The vibrant streets of Vancouver’s Sunset neighborhood, typically alive with the joy of cultural celebration, were shrouded in sorrow on April 26, 2025, after a devastating attack at the Lapu Lapu Day festival left 11 people dead and dozens injured. Among those moved by the tragedy was Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez, a proud Filipina-Canadian whose deep ties to her heritage amplified her anguish. From her base in Madrid, where she was competing in the 2025 Madrid Open, the 22-year-old shared an emotional message on social media, expressing her heartbreak and solidarity with the victims of what she called a “horrific and senseless” act. Her words, steeped in empathy, underscored the profound impact of the tragedy on Vancouver’s tight-knit Filipino community and beyond.
The Lapu Lapu Day festival, held annually to honor the Filipino hero Datu Lapu-Lapu, who resisted Spanish colonization in 1521, is a cornerstone of cultural pride for British Columbia’s Filipino diaspora, which numbers over 170,000. The event, officially recognized by the province in 2023, drew up to 100,000 attendees with its vibrant parade, traditional dances, and a concert featuring Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. But the festivities turned to chaos just after 8 p.m. when a black Audi SUV, allegedly driven by 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, plowed through the crowd on East 43rd Avenue near Fraser Street. Witnesses described a harrowing scene, with bodies scattered amid food trucks and families fleeing in panic. “There’s a car that went just through the whole street and just hitting everyone,” recounted local resident Abigail Andiso, capturing the terror of the moment.
Fernandez, whose mother Irene hails from the Philippines, felt the weight of the loss from thousands of miles away. “I am deeply heartbroken to hear about the tragic incident at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver,” she wrote on Instagram, her message resonating with fans and the Filipino community. “This horrific and senseless act of violence has taken precious lives and left many injured. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community during this incredibly difficult time.” Her tribute called for unity, echoing the Filipino value of Bayanihan—collective community spirit—that the festival celebrates. “Let us come together to support one another and honor the strength and resilience of the Filipino community,” she urged, a plea that struck a chord amid the grief.
The suspect, Lo, a Vancouver resident with a history of mental health-related interactions with police, faces eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges expected. Authorities have ruled out terrorism, noting Lo’s personal struggles, including the murder of his brother in 2024 and his mother’s subsequent suicide attempt. Vancouver Police Interim Chief Steve Rai called the attack “the darkest day in our city’s history,” emphasizing its shattering impact. “The actions of a single person shattered our collective sense of safety,” he told reporters, as bystanders were credited for apprehending Lo before police arrived.
Vancouver’s Filipino community, the third-largest visible minority group in British Columbia, has rallied in response. Vigils, including one at St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Church attended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby, drew hundreds to mourn victims ranging in age from 5 to 65. Carney, visibly emotional, described the loss as “every family’s nightmare,” while Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his devastation, vowing support for the affected families. RJ Aquino, head of Filipino BC, the festival’s organizer, spoke of the community’s enduring grief, saying, “Saturday night was extremely difficult and the community will feel this for a long time.”
For Fernandez, a former US Open finalist and a beacon of pride for Filipino-Canadians, the tragedy hit close to home. Her success on the global stage, including a recent doubles title in Madrid alongside Taylor Townsend, has often been celebrated by the community now reeling from loss. As she prepares for the Italian Open, Fernandez carries the weight of her heritage, using her platform to uplift those grieving. Her message, a blend of sorrow and hope, reflects the resilience of a community determined to heal, even as it mourns an unthinkable tragedy.