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Tragedy Strikes Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Festival
Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu festival, originally intended to celebrate Filipino culture and pride, turned into a scene of devastation on Saturday when a driver plowed an SUV into a crowd, resulting in the tragic loss of eleven lives, including a five-year-old, and leaving many injured.
R.J. Aquino, chairman of Filipino B.C., the organization responsible for the event, expressed the overwhelming emotions felt by the community. “A lot of us are still numb, angry, confused, sad, and devastated. Some of us don’t know how to feel,” he shared during a vigil on Sunday evening, attended by hundreds from the Lower Mainland.
The aftermath of the incident left attendees grappling with profound shock and grief. Attendees like Roger Peralta and Bjorn Villarreal, who immigrated to Canada in 2016, recalled a festive day that turned chaotic. “Suddenly I hear this unimaginable noise,” Bjorn reflected. “It was a loud bang,” Roger added, both having witnessed the horrific scene unfold just meters away.
Bjorn, in a moment of instinct, attempted to follow the vehicle, believing he could intervene. “It was horrendous. A lot of people were just lying on the street, crying and begging for help,” he recalled, describing the overwhelming distress that permeated the area.
As the hours passed, Roger found himself grappling with the shocking images replaying in his mind, struggling with sleeplessness and sorrow. Yet, he clung to a sense of Filipino resilience. “We have in our culture Bayanihan,” he explained, emphasizing the spirit of community and cooperation that defines Filipinos. “When you meet another Filipino, even if you don’t know them, you greet them as if they’re family.”
British Columbia’s Premier, David Eby, acknowledged the profound impact the Filipino community has in the province. “I don’t think there’s a British Columbian who hasn’t been touched in some way by the Filipino community,” he remarked, recognizing their contributions across various sectors, including healthcare and education.
Bjorn, who works as a magnetic resonance imaging technologist, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are very caring people.” However, both men expressed their frustration over the circumstances that allowed such a tragedy to occur, feeling let down by the system. Premier Eby empathized with their anger, stating, “But I want to turn the rage that I feel into ensuring that we stand with the Filipino community,” asserting that the incident should not overshadow the spirit of the festival nor the community it represents.
The tragic events at the Lapu Lapu festival have sparked conversations about safety and community resilience, as those affected seek support and healing amidst their grief.
Source
www.bbc.com