Saskatchewan's Filipino community heartbroken after deadly Vancouver festival tragedy
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.
Jenelyn Santos Ong, co-president of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Saskatchewan, says the organization has reached out the Vancouver-Filipino community to offer support. (Jeffery Tram/CBC)
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.
"Events like this are supposed to be joyous," he said. "We want our kids to know they should still be excited to celebrate our culture."
Strength in community
Pulga and the Philippine Association of Saskatchewan have been preparing for its Filipino pavilion at Mosaic festival — an annual multicultural event scheduled for the first weekend of June.
He said that while security had not been a focus in past meetings, that will likely change.
"I'm sure at our next meeting something's gonna be brought up with this idea in mind of security," he said.
Both Ong and Pulga emphasized that while the tragedy has cast a shadow over celebrations, it has also revealed the strength and unity of the Filipino community.
"One thing about Filipinos is that we really do come together when there's tragedy or crisis," Ong said. "The community is still feeling that sadness, but also the gratitude for having a community that comes together."
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