Our heart goes out to all the victims and families in the tragic event at Vancouver’s LapuLapu Festival where a dark SUV rammed into the crowd through Fraser St, only a block away from our home, killing a number of lives and wounding others during the event.

Both schools of our two daughters sent us an invitation for the LapuLapu Day early this month, and was sent again the day before the festivity. Chantry was excited to attend this event as her classmates and friends planned to be there. Similarly, Cherin Hale wanted to witness this concert, too. However, Lapulapu Festival did not resonate much to my heart so I suggested to go to Ikea to spend the entire day there, at which Erwin agreed without defiance.

I recall how my kids exclaimed out of excitement when I announced to them on Friday evening that we’re going to Ikea the following day. They totally forgot about Lapulapu Street Festival. I totally forgot about it, too!

The next morning, the day of the tragic incident, Chantry woke up, cheerfully lifting her hand, “Ikea!”

As the morning passed, I was on my desk in the living room when Chantry reminded Erwin about Lapulapu Festival, hoping she could see Mr. Craigie, her adviser, and her classmates, at which Erwin answered, “No, we’re going to Ikea.” Chantry insisted no more as she thought Ikea might be more fun. So she was only testing if we could also go to Lapulapu Block Party.

When we returned home from Ikea, Erwin anxiously delivered to me the tragic news that happened at LapuLapu Festival. We watched the video in horror and read messages from friends, before the news was even aired in the mainstream media. My husband had a vision around 11 o’clock in the morning that tragic day while we were waiting for the bus heading to Ikea. He relayed to me that he saw in his vision a vehicle ready to hit us and he wanted to protect us. Later on did he realize that this vision was in reference to what’s about to transpire at LapuLapu Festival in the evening around 8 o’clock.

One of our churchmates was a volunteer at the festival. He shared a photo posing in the middle of the street at 8:05pm together with his wife and friends, a few minutes before the dark SUV plowed through the crowd in the street at 8:14pm. He and his family left early and they were spared.

One of my friends was about to go to this festival but her daughter wanted to watch the Minecraft movie instead, so they were spared.

Another friend of mine wanted to go to Fraser St to experience Filipino street food once again, but she decided not to proceed. She was spared.

My new employer asked me to purchase new onboarding equipment, which urged me to also purchase a new monitor stand. This lured us to go to Ikea instead. We totally forgot about Lapulapu Festival. We were spared.

Fraser St was only one block away from home. We could’ve easily gone there in the evening because we were home around 7pm, but because we were tired, we chose to stay home. Such festivity, although it was truly fun, for some twist of event, was no longer in our plan.

I also remember Cherin Hale’s classmate directly sending me a message around 5pm asking permission for Hale to go out with her at which I usually say yes, but this time, I said no.

Had I said yes, Hale and her friend could’ve gone to Fraser Street–and only God knows what could’ve happened to my dear daughter and her friend.

To recount everything here, to share how things transpired, how we said no, how we ended up in Ikea and not in Fraser St, will take a much longer writeup…

It is a devastating April 26 to Filipino Canadian community in BC. What’s supposed to be a festive event turned out to be a tragedy. There were people who were spared but not everyone was.

Someone has just lost a mother last night. A thoughtful son has just lost a dad. A caring parent just lost a child. Another student lost a classmate.

According to Hale’s friend who was there during the incident, it was gruesome to witness the tragedy from afar, but it was more devastating to watch graphic video up close. You’ll struggle to eat. You’ll struggle to sleep. It is emotionally distressing.

To all our friends who reached out to us to check on us, thank you. My family and I are all safe. We spent the night and morning reflecting about this tragedy… In a snap, you can lose a loved one just like that!

To all the victims of this tragedy, we mourn with you and we offer our deepest condolences. May those who passed on rest in peace. May those whose family are left behind gain the strength to face the next phase in their lives. May God be with all of us in this time of mourning…

British Columbia formally established April 27th as Lapu-Lapu Day through official government recognition in 2023. This declaration honored the significant cultural impact of Filipino Canadians, who represent one of British Columbia’s largest immigrant populations.

Datu Lapulapu fought defiantly against the Spaniards, led by Ferdinand Magellan, who were determined to colonize Cebu. LapuLapu resisted and won what is today known as the Battle in Mactan in 1852.

We, Filipinos, are known for our courage and resilience. However, it is a tragedy today to learn that many lives have been broken at the closing of the event.

I walk through Fraser St many times and I know that the feeling as I tread the street will never be the same again.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12 ESV)

Photo credit: ANI News