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

Man dies after car jumps curb, crashes into seven vehicles in Surrey, B.C.

A man has died in a crash involving eight vehicles in Surrey, B.C., after he suffered what investigators believe to be a medical emergency while driving.

Man dies after car jumps curb, crashes into seven vehicles in Surrey, B.C.

Fraser Health says visitor from Ontario is the latest case of measles in B.C.

Health authorities in British Columbia have confirmed another new case of measles infection in the province, this time with a visitor from Ontario.

Fraser Health says visitor from Ontario is the latest case of measles in B.C.

'It feels personal': Canadian farmers cope with Chinese tariffs on canola and peas

Canola runs deep on Margaret Rigetti’s farm in southern Saskatchewan.

'It feels personal': Canadian farmers cope with Chinese tariffs on canola and peas

‘A weapon’: Vancouver ramming is latest attack to turn vehicles into deadly tools

A car ramming Saturday at a Filipino community festival in Vancouver that killed 11 people marks at least the fourth attack in seven years in which vehicles have been deployed as deadly weapons against groups of people in Canada.

‘A weapon’: Vancouver ramming is latest attack to turn vehicles into deadly tools

Canada's Indigenous leaders on losing Pope Francis: ‘An ally and a friend’

Canadian Indigenous leaders bid farewell to “an ally and afriend” at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, lauding the pontiff for advancing reconciliation efforts with a historic apology for injustices that remain raw for many.