The organizers of the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver say remembrance and healing will be key parts of this year’s event, one year after an alleged vehicle attack left 11 people dead and more than two dozen injured.
Filipino B.C. said the festival is being planned for the weekend of April 17 to 19, just ahead of the anniversary of the deadly incident. Organizers say they are working closely with the city, the province, and first responders to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.
“This festival is a way to come together safely, to hold space for grief, and to reaffirm our commitment to one another through culture, connection, and collective care,” said Filipino BC chair RJ Aquino.
Lapu-Lapu Day is celebrated annually in honour of an Indigenous leader of the Philippines who is known for his resistance to Spanish colonization.
Vancouver police have said that on April 26, a man drove a vehicle through a crowd of people celebrating the Lapu Lapu Day festival. Those killed ranged in age from five to 65.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo faces 11 counts of second-degree murder and 31 counts of attempted murder in connection with the alleged attack.
Filipino BC said this year’s festival is being held a week ahead of the anniversary of the tragedy to allow that time to be dedicated to memorial events. The organization said it will share details of its planned memorial gathering soon.
Latincouver is a partner in this year’s event. The Latin American cultural group organizes the annual Carnaval del Sol in Vancouver.
“The Latin community suffered the devastating loss of four community members following the April 26 tragedy—people who had also contributed their time and care to making events like our annual Carnaval del Sol possible,” said executive director Paola Murillo in a statement.
“Our partnership with Filipino BC for Lapu Lapu Day 2026 reflects our shared commitment to supporting one another, honouring those we’ve lost, and uplifting our communities through culture, connection, and solidarity.”
A B.C. government report released in July made several recommendations to improve public safety at community events. It said all public events should conduct thorough risk assessments and called on the province to establish clear guidance for planners. It also said the province should consider more funding to help communities with safety and security costs.
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