Community Update | May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025 – Provincial Day of Remembrance and Mourning for victims of tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival
May 2 marks a day of mourning for those who lost their lives in the tragedy that occurred on April 26, 2025. However, we’ve been grieving all week, and this grief may stay with us for months and years to come. This tragedy has left a lasting mark on Filipinos and the Vancouver community (and beyond) forever.
The Vancouver Police Department has confirmed 11 people have lost their lives. Their ages range from five to 65. As more information becomes available, we expect that number will rise. Our team continues to visit people who are still in hospital.
The temporary Resilience Centre at Killarney Secondary School welcomed around 50 people, most of whom needed critical mental health care and support. Councillors, social workers and other support staff from the Provincial Psychosocial Services, Canadian Red Cross, Archdiocese of Vancouver and Salvation Army provided care, alongside six St. John’s Ambulance therapy dogs. Tacosaurus, Aling Mary’s, Livia Sweets and Ba Le Deli & Bakery generously donated comforting meals, and the Memorial Mass held by the Archdiocese and Filipino BC at Holy Rosary Cathedral was livestreamed for those in attendance.
The Resilience Centre will be open Saturday, May 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Organizers will determine whether to continue after Tuesday depending on community need. The VPD Community Support Centre at E 43rd Ave & Fraser is also open from noon to 8 p.m., but is expected to close this weekend. We’re currently working on securing a space closer to Sunset on Fraser and the immediate South Vancouver area to reach more community members.
We encourage families, parents, grandparents, caretakers, and children—individuals, vendors, volunteers, staff of nearby businesses and anyone affected, to come as they are. The Resilience Centre is here for you.
The Archdiocese of Vancouver is holding Memorial Masses throughout the Lower Mainland and a second collection will be held at all Catholic parishes across Greater Vancouver on May 3 and 4, to support people who have been impacted by the tragedy. The public can also donate online at: https://rcav.org/lapu-lapu
ICBC has released information about available supports. Everyone injured in a vehicle incident is automatically covered for 12 weeks after the crash. Pre-approved treatments include counselling, psychology and physiotherapy, and injured customers may be eligible for additional benefits. Find out more at: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/2025-04-27-lapu-lapu-tragedy
As of Friday morning, the Filipino BC and United Way BC KAPWA STRONG Fund has raised almost $280,000. We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for the community, and we can’t thank the public enough. In the coming days, we will share more information on the grant process and how to apply.
Healing is not linear, and we’re grateful to know we won’t have to do it alone, and neither do you.
