Saskatchewan's Filipino community heartbroken after deadly Vancouver festival tragedy

Members of Saskatchewan's Filipino community are expressing shock, sadness and solidarity following an incident at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver on Saturday that left 11 people dead and several others injured.

Jenelyn Santos Ong, co-president of the Filipino Canadian Association of Saskatchewan (FILCAS), said the news was devastating to hear.

"It's definitely one of shock and sadness, something unimaginable and unexpected, especially at an event that's supposed to be celebrating our culture and heritage," Ong said.

The incident happened Saturday afternoon during a street party commemorating Lapu Lapu, a revered Filipino hero known for resisting Spanish colonization in the 1500s. 

According to police, a vehicle drove into the festival crowd. The driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver man, is in custody.

Ong said many Filipinos in Saskatchewan have family and friends living in Vancouver. She noted that although her loved ones had already left the festival site before the tragedy occurred, not everyone has been accounted for.

"A lot of us know family and friends that are living there," she said. "Even if they're not directly impacted, just knowing that they were there, and witnessing it or being close by, it still affects them."

Ong says FILCAS has already contacted Filipino organizations in British Columbia to offer support, and will continue coordinating efforts to help the affected families. She encouraged people to focus on community healing rather than sharing graphic images or videos circulating online.

"We really want to focus on the people and do what we can to support them," Ong said.

Alvin Pulga, public relations officer for the Philippine Association of Saskatchewan in Regina, said he first learned of the tragedy from a family group chat. Like many, he woke up to the devastating news on Sunday morning.

"As a Filipino-Canadian, it hits closer to home," Pulga said. "Our community here in Regina is heartbroken and saddened."

Pulga said the tragedy sparked difficult conversations within his own family, particularly with younger relatives now fearful about attending cultural festivals.

"I was talking about it with my niece and my son earlier today and it's hard to explain, you know, the reality that things like this can happen," he said. "You try to comfort them just knowing that it'll be OK."

He emphasized the importance of reassuring young people that celebrating culture should remain a source of pride and joy, despite the risks.