National

Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2025 01:45 PM

British Columbia is marking the start of this year's Filipino Heritage Month with a sombre tribute to the victims of April's deadly attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival.

Premier David Eby issued a statement saying this year's celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in June is happening "alongside deep sorrow, under the backdrop of the tragic attack" that killed 11 people and shook the community to its core.

Eby says the province continues to grieve, but the support shown by different communities "coming together to heal" demonstrates how "strength in unity" has enriched B.C.'s cultural fabric.

In a separate statement, New Democrat legislative member Mable Elmore — who is of Filipino descent — says her community is marking the heritage month to "honour the memories of those lost after the Lapu Lapu Day Festival."

Elmore says while the community remains in mourning, she is confident that people are healing and will emerge stronger from the tragedy.

The suspect in the attack, Adam Kai-Ji Lo, appeared in court on Friday via video as part of the process to determine if he is fit to stand trial. He is tentatively set to appear in court next on June 6.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Bruce Fanjoy, retired businessman, says he defeated Poilievre by listening to voters

Bruce Fanjoy says he achieved something unexpected in Monday's election — the defeat of a high-profile Conservative leader in his own riding — simply by showing up on doorsteps and paying attention to what voters in Carleton were telling him.

Bruce Fanjoy, retired businessman, says he defeated Poilievre by listening to voters

Advocate fears mental health stigma after Vancouver festival tragedy

A British Columbia advocate says people with mental illness and those who work with them are afraid of the consequences that could come in reaction to the festivaltragedy that killed 11 people in Vancouver on Saturday.

Advocate fears mental health stigma after Vancouver festival tragedy

Vancouver artist who was mother of two identified among Vancouver festival victims

Family members and friends of those killed in a vehicle attack at a Vancouver festival are coming forward to tell the stories of their loved ones. A 30-year-old man faces a series ofsecond-degree murder charges over the attack that killed 11 people at the Lapu Lapu Day festival.

Vancouver artist who was mother of two identified among Vancouver festival victims

Indigenous chiefs call for Alberta Premier Smith to stop stoking separatism talk

Two First Nations chiefs are accusing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of "attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis" and are calling on her to stop stoking the fires of separatism.

Indigenous chiefs call for Alberta Premier Smith to stop stoking separatism talk

Ontario, Prairies blocked Liberals from an election-night majority blowout

The Liberals rose from the ashes under Prime Minister Mark Carney in a stunning reversal of fortunes this year, but the party's failure to sweep many of the ridings it sought Monday night denied it a resounding majority mandate.

Ontario, Prairies blocked Liberals from an election-night majority blowout

'Just destroyed': Three members of family from Colombia died in B.C. attack, says son

Alejandro Samper was getting ready for work on Saturday night when he received a call from his sister's fiancé about a "terrible accident," and he rushed to the scene of the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver.