Manitobans offer condolences after deadly Vancouver Filipino festival attack
Posted April 27, 2025 3:58 pm.
Last Updated April 28, 2025 8:00 am.
Manitobans are reeling after at least 11 people were killed Saturday when a car plowed into a crowd at a weekend festival in Vancouver.
Vancouver police say an SUV entered a crowd of hundreds and drove through it, striking dozens.
Calling it the “darkest day” in the city’s history, interim Chief Steve Rai confirmed a 30-year-old Vancouver man is in custody. The suspect has “a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.”
READ: ‘Desperate tragedy’: King Charles and other world leaders react to deadly Vancouver attack
Leaders from Winnipeg’s Filipino community say they are shaken and extremely saddened.
“Of course shocked of the reality that things do happen, suffering and pain happens to good people,” said Pastor Wendell Olojan, the president of the Filipino Inter-Church Fellowship of Winnipeg.
“I contacted my pastor friend in Vancouver about it and how they are all so shocked. We are shocked, for this to happen to the Filipino community, really shocking here in Canada.”
Winnipeg has one of the largest Filipino communities in Canada, with over 75,000 people, making up nearly 10 per cent of the city’s population.
Olojan says the community all across the country is as tight knit as they come, and the pain from what happened will be felt from coast to coast.
“We Filipinos are very close to one another,” he said. “Whenever we see a Filipino, we always ask the question, ‘are you a Filipino,’ and we are instantly friends even though we are from all over the Philippines. And we are so thankful to be here, and to be a part of Canada, and it’s always so much pain and suffering when we go through these things.”
Pastor Donald Castro, who leads a different Filipino church in Winnipeg, had similar sentiments, saying he and the members of his church were in complete shock when they awoke to the news on Sunday morning.
“It’s real terrible, when I woke up, so I prayed, and then I spoke to the team, our team, it’s devastating. They were just enjoying and celebrating this fest, and suddenly it happened,” said Castro, the senior pastor at the Word International Ministries of Manitoba.
“We are saddened with what happened, but we’ll keep on praying. We love this nation, we need to protect it.”
The Manitoba Filipino Business Council says it is “deeply heartbroken.”
“What should have been a joyful celebration of Philippine culture, community and resilience turned into an unimaginable tragedy.
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families and the entire Philippine community in Vancouver. Here in Manitoba, we grieve alongside our kababayan, standing together in sorrow and solidarity. In moments like this, we find strength by leaning on one another and honouring the enduring spirit that unites our Philippine community across the country.”
Megan Karylle, a 15-year-old Filipina from Winnipeg, tells CityNews she too has been taken back after hearing what the Filipino community in Vancouver is experiencing.
“It was honestly really saddening, I may have never met those people personally, but I know their lives are precious,” Karylle said. “And as a community Filipinos are very connected, we love spending time with people and I may have never met them right in front of me, but I know the people around them are deeply affected.”
Here’s what other leaders and key figures in Manitoba had to say:
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the terrible attack at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver. On behalf of Manitobans, I offer my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and the Filipino community in B.C. and across Canada. We are mourning with you and stand with you.”
Malaya Marcelino, Manitoba minister of labour and immigration
“I’m feeling sick at the news of a mass casualty incident at a Vancouver Filipino Festival last night perpetrated by a young man who drove and continued speeding into the gathered crowd. The Filipino community in Manitoba is praying for those who were killed and injured and for those directly affected by this horrific incident. We appreciate the work and care of first responders at the scene. We ask God for strength during the difficult days ahead.”
Jelynn Dela Cruz, MLA for Radisson
“The Lapu-Lapu festival is a sacred celebration of our history as diverse peoples and Datu Lapulapu as our first national hero. This celebration in Vancouver was robbed by violence and fear, two things that have no place in this great country.
“With trust in the justice system, I pray to Creator that those injured receive care, that families of those lost are given answers, and than yung pamilya natin across Canada finds space to heal.”
Jon Reyes, former Manitoba MLA
“My heart is absolutely broken over the tragedy that took place at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver. As a proud Filipino Canadian, this hits especially close to home. What was meant to be a day of joy, culture, and community turned into a nightmare no one should ever have to experience.
“To those who lost loved ones, who were injured, or who are grieving, I see you, I mourn with you, and I am praying for your healing. Our community is strong, and in this unimaginable pain, we will stand even stronger together. Please take a moment to keep the victims and their families in your thoughts. Let’s continue to support each other through this heartbreaking time.”
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham
“The news out of Vancouver is appalling. I’ve reached out to Mayor Sim and Councillor Bligh offering deepest condolences from our city council and the people of Winnipeg to all who have lost loved ones. There are many ties between the Filipino communities in B.C. and Manitoba.”
Winnipeg Jets
“Our thoughts are with Filipino communities across Canada in light of the recent tragedy in Vancouver.”
