Filipino community in Hamilton to hold vigil tonight for victims of Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy
11 people were killed at the Vancouver street festival a week ago
After 11 people were killed at the Lapu-Lapu Day event in Vancouver last weekend, Filipinos across the country are finding solace in one another, says Hamilton psychotherapist Joey Ruiz.
"It's the strength of the Filipino spirit that helps us survive, the sense of faith," said Ruiz, who was born in the Philippines. "There's a great sense of bayanihan — that sense of belonging or wanting to help that's so ingrained in our culture."
She's among those organizing a vigil Sunday evening at Bayfront Park, along with Filipinas of HamOnt co-founder Jessica Vinluan.
"We're hoping for the vigil, the community is gathering to collectively mourn together," said Vinluan. "It's very important for us to gather and be together."
In the evening of April 26, an SUV drove into a crowded Lapu-Lapu Day street festival event, killing 11 people and injuring nearly 30.
The festival was supposed to celebrate the Filipino-Canadian community, but turned into "the darkest day" in Vancouver's history, as described by interim police Chief Steve Rai.
The youngest victim identified as of Sunday is 5-year-old girl, Katie Le, who was killed along with her parents Richard Le and Linh Hoang. Three people from another family were also killed — Glitza Daniela Samper, her mother Glitza Maria Caicedo and her father Daniel Samper. More information about the victims can be found here.
Watch | 10 victims killed in Lapu-Lapu festival identified:
The accused attacker, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder.
Hamilton residents like Ruiz knew people who were attending the festival that day.
Ruiz's niece and nephew had gone to the festival, but left just before the attack. She said she also has other family in the area, who she checked on and were safe.
"It feels so personal because that could have been my tita or tito," she said, using words for aunt or uncle. "That could've been my family member."
Sense of community helps manage pain
As a registered psychotherapist, Ruiz said she's been part of nationwide community check ins where witnesses to the attack have shared their traumatic experiences, trying to help those deeply impacted.
"This person who was sharing is just like, 'life will never be the same,'" she said.
In these online groups, many people don't speak, but just being there helps, Ruiz said.
"The sense of community, just being together in that same space, helps us to manage the pain," said Ruiz. "Filipinos, who are from a collectivistic culture regulate through co-regulation, so simply being there in silence, we're able to be connected with one another in the sense of, we're not alone."
She's offering her services free of charge for any Filipinos in Hamilton struggling to process the attack.
Vigil to be held at Bayfront Park
Vinluan said she is still processing what happened and feels both numb and heartbroken.
"I'm really leaning on community," she said.
While that's mostly been on social media, the vigil, called a Luksang Bayan in the Tagalog language, or "mourning as a community," will be a way for her and others find togetherness in person, Vinluan said.
They're encouraging people to wear black, bring blankets and chairs and dress appropriately for the weather as it will take place rain or shine.
Donations can be made to the Filipino B.C., United Way B.C., or directly to impacted families, as verified by the Vancouver Filipino Emergency Coalition.
There will be singing and spoken word performances and volunteers will hand out electronic candles. Ruiz will also be offering extra support to anyone who needs it afterwards.
The vigil runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 200 Harbour Front Dr.
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With files from Aura Carreño Rosas