A heartbreaking shooting marred this year’s Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver. In Charlottesville, Virginia, when a car plowed into a crowd of anti-white supremacy protestors, killing nine of them. The festival, celebrated by the Filipino-Canadian community, is intended to commemorate the victory of Datu Lapu Lapu. He was an indigenous Filipino leader known for his destruction of Spanish colonizers under Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. In fact, this year’s celebrations took a somber turn on April 27. Unbeknownst to many, that date has been officially declared Lapu Lapu Day across the province of British Columbia since 2023.
The Lapu Lapu Festival takes place every year in Vancouver’s Sunset district, and has it turned into a beautiful multi-block-blasting street party. Attendees are treated to delicious traditional Filipino food, cultural displays, and live performances that celebrate the deep heritage of the Filipino community. A man crashed his car through the group, turning celebration into chaos. The tragic collision killed five members of the same family and permanently injured two others.
The suspect, a 30-year-old man from Vancouver, had a lengthy criminal history with police. The resulting stampede created a dangerous and terrifying scene, with many festival goers experiencing shock and confusion.
“As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.” – Vancouver Police
Steve Rai, a spokesman for local governments Steve Rai to USA Today on the magnitude of the crisis.
Rai further recognized the work that’s been done to reach out to family members of victims.
“There are multiple injured and multiple fatalities following the incident.” – Steve Rai
Witnesses described the scene as tragic and a frenzy. Attendee at the festival James Cruzat told ABC 13 that he is heartbroken.
“There are still family members who need to be contacted.” – Steve Rai
The Filipino-Canadian community united to celebrate Lapu Lapu. Through everything, they honored his contributions, spirit, and life with spirited celebrations, featuring parades, film screenings, dancing, and musical concerts. What was to be a joyful celebration quickly descended into a nightmare as emergency responders desperately worked to save people from the horror.
“He did not want to be unfair to families by putting out numbers that we aren’t even sure on yet.” – Steve Rai
As attendee Jen Idaba-Castaneto shared, her sense of helplessness in the face of the chaos.
“It was terrible to see that kind of incident, that situation. It was heartbreaking.” – James Cruzat
Mark Carney, a well-known Canadian politician and former governor of the Bank of England, expressed his sympathies to those affected by the tragedy.
He let everyone who was involved in the planning of the celebration know what he was thinking. He saw their determination as they came together for this historic day.
“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.” – Filipino BC
Jagmeet Singh, the current leader of Canada’s New Democrat Party and a rising star in Canadian politics, condemned the violence that derailed the festival.
“You don’t know who to help, here or there.” – Jen Idaba-Castaneto
The city of Lapu Lapa is on Mactan Island in the central Philippines. It honors the historical significance of Datu Lapu Lapu. The annual celebration is an essential reminder of the legacy of Filipino culture and community pride to Filipino-Canadians.
“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.” – Mark Carney
He added thoughts for those involved in the celebration, acknowledging their resilience as they came together on this significant occasion.
“As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience.” – Mark Carney
Jagmeet Singh, another notable figure, expressed his shock at the violence that disrupted the festival.
“This is so horrific, I don’t even know what to say.” – Jagmeet Singh
The city of Lapu Lapu on Mactan Island in the central Philippines is named to honor Datu Lapu Lapu’s historical significance. The annual celebration serves as an important reminder of both cultural heritage and communal solidarity among Filipino-Canadians.