Greater Victoria Filipino community in mourning following Lapu Lapu Festival attack

A vigil sits on the front steps of the B.C. legislature building for the victims of the Lapu Lapu Festival attack

The Filipino community on Southern Vancouver Island is mourning after the horrific attack on Saturday night in Vancouver at the Lapu Lapu Filipino Festival.

An SUV plowed through a pedestrian-packed street, injuring dozens and killing 11. The oldest victim was 65 while the youngest was just five years old.

Melissa Badua, president of the Bayanihan Cultural Housing Society, says everyone in her community is feeling overwhelmed.

“The community is definitely in shock, and they can’t believe what happened,” said Badua.

On Sunday, people began dropping off flowers at the Bayanihan Cultural Community Centre in downtown Victoria, many offering their support and condolences to the tight-knit Filipino community.

“What we are hoping for is to collect funds to help the victims and their families,” said Badua. “We just really want to help out and give back.”

Mike Caparas, president of the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association, was at Lapu Lapu Festival on Saturday but left just one hour before the tragedy unfolded. Once he found out what had happened, he called the festival’s organizers immediately.

“We asked the community if there was anything we could do to help to support them,” said Caparas.

On the front steps of the B.C. legislature building, more than 150 people gathered for a vigil on Sunday night, remembering those that were victims of the heinous attack.

Jerika Caduhada is a member of a grassroots youth organization in Victoria called Anakbayan Victoria. That group has a long history of supporting the Filipino community and organized Sunday’s vigil.

“Last night was something that I think our community really needed,” said Caduhada. “I think it’s something that we’re going to be grieving for a long time.”

On Monday the vigil still sat on those steps as a place for people to come to grieve, trying to get their heads around the senseless crime that has rocked the province, the country and the Filipino community as a whole.

“It’s heartbreaking to have what was so celebratory lead to so much loss,” said Caduhada.

To make a donation, people can drop off a cheque at the Bayanihan Cultural Community Centre in downtown Victoria during regular business hours.