JOINT MEDIA RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, BC – June 2025 – The Italian Day Festival Society and Filipino BC express their deepest sorrow and solidarity following the tragic violence that occurred after the Lapu Lapu Day Festival on April 26, where an intentional act took the lives of 11 people and left many more injured.
These heartbreaking events unfolded after a day that was, at its heart, a vibrant celebration of Filipino heritage, courage, and community. Created to honour resistance and resilience, Lapu Lapu Day commemorates the bravery of a leader who stood to protect his people, culture, and land. The festival brought together diverse Filipino communities and the broader public in a spirit of love, joy, and cultural pride — a day that was beautiful, rich in heritage, and full of collective spirit.
As part of this year’s Italian Day on The Drive on Sunday, June 8, the Italian Day Festival Society has welcomed Filipino BC and Lapu Lapu Day Festival participants to join in the festival’s Opening Ceremony, which will include a moment of silence to honour the victims and the impacted community — and to stand together in shared sorrow and strength.
“Italian Day has always been about community, culture, and connection,” says Melissa De Genova, Vice President of the Italian Day Festival Society.
“In the face of tragedy, we stand beside our Filipino neighbours to honour the lives lost and the resilience of those who continue. Our hearts are with the families and communities forever changed by this devastating act.”
“This moment reflects the strength of community — we are grateful to the Italian Day Festival for standing with us in unity and care,” says Kristina Corpin-Moser, Executive Director of Filipino BC.
“Lapu Lapu Day was a celebration of who we are — joyful, strong, and proud. In mourning, we remain all of these things. We are honoured to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends at Italian Day and the wider Vancouver community.”
This act of unity reaffirms the values that bind Vancouver’s diverse cultural communities — respect, resilience, and the belief that through solidarity, we find healing. It also reminds us of kapwa — a shared spirit of togetherness — which is more vital than ever.
At Italian Day on The Drive, we believe in the power of community to support and uplift one another — especially in times of loss. We honour the lives lost, hold their families close in our thoughts, and extend our deepest gratitude to all who have shown up with compassion and care in these difficult weeks.
May we continue to honour those we’ve lost not just in memory, but through action, justice, and the way we care for one another every day.
DONATE: Support for Victims and Families
In response to the tragedy, Filipino BC and the Canadian Red Cross have launched a donation fund to support those directly impacted. 100% of donations will respond to the immediate and emerging needs of individuals and families and will support the recovery and resiliency of communities devastated by this event.
Donate at:
🔗 FilipinoBC
🔗 Red Cross
ITALIAN DAY ON THE DRIVE
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Opening Ceremony: 12:00pm
Location: The Drive Main Stage (East 2nd Avenue & Commercial Drive)
Moment of Silence: In memory of the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
MEDIA CONTACTS
Italian Day Festival Society
Jennifer Engele, Masterhouse Media
📧 jennifer@masterhouse.net
🌐 www.italianday.ca
Filipino BC
Crystal Laderas, Media Relations Manager, Filipino BC
📧 media@fiilpinobc.com
🌐 www.filipinobc.ca
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