CONTACT:
Silvia Lew
Co-Chair, Media & Publicity Committee
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
communications@apalaweb.org
APALA Statement on Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Festival Tragedy
The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) mourns the tragic events that unfolded at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. On April 26, 2025, the Filipino-Canadian community in the Greater Vancouver area was celebrating the 2nd annual Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, a multi-block street party, when a man drove his SUV directly into the crowd of attendees. At least 11 people have died so far, with more than 20 people injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and the broader Filipino and AANHPI communities who are grieving during this devastating time.
Lapu-Lapu Day is a Filipino national holiday held in honor of Indigenous leader Lapu-Lapu, whose defeat of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 signifies the Philippines’ earliest act of resistance against colonization. In 2023, the Government of British Columbia officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in recognition of the Filipino-Canadian community in BC and its contributions to the province. This year’s celebration of Lapu-Lapu’s enduring legacy and the resilience of the Filipino spirit ended in tragedy due to a person who was reportedly experiencing a severe mental health crisis.
This tragedy is not isolated. It is a painful reminder of the ongoing failures in our social systems, particularly those meant to protect mental health and public safety. Marginalized communities repeatedly bear the cost of systemic neglect: underfunded services, inaccessible care, and stigma, especially in immigrant and diasporic communities, leave far too many without the support they deserve.
Mental health is not a personal failing; it is a public concern that demands a collective, sustained response. Without equitable, culturally competent support systems in place, tragedies like this will continue to occur. We must confront the realities of mental health crises with urgency, compassion, and resources—not just in the aftermath of violence, but proactively, every day.
APALA stands with all those calling for systemic change. We urge policymakers, community leaders, and institutions to prioritize mental health care that is accessible, culturally informed, and integrated into all aspects of community support. We also call upon our peers in the library and information professions to continue creating spaces that promote wellness, destigmatize mental health care, and uplift the voices of communities that are so often unheard until tragedy strikes.
Our hearts are with Vancouver’s Filipino community and with everyone impacted by this profound loss. We are committed to advocating for a future where mental health is not neglected and where community care is valued as a fundamental right.
Resources
- Victim Services are available 24/7 for those who witnessed or experienced trauma – call or text 1-800-563-0808 or email 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca
- 310 Mental Health Line at 310-6789
- Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433
- Donations: https://filipinobc.com/