Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness Planned at Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre on April 19, 2026

MARCH 11, 2026

With respect and compassion, the Lapu Lapu Day team acknowledges the profound impact of the tragic events last year on April 26, 2025. Our thoughts remain with the victims, their families and loved ones, as well as the witnesses, first responders, and all those in the community who were affected. We recognize that the impact of that day continues to be felt deeply, and that healing looks different for everyone.

Carrying forward the heart of Lapu Lapu Day of fostering community and honouring Filipino heritage, Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness will differ from previous years, focusing on reflection and communal healing. We invite the community to gather in the spirit of bayanihan, a Filipino value of collective care and helping one another. Community members are encouraged to participate in ways that feel meaningful to them and supportive of their individual healing needs in a safe and supportive space.

The Lapu Lapu Day festival first began in 2024 as a celebration of the vibrant Filipino community, creating space for people of all generations to gather and share culture with the wider city. Recognizing that healing looks different for everyone, this year’s event will take on a more reflective and community focused format while maintaining the heart of the gathering.

This free one day event, made possible by the generous support of sponsors and community partners, will bring community members together to share meals, stories, and space. The morning will focus on reflection, remembrance, and community engagement, with the afternoon shifting toward connection, arts, and cultural expression. Community members of all ages are invited to participate in programming that reflect community needs, including wellness resources, cultural performances, and interactive and movement activities. The gathering will also provide access to supports and resources through community organizations that continue to walk alongside families and community members.

The team is focused on prioritizing safety, with event production and safety planning led by EventLAB, organizers who have worked closely with the City of Vancouver to support safety and security planning for festivals and public gatherings across the city. Genesis Security, British Columbia’s premier security company, has graciously donated their services and are creating a comprehensive and detailed safety and security plan with controlled access, defined entry points, trained security personnel, coordination with emergency services, and on-site supports available to attendees throughout the event.

“For many of us, this day now carries both grief and love,” said Céline Loriot, Filipino BC Board Member. “This is not about moving on from what happened, but about moving forward together, with survivors, families, and the broader community, to reclaim space for healing, cultural pride, and collective care. We want people to know that however they choose to engage, or even if they choose not to, that choice is respected.”

Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre has graciously opened and donated the use of their indoor and outdoor space for this community gathering. The venue allows for enhanced safety planning and a supportive environment, while also reflecting the Filipino and Italian communities' shared values of culture and family.

“The tragedy of last year touched our Italian community deeply, because the Filipino community is part of our extended family,” said Mario Miceli, Executive Director of Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre. “Our communities share common histories as immigrants in Canada, shaped by sacrifice, resilience, and the importance of looking after one another. Welcoming Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness into Il Centro is an act of solidarity and remembrance, and a commitment to creating space for healing, cultural pride, and coming together with care, respect, and compassion.”

A full schedule and detailed programming for Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness will be released in the coming days and weeks. The community is invited to come together with care and continue the shared work of healing in ways that feel safe, respectful, and supportive.