What to know
- A fundraiser is being held in North York at The Re-Up Hub barbershop to support AJ, a survivor of the 2025 Vancouver Filipino Lapu-Lapu festival attack, which killed 11 and injured 31.
- AJ suffered life-altering injuries (including a traumatic brain injury and stroke) and is now wheelchair-bound, undergoing ongoing therapies and unable to work.
- Organized by his childhood friend, the event on April 25 and GoFundMe aim to help cover major medical costs as AJ continues a long and difficult recovery.
Nearly a year after tragedy struck Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu festival, The Re-Up Hub is rallying to support one survivor’s fight to heal — launching a GoFundMe for AJ.
On April 26, 2025, Lapu-Lapu festival, meant to celebrate Vancouver’s vibrant Filipino community, turned into a tragedy after a black SUV drove into the festival, killing 11 festivalgoers and injuring at least 31 others.
AJ, one of the victims injured in the tragedy, was left with crushed legs, broken ribs and wrists and a severe traumatic brain injury upon impact. While hospitalized, he suffered a massive stroke that required emergency brain surgery, where part of his skull was removed to allow his brain to swell and save his life.
Since then, AJ is now a semi-permanent wheelchair user and is unable to speak, facing daily challenges as his recovery continues.
Raymond Diego, co-owner of a North York barbershop and tattoo studio The Re-Up Hub, is hosting a fundraising event on Saturday to support AJ’s medical expenses and has organized a GoFundMe.
“He’s my best friend. I grew up with him. He means a lot to me. That’s pretty much my brother,” Diego told Now Toronto.
It currently stands at $17,657 at the time of publication, with the goal of reaching $50,000.
The GoFundMe reads in part, “He attends physiotherapy every day, relearning how to stand and working toward standing independently. He also receives regular acupuncture and speech therapy. The next crucial step in his healing is hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve brain function following his TBI, and we hope to take him to one of the leading clinics in the United States.”
“It’s been almost a year since the event happened, so I thought the fundraiser would be a meaningful way to honour all the victims and keep their stories in focus. AJ is still recovering, and all proceeds will go to the GoFundMe,” Diego explained.
AJ’s part of the Filipino and barber community and was once a barber himself. Due to his injuries, he physically cannot work right now.
Diego recalled how close and thoughtful his relationship with his friend is, saying AJ would always visit and make sure everyone was doing well.
The 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. event features a talent show with a spoken-word poet, a rap performance, band performances, and other artistic performances. It also includes Filipino food. Entry costs $30 and all proceeds go towards AJ’s recovery.
Right now, the bone flap on AJ’s skull has been put back, and his legs are fully rebuilt, but his recovery is far from over.
AJ’s mom and aunt have become his full-time caregivers since the incident.
If you can’t attend tomorrow’s event, donate. “We will be handling all the donations, and we’re gonna be giving it directly to the family over in Vancouver,” Diego said.
