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Tragic Events at Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver

April 27, 2025

Dear TAC members , fellow Canadians , Vancouverites, and especially,  the Filipino community…

On behalf of the Trauma Association of Canada Board, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the families of those that have died in the senseless violence of the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver yesterday.  I also extend my gratitude to the first responders, EMS , VPS, and hospital personnel who worked diligently on this mass casualty incident, for their incredible work to keep others safe, and to care for the injured. It seems surreal that the theme of our recently concluded TAC conference was Mass Casualty Incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Vancouver today.

Festivals and block parties are supposed  to evoke warm memories of a community that is tight knit, social, neighbourly, and helpful to one another. Violence can shatter those perceptions and leave an indelible mark on those who witness it firsthand.  Vancouver has always been a stunning city – I lived there for several years during training. There is the real juxtaposition between the beauty of nature with the mountains and ocean and the grit of the urban realities such as homeless, drug problems, and violence. But, there is something resilient about a community and street that can celebrate with dancing, music, food and of course, joy.  Lapu Lapu was the chief of Mactan during the Spanish colonialization and proved his resistance against Ferdinand Magellan and the Spanish in the battle of Mactan. In a sense, he is celebrated as a being resilient and defiant. And, in spite of the violence that has occurred, the very community that has come together for the block party is an embodiment against the despair of this violence. It has reminded us of our ability as community to come together as people, neighbours and family.

Again, to all the members of the Vancouver community, our brothers and sisters in the Filipino community, our first responders and to our health care workers, we extend our condolences but also our gratitude for the resilience and determination of the Lapu Lapu spirit.

Regards,

Jagadish Rao BSc MSc MD FRCSC FACS

President , Trauma Association of Canada