Latest news with #RJAquino
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
CBC
26-05-2025
- CBC
Organizers of Lapu-Lapu Day festival reflect on one-month anniversary of tragedy
Monday marks one month since the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in South Vancouver. Eleven people were killed after an SUV was driven into a festival crowd on April 26. The Lapu-Lapu Day event was organized by Filipino B.C. In the past month, the group has been liaising directly with victims' families and organizing supports in the community. To reflect on this, we're joined by Filipino B.C. chair RJ Aquino.
Global News
08-05-2025
- Global News
Growing calls for permanent memorial, Filipino cultural centre after Lapu Lapu tragedy
There are growing calls for a permanent memorial to the victims of the horrific vehicle attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival. And in the wake of the tragedy, members of Vancouver's Filipino Community say it has shown the need for their own cultural centre. RJ Aquino, chair of Filipino BC, says the number and size of makeshift memorials that have sprung up for the 11 people killed and dozens more injured have become important hubs for people to meet, grieve, and process their emotions. 2:23 Counsellors helping those grieving after the Lapu Lapu festival attack Building a permanent memorial in the Fraser Street area, he said, will give community members a place for those feelings in the future. Story continues below advertisement 'It's part of the healing process for people to go there, reflect, be with others, and sometimes share what is on their mind with complete strangers,' he said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I envision it to be a place where people are able to gather and pause and reflect and be with their thoughts.' In the aftermath of the tragedy, victims, families and members of the Filipino community centre have been invited to 'resilience centres,' temporary facilities Aquino said offered a gateway to help and services, but also just to be present with one another. It's the kind of service he said a permanent Filipino cultural centre could have provided, and something his group has been advocating for. 1:46 Community marks 1 week since Lapu Lapu festival tragedy 'Last night at one point, there were over 100 people in the resilience centre and bringing their families and finding ways to also talk to their young children about what had happened,' he said. Story continues below advertisement It's a project the province says it is on board with. 'The Filipino community does need a place to gather. Our government's committed to a cultural centre for the Filipino people where they can gather and celebrate together,' said Premier David Eby. The province has already funded $250,000 to another group, the Mabuhay House Society, to build a Filipino cultural centre. Board director Sammie Jo Rumbaua told Global News she doesn't see a conflict between the two proposals. 3:32 Memorial masses held one week after Lapu Lapu tragedy 'I am confident with the provincial-led cultural centre that is being built, that it's a win for everybody,' she said. 'The main objective of the community is a space for our community.' Story continues below advertisement The society has yet to determine a location for its planned future centre, nor is there currently a timeline. The community, meanwhile, is planning a flag-raising event at the Filipino Plaza underneath the Nanaimo SkyTrain station on May 31. It will be the first major community event since the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. 'It is going to be a sombre time, but at the same time, Filipinos do like to bring joy to each other,' Rumbaua said.
The Province
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
'People keep coming': Plans underway for permanent memorial for Lapu Lapu Day victims
'It's clear that people are still needing to visit, reflect and grieve ..." said Filipino B.C. chair RJ Aquino Plans are underway for a permanent memorial to honour the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day festival attack. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Plans are underway for a permanent memorial to commemorate the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day festival attack. 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 RJ Aquino, chair of festival organizer Filipino B.C., said he is meeting with the city to start discussions on a permanent memorial. 'It's clear that people are still needing to visit, reflect and grieve and the fact we are over a week out and people are still, at all hours of the day, gathering to pay their respects calls to the significance of the event and the need for a permanent fixture there.' He said the planning is still in the preliminary stage, and does not know what shape or form a memorial would look like or where it would be located, but said it needs to be 'mindful and respectful.' On April 26, an SUV drove into a crowd at the Filipino festival, killing 11 and injuring dozens. He said he is not aware of any plans to remove the growing, makeshift memorial on East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. 'The flowers will wilt and candles will melt, and people keep coming and adding to it,' said Aquino, adding the city understands people's need to grieve and gather. 'I don't see it going away any time soon.' 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. Preeti Faridikot, a Vancouver school board trustee, said she plans to bring a motion in late June for a permanent memorial near John Oliver Secondary, but not on school grounds. 'It could be a space of healing for some people, I think we really need it,' said Faridikot. 'The design and vision should be done with the community, the city, the province and the Filipino people who are affected.' She said she wants to proceed with 'care, dignity, and cultural sensitivity.' 'We have to be very respectful and careful,' she said. 