Vancouver’s Filipinos Unite in Grief after Tragic Festival Attack

A tragic car ramming during Vancouver's Lapu Lapu festival has left eleven dead and many more injured, sparking sorrow and outrage among attendees and the Filipino community.

Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu festival, designed to celebrate Filipino culture and pride, turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak on Saturday night when an SUV careened into a crowd, resulting in the tragic deaths of eleven individuals, including a five-year-old child. The chilling incident has left many community members grappling with intense emotions, from anger to confusion, as expressed by R. J. Aquino, chairman of Filipino B.C. "A lot of us are still numb… devastated," he said during a vigil attended by hundreds on Sunday night.

Eyewitnesses Roger Peralta and Bjorn Villarreal, who experienced the event first-hand, recounted the horror of seeing bodies hit by the SUV just meters from where they stood. “I actually followed the vehicle because I felt like I could stop him,” Bjorn recalled, describing the scene as "horrendous," where carnage surrounded them. The emotional toll of the event has not only affected those directly impacted but resonates strongly throughout the Filipino community.

In the wake of this tragedy, the spirit of unity, or "Bayanihan," prevalent in Filipino culture emerges as a source of strength amidst despair. Roger highlighted this resilience, noting that Filipinos instinctively come together as family in times of crisis.

British Columbia’s Premier David Eby paid homage to the Filipino community, acknowledging its critical contributions to the province, stating, "There’s not a British Columbian who hasn’t been touched in some way by the Filipino community." He expressed understanding of the anger directed towards the event but emphasized the importance of solidarity moving forward.

As candlelight vigils continue and the community mourns, both Roger and Bjorn emphasize their commitment to express their outrage constructively, assuring that such acts will not define their identity or the essence of their festival.