The Filipino community in the Greater Toronto Area is mourning and honouring the victims of the Lapu Lapu Festival attack in Vancouver, while a vigil is set for Tuesday evening in Toronto.
On Saturday night, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo drove an SUV through a large crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near Fraser St. on East 43rd Ave. in Vancouver, killing 11 people and injuring 20, according to Vancouver police.
Interim Chief Steve Rai revealed on Sunday that 11 people were confirmed dead as a result of the attack, and more deaths could be revealed in the upcoming days, as multiple others are hospitalized with serious injuries.
Police also revealed that victims ranged from ages five to 65 and some remain unidentified.
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Lo was arrested at the scene and later charged with eight counts of second degree murder, and could face more as further charges are considered.
The police has ruled out terrorism as a reason for the attack, saying that the Vancouver-based man had previously had encounters with local police and hospitals related to mental health.
COMMUNITY STANDS TOGETHER
The Filipino-Canadian community has been coming together in support of those who lost their lives and loved ones to the incident, not only in Vancouver but across the country.
Mississauga—Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez told Now Toronto that she was shocked to hear about the incident. As the first Filipino Canadian woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament and appointed to Cabinet, she feels that the attack deeply impacts the entire community, bringing them together in support.
“I found out about it almost [in] real time, right after the incident happened. And it’s really heartbreaking to see such a tragic event happen at [the] Lapu Lapu Festival,” she said.
“The Filipino Canadian community [is] very, very resilient, and this is a time where we will come together and be there to continue to help one another get through this, and the only way to get through it is one day at a time,” she added.
According to the MP, this festival is usually a very positive tradition in Filipino culture, uniting the community to celebrate their culture and have fun.
“The Lapu Lapu festival is a very positive, unifying event that those in Vancouver look forward to celebrating. And I mean, for those who are attendees, who are going to the festival, they just wanted to gather and have fun. And right before the incident happened, there were performances on stage, so people were really… [It was] probably the highest point of the festival,” she said.
Valdez says that her government is currently trying to support the community as best as it can, as many are still devastated with the tragic news.
“Of course, it’s completely tragic for that moment to be taken away and stolen by somebody. And after speaking with many B.C. community leaders that [were] there, they are in disbelief, and they’re just grieving right now,” she said.
The Parliament member says she has observed the community really come together to get through the incident, organizing vigils and events, and reaching out to others for support.
“Here in Canada, we’re a multicultural country, [and] I’ve had messages from literally everyone from many different regions, backgrounds, everyone. So many different community groups standing in solidarity, I got many different messages. And I think it’s just amazing,” she said.
Kababayan Multicultural Centre Executive Director Rizza Solis explained that incidents like these shed a light on the vulnerability of racialized communities, even in a multicultural country like Canada.
“Spaces like that, where it’s meant for celebration, for culture, for connection, are not immune to violence. And many of us are still processing the shock and pain of what had happened. So, it really shows how vulnerable these spaces and these communities can be, especially for racialized and immigrant communities,” she said.
Solis also said that in light of the heartbreaking incident, she has seen support grow across Toronto solidarity to the victims and families affected.
“In the days that followed, we saw Filipinos and allies just really coming together in grief, but in solidarity as well. We have prayer vigils happening across Toronto, people [and] organizations are sharing resources and support that they can get, especially for mental health support and crisis lines for the victims. It really just reignited conversations about safety, about visibility and just the need to protect and support each other during this difficult time,” she said.
TORONTO VIGIL FOR VICTIMS
Myka Jaymalin, a representative and chairperson for the Filipino youth and students organization ANAKBAYAN-CANADA, has organized the Luksang Bayan vigil for the victims of the Lapu Lapu tragedy, so that the community can come together at this difficult time.
“This was supposed to be a joyous event for our community, knowing the background of the event too, it is to celebrate our rich history and culture,” she said.
“Waking up to the news actually broke my heart. And I started panicking, looking on Instagram… I was panicking [about] what happened. Although the people, the friends and families that I know, were safe, it still shocked me knowing [that] the incident occurred and how many of the people who have attended, seniors and even kids, were affected by this.”
Jaymalin first hosted a vigil in Toronto on Sunday evening, at Bathurst and Wilson Ave, and now she’s organizing a second one for Tuesday evening. The vigil will take place at the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square at 7 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to wear black and bring flowers and candles.
“There’s a need for our community to collectively grieve and to collectively mourn what happened,” she said. “We want, as Filipinos, as a community, to properly honour those who have passed, and also to continue providing resources on what supports can people [access], whether these are moral supports or providing resources to those folks who have been affected.”
The organizer said that even though the attack is heartbreaking to her and other Filipino Canadians, it also shows the ability of the community to really come together in times of need.
“I know the tragedy that happened has been heartbreaking, but also, at the end of the day, you can quickly see how our culture is deeply ingrained with supporting one another. So, at the same time, I’m grateful,” she added.