'It's going to be in collaboration with the Filipino community, the affected families, the city, the province, and the school board, everybody together.' Mayor Ken Sim said the city will wait for the community to take the lead to ensure any memorial is done in a respectful way. 'I know I can speak for the council on this one, we have incredibly caring people here that feel absolutely devastated, as all Vancouverites, British Columbians, and Canadians do, and anything we can do to respectfully support the community, we will in a heartbeat,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a statement, the City of Vancouver encouraged people gathering at the makeshift memorial to place flowers, candles, and stuffed toys to be safe, keep sidewalks clear, and avoid gathering on major roads. It also asked mourners to use flameless candles to prevent fire hazards. The last week and a half since the horrific vehicle attack has been 'emotional,' said Aquino. He had left the street party with his wife and three kids to have dinner at home and got a panicked call from an organizer. He had expected a wrap-up phone call, said Aquino. Instead, he heard the words 'mass casualty event,' and raced back to the scene. The focus of Filipino B.C. has been on taking care of the victims, their families, volunteers and attendees and tending to their immediate needs, such as providing bridge funding for child care or transportation costs or replacing lost or damaged cellphones. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Filipino B.C. has set up a resiliency centre at Killarney Secondary School, which is open May 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. Due to demand, Aquino said they are planning to move the centre closer to the scene of the tragedy and are working on finding a location. 'We continue to mourn, we continue to grieve. I don't know if it's going to subside from how high the emotions have been,' he said. 'But we're trying to put in place all the things that give people a path to heal and grow stronger from this.' chchan@ With a file from The Canadian Press Read More Crime Lacrosse Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News
Vancouver Sun
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
'People keep coming': Plans underway for permanent memorial for Lapu Lapu Day victims
Plans are underway for a permanent memorial to commemorate the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day festival attack. RJ Aquino, chair of festival organizer Filipino B.C., said he is meeting with the city Wednesday to start discussions on a permanent memorial. 'It's clear that people are still needing to visit, reflect and grieve and the fact we are over a week out and people are still, at all hours of the day, gathering to pay their respects calls to the significance of the event and the need for a permanent fixture there.' He said the planning is still in the preliminary stage, and does not know what shape or form a memorial would look like or where it would be located, but said it needs to be 'mindful and respectful' to what occurred on April 26 when an SUV drove into a crowd at the Filipino festival, killing 11 and injuring dozens. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He said he is not aware of any plans to remove the growing, makeshift memorial on East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. 'The flowers will wilt and candles will melt, and people keep coming and adding to it,' said Aquino, adding the city understands people's need to grieve and gather. 'I don't see it going away any time soon.' Preeti Faridikot, a Vancouver school board trustee, said she plans to bring a motion in late June for a permanent memorial near John Oliver Secondary, but not on school grounds. 'It could be a space of healing for some people, I think we really need it,' said Faridikot. 'The design and vision should be done with the community, the city, the province and the Filipino people who are affected.' Mayor Ken Sim said the city will wait for the community to take the lead to ensure any memorial is done 'in a very respectful way.' 'I know I can speak for the council on this one, we have incredibly caring people here that feel absolutely devastated, as all Vancouverites, British Columbians, and Canadians do, and anything we can do to respectfully support the community, we will in a heartbeat,' he said. In a statement, the City of Vancouver said it is aware of the interest in a permanent memorial and 'will engage with respect to such a memorial in the future.' It encouraged people gathering at the makeshift memorial to place flowers, candles, and stuffies to be safe, keep sidewalks clear, and avoid gathering on major roads. It also asked mourners to use flameless candles to prevent any fire hazards. The last week and a half since the horrific vehicle attack has been 'emotional,' said Aquino. He had left the street party with his wife and three kids to have dinner at home and got a panicked call from an organizer. He had expected a wrap-up phone call, said Aquino. Instead, he heard the words 'mass casualty event,' and raced back to the scene. The focus of Filipino B.C. has been on taking care of the victims, their families, volunteers and attendees and tending to their immediate needs, such as providing bridge funding for child care or transportation costs or replacing lost or damaged cellphones. Filipino B.C. has set up a resiliency centre at Killarney Secondary School, which is open May 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. Due to demand, Aquino said they are planning to move the centre closer to the scene of the tragedy and are working on finding a location. 'We continue to mourn, we continue to grieve. I don't know if it's going to subside from how high the emotions have been,' he said. 'But we're trying to put in place all the things that give people a path to heal and grow stronger from this.' chchan@
