Standing Strong Together: The Resilient Filipino Community in B.C. Unites Amidst Tragedy

The Surrey community came together in large numbers to mourn the victims of the recent tragedy at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Festival. A vigil organized by the Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society took place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on the evening of April 27. This event honored those affected by the horrific incident where a man, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, drove through a crowd, resulting in 11 fatalities and multiple serious injuries.

Despite the short notice—only five hours via Facebook—the turnout was impressive. Narima Dela Cruz, the society’s founder, noted, “The mood was somber. Everyone was in shock and grief, but they came to support the victims and their families.” Attendees brought flowers and candles, creating a poignant atmosphere of togetherness.

Dela Cruz had planned to attend the festival herself but instead celebrated her birthday with the community. Reflecting on the tragedy, she said, “I feel there was a divine intervention. It’s sad to think I’ll be reminded of this pain every year.” After hearing about the incident, she spent the evening connecting with survivors and community members before deciding to head to Vancouver for support.

In total, five people from Surrey were directly affected, including three survivors she spoke to on the day of the tragedy. The victims included individuals aged between five and 65, illustrating the widespread impact on families and friends.

In the aftermath, numerous online fundraisers emerged, prompting the organizers of the Lapu Lapu Festival to issue a warning about potential scams. GoFundMe responded by creating a verified list of fundraisers to ensure contributions reach the right families. Notably, there’s one for Rizza, a victim of the tragedy, which was started in Surrey. You can view it here.

Dela Cruz emphasized the importance of focusing on those in need: “The consensus in our community is to support affected families, not spread hate or blame. We need each other during this time.” She advises that updates will come as more information about the victims is available.

This tragedy highlights the persistence of community spirit in difficult times. As people come together to heal, their collective strength serves as a testament to the deep bonds of support that exist within the Surrey community.

For further details on verified fundraising efforts and to stay updated, visit the GoFundMe hub.

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Filipino community|tragedy