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This post was written by the Rev. Expedito Farinas, Rector of St. Mary the Virgin, SouthHill.

Lapu-lapu - is a brave indigenous leader from the Southern regions of the Philippines. We, (Filipinos) regard him as the first Filipino hero because of his resistance to foreign colonization.(Spanish).

On April 26, 2025 (Sunny Saturday), we came together as one community to celebrate, "Lapu-lapu Day" to honor our heritage.

That day was filled with laughter, dancing (zumba, tinikling, pandango, line dancing,..etc), delicious food (sari-sari), and with music (Concert: Allan Pineda Lindo (aka Apl.de.ap. - a Filipino singer/rapper from the LA Black Eyed Peas group). A well attended Filipino community event!

It was supposedly a day of great celebration honoring our heritage, our culture and our tradition. But it turned out to be one of the most horrifying and traumatizing day that Filipino community will never forget.
What was supposed to be a celebration, ended with 11 people killed and dozens injured. 

On Sunday, 27 April 2025, our Church, St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Vancouver opened her doors to mourners and well-wishers.

A prayer vigil service and candle lighting was held in honor of those lost innocent lives.

Healing prayers are also asked for the grieving families and for those individuals who got hurt/injured and for those witnesses who were traumatized because of this incident.

Many members of government and community leaders others offered words of support during the vigil, including BC Premier David Eby, MLA Adrian Dix, MP Don Davies and Wade Grant, former councillor for Musqueam Nation. Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mayor Ken Sim and MLA Mable Elmore attended the vigil, lighting a candle and laying flowers at the remembrance altar. 

Keep us and our community in your thoughts and prayers.

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Photos  Submitted by Rev. Expedito Farinas: 

 1. Mourners and well-wishers holding candles in the sanctuary of St. Mary's. 

2. Prime Minister Mark Carney lays flowers at an altar of remembrance inside St. Mary's. 

3. Premier David Eby speaks to the congregation and well-wishers at St. Mary's. 

4. The Honorable Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway speaks to the congregation. 

5. The Honorable Don Davies, MP for Vancouver-Kingsway speak to mourners and well-wishers at St. Mary's.