Lapu-Lapu Day: A simple Filipino Festival turned into a tragedy

TO COMMEMORATE the heroic act of Datu Lapu Lapu—the man who led the Filipinos in defeating the Spanish-led force held by Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan; thousands of Filipinos in Vancouver, Canada, conduct an annual festival dedicated to the national hero. 

In 2023, the government of British Columbia officially acknowledged April 27 as the day to remember the datu’s heroism. During ‘Lapu Lapu Day, ’ the cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community are recognized as one of the largest immigrant groups in the province. 

However, on April 27, 2025, tragedy struck at the event after a dark SUV rammed into the crowd, killing multiple people and injuring others. 

The centerpiece of the festival in Vancouver is a multi-block street party in the Sunset neighbourhood that features Philippine culture. Live performances, foods, and cultural displays can also be seen at the said festival. 

On Saturday, while the party was just starting to break up, there were still many people in the street when a dark SUV rammed into the crowd. 

According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), they have confirmed that nine people have died in the event after a man drove through a crowd at the Lapu Lapu festival. 

The crowd held the 30-year-old male driver of the black SUV until the police came onto the scene. While the law enforcement has not given out a motive, they are confident that the incident was not an act of terrorism. Mental health issues of the driver were also being looked into. 

Vancouver Police interim chief Steve Rai told reporters in a press briefing that there was only “one suspect, one vehicle,” in the incident.  

President Bongbong Marcos has since then expressed his grief on the incident. 

“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident during a Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, BC, Canada,” President Marcos said in a public statement on Sunday.