival to celebrate their Filipino heritage. The joyful day was transformed in an instant as a black Audi SUV barrelled down East 43rd Avenue. Pinky said she pulled her grandchildren off the street and shielded them from the vehicle. Her daughter suffered minor injuries to her arm. But they were separated from Roland, and it was only late that night in the emergency room of Vancouver General Hospital that his family found out he had been gravely injured in the attack — a doctor gave Carlyn her husband's wedding ring in a pill bottle to confirm his identity. Pinky said she cried a lot as her brother lay unconscious in intensive care. She said she held his hand and whispered: 'I don't want you to just end like that. You need to fight for your children because they are still young. They need a father.' When Roland woke, his first thoughts were for his family. 'He asked what happened, how long he had been there, and then he asked me, Did you sleep?' said Carlyn. 'Then he asked: Where is my son? Where is my daughter?' Pinky said she suspected her brother remembered some of what happened at the festival, but he 'doesn't want to say anything … it's traumatizing.' Pinky said she and Roland are among nine siblings in a family that immigrated from the Philippines 18 years ago. She called her brother a family man who worked long hours, and he now worried he wouldn't be able to return to work soon to support his family. Pinky said she and Carlyn had been reassuring him that 'recovery is very important, and you don't need to worry about us.' The family has received online support, raising more than $156,000 on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe. Pinky said they don't like to ask for help, especially in Canada, where health care is free, but the family has suffered 'a big loss.' 'If my brother cannot go back to work, their life will be different,' said Pinky of her brother's family. Carlyn, a health-care assistant at Lynn Valley Care Centre, said there are no clear answers about how long her husband's rehabilitation will take, or when he can return to their home in Burnaby. She said their mortgage is manageable, but she needs help with her two younger children at home, and she hasn't had a decent night's sleep in more than two weeks. 'I have to cook for them, prepare their food. I have to send the kids to school. Then I have to come to the hospital,' said Caryln, who is back at work. 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. 'Sometimes your mind is really tired, your body is very tired. You cannot say, I'm tired, but what can I do? I still need to do it. That's life,' said Carlyn. Pinky is trying to stay optimistic. She said her family, who lives in North Vancouver, had bonded with Roland's since the attack. Before, they only met up on special occasions, she said. 'But what happened is getting us closer. I need to look after my brother,' said Pinky. 'I believe things will get better.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
Toronto Star
15-05-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
Family in B.C. festival tragedy celebrates small victories on long road to recovery
VANCOUVER - Even the smallest victories are being celebrated by Roland Nulada and his family, as he recovers from devastating injuries suffered in the Lapu Lapu festival attack in Vancouver. On Monday, it was Nulada's first meal in 16 days — soup and baked macaroni, 'the very soft ones,' says his older sister, Pinky Nulada, in the Vancouver hospital room where her brother is recovering from brain surgery, as well as operations on a broken arm and leg.
Boston Globe
29-04-2025
- Boston Globe
What to know about the car ramming attack at a Vancouver street festival
There was no early indication of a motive, but police said it wasn't a terrorist attack. The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has 'a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health,' said Vancouver Interim Police Chief Steve Rai. Lo, a Vancouver resident, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in a video appearance before a judge Sunday. He has not yet entered a plea. The Associated Press could not immediately reach an attorney representing him. Rai said the suspect was arrested after initially being apprehended by bystanders. Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a chain-link fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him. Advertisement 'I'm sorry,' the man said, holding his hand to his head. Investigators were collecting evidence at the scene and had executed a search warrant at a Vancouver property, police said. A 5-year-old girl and a beloved teacher were among the victims Those killed ranged in age from 5 to 65, officials said. The youngest was 5-year-old girl Katie Le, who died along with her father, Richard Le, and mother, Linh Hoang, according to Richard's brother, Toan Le. They were survived by Katie's 16-year-old brother, who didn't attend the festival, he said. Advertisement Kira Salim, also killed, worked as a teacher and counselor at two schools in the New Westminster School District southeast of Vancouver, the district said in a statement. Salim 'was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact,' the district superintendent said. Thirty-two people were hurt, and 17 were still hospitalized late Sunday, including some in critical and serious condition, the British Columbia Health Ministry said. 'Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare,' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday. The festival celebrated Filipino culture The black Audi SUV sped down a closed street Saturday night and struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9% of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census. Witnesses describe leaping out of the way Carayn Nulada said that she pulled her granddaughter and grandson off the street and used her body to shield them from the SUV. She said her daughter made a narrow escape. 'The car hit her arm, and she fell down, but she got up, looking for us, because she is scared,' said Nulada, who described children screaming and victims lying on the ground or wedged under vehicles. Nulada's brother was run down in the attack and suffered multiple broken bones. Advertisement Another witness described bodies flying through the air 'like bowling pins.' Vincent Reynon, 17, was leaving the festival when he saw police rushing in. People were crying, and he saw scattered bodies. 'It was like something straight out of a horror movie or a nightmare,' he said.
STV News
28-04-2025
- STV News
Suspect in Vancouver car ramming charged with eight counts of murder
A man has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder over Saturday's Vancouver car ramming that killed 11 people at a Filipino heritage festival. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, a Vancouver resident, was arrested at the scene on Saturday and remains in custody, the British Columbia Prosecution Service (BCPS) said. Lo is charged with driving a black Audi SUV into a crowd of people attending Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival. The collision killed 11 people, between the ages of five and 65, and left dozens injured. Police have yet to release the names of the victims. BCPS said more charges against Lo were possible. Attendees pay their respects during a vigil at Kensington Park. / Credit: AP Speaking to reporters, Police Interim Chief Steve Rai described the attack as the 'darkest day in Vancouver's history.' He went on to add: 'The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.' Police said they are 'confident' that the incident was 'not an act of terrorism nor any ongoing threats to the community'. Members of the Vancouver Police forensics team examine a victim's phone while investigating the scene of the attack. / Credit: AP Carayn Nulada said she pulled her granddaughter and grandson off the road, using her body to shield them from the SUV. She added that her daughter had a narrow escape. 'The car hit her arm and she fell down, but she got up, looking for us because she is scared,' Nulada said, describing children screaming and victims lying on the ground or trapped under vehicles, their faces pale. 'I saw people running and my daughter was shaking.' People continue to leave tributes for the victims of Saturday's attack. / Credit: AP Ms Nulada was at Vancouver General Hospital's emergency room on early Sunday morning, searching for news about her brother, who was hit in the attack and suffered multiple broken bones. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is seeking re-election on Monday, said on X he was 'devastated' to hear about the attack. 'I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,' he wrote. 'I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you. 'We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.' I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025 King Charles has said he and Queen Camilla are 'profoundly saddened' to hear of the attack in Vancouver, writing in a statement on X: 'Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonising time for so many in Canada.' The Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Filipino culture, was taking place in a south Vancouver neighbourhood. The organisers of the festival, a community group called Filipino BC, wrote in a statement on Instagram: 'We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims.' Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9% of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census. Lapu Lapu Day celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. The organisers of the Vancouver event, which was in its second year, said that he 'represents the soul of native resistance, a powerful force that helped shape the Filipino identity in the face of colonisation.' British Columbia Premier David Eby said the province won't let the tragedy define the celebration. He urged people to channel their rage into helping those affected. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
