by Maria Veronica “Vernie” G. Caparas
[N.B. This is Part II of a 3-part article on Babáng Luksâ. Part II narrates the ongoing division and strife among many communities while some observe Babáng Luksâ and oppose the 2026 LapuLapu Day of Togetherness.]
The days following the 26 April 2025 LapuLapu Day tragedy remain mired in controversies that make every grieving person wail even louder to the days of Babáng Luksâ (literally, end of mourning; usually observed a year after someone’s passing). The festival’s origin in Vancouver, BC recognizes the need to educate the young generation of Filipino immigrants on the heroism of the 16th-century inhabitants of the then unnamed archipelago.
LapuLapu – the Filipinos’ symbol of continuing resistance to colonial remnants – has now turned into an icon of division, layered with injustice, microaggressions, and unrest. Communities turned to social media to vent. Government leaders responded in their own way. United Way of BC (UWBC) raised more than $2M and established the Kapwa Strong Fund to help victims and communities with healing and recovery costs.
MLA Mable Elmore – the lone BC Member of the Legislative Assembly of Filipino heritage – has been visiting survivors in hospitals, assuring victims and families of assistance from all levels of government, and listening to their lamentations. She finds that their biggest question remains unanswered: “Where are the monies donated for our recovery?” As of press time, MLA Elmore calls on all Kapwa Strong Fund donees for the return of unspent funds to the victims and their families.
April 19, 2026: LapuLapu Day of Togetherness, 10:00 am–2:00 pm
Families of the victims exposed more stories on April 19.
This day revolves around remembrance, continuing grief, anger, and frustration – particularly over what appears to be the failure of LapuLapu Day organizers, led by Filipinos BC (FBC) chair RJ Aquino, to heed the victims and their families’ request not to hold the festival a year after the tragedy. FBC is one of four organizations (alongside the National Filipino-Canadian Cultural Centre, Mabuhay House Society, and Filipino Legacy Society) formed over the last six years by community leaders pursuing a Filipino Cultural Centre.
The Vancouver Police put up a long barricade en route to the Italian Cultural Centre (ICC) – a glaring contrast to their absence in 2025. On the grass stretch by Slocan and 15th Avenue stood families of the victims holding placards, seeking accountability for donated recovery funds. With them stood MLA Elmore and community leaders Alda de Aza, Conception Colobong, Rose Jose, Liza Lucas, Myrna Ocampo, Antonio Ortega, and Lina Vargas, among others.
Conception “Ching” Colobong, a respected community leader for 44 years, resigned from the FBC Board of Directors about four months after the 2025 tragedy over concerns of transparency and accountability. “We were not informed about a lot of things,” she says. “We are here because we do not support Filipinos BC. They have not fulfilled their obligation to the victims. They have been receiving monies from United Way, whose mandate is to distribute the money in support of the victims.” On community support, she notes: “We have supported about 70 families through fundraising such as the Commemoration Dinner. At a Max’s dinner, United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC disbursed $100,000 to the victims.”
The ICC space accommodated a dozen food trucks, snack and merchandise tents, and a makeshift stage. What was lacking were the usual crowds. There were more press people and government officials than attendees, despite police presence.
In the brunch line, Lyle Jordan – Medix BC Chief of Operations – recalls the five-hour trauma care he and his team performed in 2025. Their truck had been positioned near the site at the 2025 organizers’ request, in accord with safety protocols for large-scale events. Nearby, the owner of a food truck that had lined 43rd Street in 2025 expressed solidarity – an Asian neighbour standing with the Filipino community.
Around 11:30 am, Councilor Alec Guerin of Musqueam roots formally welcomed participants to the ICC, situated on Musqueam territory. Messages to victims followed, led by FBC Director Celine Loriot and FBC Chair RJ Aquino, alongside officials including Don Davies, Niki Sharma, Adrian Dix, and Peter Fry.
Outside the fence near stage left, victims’ families raised placards and called out intermittently: “RJ! You’re a liar!” “Where is the money?” Two service contractors then began covering the fence with black cloth – an apparent silencing of the grieving crowd outside.
Morgan finds the placard-bearing victims and their families, disruptive and shields ICC from such disruption with a black cloth, April 19.
When I approached the first contractor – “Why are you covering the fence? This is a public event. Those people are the families of the victims” – a quick retort came: “I am Morgan. I don’t have to answer that question.” Pressed further, Morgan added, “Why not? They’re being disruptive.”
Morgan’s response, a microaggression of sorts, only highlights the wall of indifference to the victims’ call for justice and accountability. The black cloth contradicts what Aquino himself said of the event: “This is a way for everybody to gather and engage with each other and know that if you still need help, there’s help available.”
One anonymous food truck owner sums it up: “I did not know there were stories in this event. I saw the placards and the black cloth. I would not have joined. This is sad.” A number of performers and bands reportedly backed out the night before. The event had originally been slated for three days.
Around the corner stood Matthew Asuncion – the young Filipino who grabbed the hand brake of the ramming vehicle to a halt that tragic night of 2025. Asuncion finds healing in compiling a community recipe library – fish adobo, paksiw na bangus, his own Matt’s veggie-friendly kare-kare, pork asado – while also serving as Coordinator for an FBC program. Asked how he is compensated, Asuncion says: “I get paid through a combination of grants and funding from municipal agencies like Vancouver Foundation.”
Matthew Asuncion, who bravely stopped the car from killing more festival goers, heals by serving the communities on April 19.
This raises questions from concerned citizens about FBC officers and Executive Director Kristine Moser, reportedly receiving compensation from donations intended for victims. Aquino clarifies, “FBC board members receive no compensation. Staff compensation does not come from donations for victims. FBC’s endowment fund has received no money meant for victims. Of total UWBC allocations, around $400,000 has been earmarked for FBC – disbursed as needed, not as a lump sum. Funds go toward rent, mortgage, transportation, daycare, food, and medical supplies. FBC does not give direct cash – only gift cards and paid services, with paperwork in place. We also help people navigate ICBC, CVAP, and other systems they may not know they’re entitled to.”
On the victims’ protests outside the fence, Aquino says: “Everybody deals with grief in different ways. They are welcome to come in for good faith discussions in a respectful environment. It is unfortunate that they are on the receiving end of disinformation encouraged by some in our community.” Did FBC invite the families of the victims? “No. It’s an open event. We didn’t want to exploit their situation.” On communication, “We try to communicate via email, to ensure a proper paper trail. There are unanswered emails from FBC. We implore everybody who needs help to get in touch.”
The questions – and the silence – remain.
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Maria Veronica “Vernie” G. Caparas volunteers for the National Filipino-Canadian Cultural Centre – one of the four organizations aimed at building a Filipino Cultural Centre.
