The Canadian flag were lowered at half-mast at all City buildings to honour the victims of the horrific incident at the Lapu Lapu Day festival.
(Photo credit – City of Vancouver)
Community Honors 11 Victims, Commits to Resilience After Deadly Lapu-Lapu Day Tragedy
VANCOUVER, B.C. — On Friday, May 2, 2025, British Columbia observed an official Day of Remembrance and Mourning, declared by Premier David Eby, following the devastating vehicular attack at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day Festival that left 11 dead and more than 30 injured.
“This tragedy has had a profound impact on the Filipino community in B.C. and many others in Vancouver and throughout the province,” Premier Eby said. “The Day of Remembrance and Mourning is an opportunity for people in British Columbia to come together, grieve the loss of innocent lives, and recognize the contributions the victims made to their communities and the province.”
Flags were lowered to half-mast at city buildings. Condolence books were made available for public signing at Vancouver City Hall, the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, and online. A memorial Mass was held at Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver, with prayer services offered in parishes across the Lower Mainland.
The Attack
On April 26, 2025, as families gathered for the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration at Trout Lake Park, a vehicle driven by Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, plowed into the crowd. He was arrested at the scene and now faces eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges pending. Authorities have ruled out terrorism or hate-crime motives, focusing instead on Lo’s history of mental illness.
The attack has prompted Premier Eby to initiate a review of British Columbia’s Mental Health Act, and he has pledged to pursue a public inquiry should legal proceedings fall short in providing answers.
Victims Remembered
The 11 victims were diverse in background and life story, united by their presence at a celebration of Filipino pride and multicultural inclusion:
Jenifer Darbellay, 50 – A costume designer and wife of Hallmark actor Noel Johansen, she died while attending the event with her family.
Richard Le, 47; Linh Hoang, 30; and their daughter Katie Le, 5 – A Vietnamese Canadian family remembered for their kindness and dedication to community. Their surviving son, Andy, 16, donated over $266,000 raised on GoFundMe to assist other victims.
Clara “Kira” Ganapol Salim, 34 – A Brazilian-born school counselor and LGBTQ+ advocate.
Glitza Daniela Samper and her parents – A Colombian immigrant family residing in Metro Vancouver.
A Filipino mother and her son, recently immigrated – Their names remain undisclosed at the request of the family.
As of May 2, 13 individuals remained hospitalized, including children and seniors.
Continuing the Spirit of Lapu-Lapu Day
Despite the horror of the tragedy, organizers have confirmed that the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival will continue in future years, serving not only as a cultural celebration but as a tribute to the lives lost.
“We are heartbroken, but not broken,” one organizer told The Guardian. “Lapu-Lapu Day will remain a symbol of pride, community, and resilience.”
The annual event, named after the Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization, has become a cornerstone of Filipino cultural expression in Canada. In light of the tragedy, its meaning has deepened—transformed into a collective act of remembrance and defiance against fear.
A Province United in Grief and Solidarity
Faith communities, civic leaders, and everyday citizens have rallied around Vancouver’s Filipino community, offering condolences, holding vigils, and donating to support the victims’ families. Mental health experts have urged compassion and reform without stigma.
The Day of Mourning, marked with silence, prayers, and shared sorrow, became more than a remembrance—it became a reaffirmation of what binds communities together: compassion, justice, and a shared promise that such violence will not define who we are.
