Vancouver automobile assault: What’s Lapu Lapu Day road competition?

Vancouver was rocked this weekend as tragedy struck whereas individuals have been celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, a celebration that’s all about remembering the Filipino nationwide hero who bravely battled Spanish colonization.
A car-ramming assault killed a minimum of 11 and injured dozens extra, casting a shadow over what was imagined to be a celebratory commemoration.
What’s Lapu Lapu day?
Lapu Lapu, the Mactan Island chief within the Philippines, is famous for his victory in 1521, the place he commanded his troops to repel the Spanish expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The victory is now a logo of braveness and resistance towards colonization, with Lapu Lapu being hailed as a nationwide hero, the Gaurdian reported.
In 2023, British Columbia made April 27 formally Lapu Lapu Day, a celebration of Filipino heritage and recognition of the Filipino individuals’s contributions to the cultural heritage of the province. Vancouver’s festivities, which drew 1000’s, have been supposed to seize the satisfaction, historical past, and vitality of Filipino tradition. The celebration concerned music, parades, cultural dances, basketball video games, and a show of Filipino delicacies and home made merchandise.
However the joyful celebration was instantly delivered to a halt when a car bumped into the group, triggering panic and pandemonium. Organizers confirmed their deepest remorse, saying, “We’re devastated for the households and victims. We’re nonetheless discovering the phrases to precise the deep heartbreak introduced on by this mindless tragedy.”
The Filipino group in British Columbia, numbering 172,915 in 2021, has expanded drastically over the previous a number of years. Nonetheless, lots of the group’s members persist in paying homage to the legacy of such people as Lapu Lapu, whose resistance to international domination continues to encourage satisfaction and solidarity.
April 27 can also be celebrated as Lapu Lapu Day within the Philippines. Lapu-Lapu Metropolis on Mactan Island has a month-long festivity, which incorporates market stalls, parade, and reenactment of the Battle of Mactan.
Previous to the assault, the Vancouver rally had been charged with ardour and respect for Lapu Lapu’s contribution to Filipino identification and resistance. Organizers identified that the occasion symbolized “the soul of native resistance” and underscored the power of unity in upholding cultural heritage.