1 week Ago By Noah Brennan
Members of Calgary’s Filipino community expressed shock and heartbreak after a car-ramming attack at a Vancouver street festival left 11 people dead and dozens more injured. “What happened at Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver is extremely heartbreaking,” said Ayra Bukhari, president of the University of Calgary Filipino Students’ Association. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted.
” Bukhari said Filipino culture is “defined by community and connection,” making what happened at the waning moments of the Lapu Lapu Day block party on Saturday night especially painful. “To see someone try to break this apart is deeply disturbing, but this incident does not define us,” she said. In the wake of the tragedy, she said the student group is raising funds to send to Filipino BC .
And despite the attack on a Filipino cultural festival, the group remains committed to organizing events that showcase Filipino culture and will continue advocating for and celebrating Filipino culture. “It’s very upsetting to see this happen, but that won’t discourage us from highlighting the beauty of our culture,” she said. Bukhari described the Lapu Lapu Day festival as a celebration of resilience, named after Lapulapu, an indigenous leader who fought against Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
“This festival is essentially to just showcase our culture and that we’re resilient throughout hardship,” she said. “We still stand, and our culture is still vibrant and beautiful. That comes through music, that comes through dance, and so many other shapes and forms.
“The Philippines and Filipinos just love to celebrate that we’re resilient and can thrive even through hard times.” Bukhari emphasized the importance of broader support for the Filipino community at a difficult time. “It’s so important, especially at a time like this, to be accepting of other cultures and to participate in events cross-culturally,” she said.
“I know the Filipino culture . . .
is very welcoming, Filipino community ‘so intertwined and so connected’ Though the attack happened in another province, its impact is felt deeply among Filipino communities across Canada. “The Filipino community across Canada, across the world, is so intertwined and so connected,” she said. “Even if this is not in Alberta, we still feel the impacts.
“It is really scary knowing that individuals can commit acts of crime like this against people just wanting to celebrate,” she added. “But despite that . .
. we’ll continue to remain resilient.” In a statement, the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary expressed concern over the incident.
“We stand in solidarity with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, the Filipino community in British Columbia, and Filipinos across Canada in reaffirming our commitment to unity, mutual respect, and the celebration of our shared heritage,” said Consul General Emma Sarne. “We remain supportive of efforts to ensure that Filipino cultural events continue to be spaces of pride, dignity, and harmony for all.” RelatedParties recalibrate campaigns after deadly Vancouver car ramming attackVancouver festival ramming is latest attack to use vehicles as deadly weapons Community leaders in Calgary also shared condolences.
“The devastating attack on the Filipino community in Vancouver last night is heartbreaking,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek in a post on X. “The Lapu Lapu Day Festival was meant to be a celebration, but ended in horror after a senseless act of violence. My heart is with the Filipino community in Vancouver as well as Calgary.
” The devastating attack on the Filipino community in Vancouver last night is heartbreaking. The Lapu Lapu Day Festival was meant to be a celebration, but ended in horror after a senseless act of violence. My heart is with the Filipino community in Vancouver as well as Calgary.
— Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) April 27, 2025 Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong also shared his support, reflecting on the tragedy after attending a celebration with Filipino seniors in Calgary. “Last night I celebrated the birthday of dozens of Filipino seniors in Calgary as a tragedy unfolded in Vancouver,” he said on X.
“My heart goes to the Filipino community in Vancouver, Calgary and around the world.” Last night I celebrated the birthday of dozens of Filipino seniors in Calgary as a tragedy unfolded in Vancouver as Filipinos celebrate heritage festival Lupa Lupa. My heart goes to the Filipino community in Vancouver, Calgary and around the world.
9 died, dozens injured.— Terry Wong (@YYCTKW) April 27, 2025 — With files from The Canadian Press.
