The Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025, was a vibrant cultural event celebrating the Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu, featuring live performances, Filipino food, vendors, and basketball tournaments. It was the second annual Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, held in the Sunset neighborhood, attracting tens of thousands of attendees
. Tragically, on the evening of the festival, around 8:14 PM local time, a 30-year-old man drove an SUV into a crowd of festival-goers. This deliberate act resulted in the deaths of eleven people, including a five-year-old child, and injured more than two dozen others, some seriously. The victims ranged in age from 5 to 65 years old
. The suspect, known to have a history of mental health issues, was arrested at the scene. Authorities ruled out terrorism as a motive but charged him with multiple counts of second-degree murder
. The incident shocked the Filipino community in Vancouver and beyond, leading to public expressions of grief and solidarity, including community events to support the victims and their families
. In summary, the Lapu-Lapu Festival in 2025 was marred by a deadly vehicle attack that caused significant loss of life and injury, overshadowing the cultural celebration of Filipino heritage and resilience
