VANCOUVER (CCN) — Archbishop Richard Smith says the pain of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy is still being felt a year later, especially within Vancouver’s Filipino community, which continues to carry the wounds of that day.
He told The B.C. Catholic the April 26 anniversary is a time of remembrance, prayer, and solidarity with those most deeply affected. “In particular the Filipino faithful, who bring such vitality and devotion to our parishes and to the life of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. They’ve endured a great sorrow that makes this a story that touches the Catholic community in a profound way,” the Archbishop said.
The Archbishop noted that the response of the Filipino community over the past year has been a powerful witness of faith. “In the face of grief, we have seen a deep reliance on prayer, on the sacraments, and on the support of one another. Their resilience and faith have strengthened our entire local Church,” he said.
The April 26, 2025, vehicle-ramming attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival killed 11 people and injured many others in what became the deadliest attack in Vancouver’s history.
Across the Archdiocese of Vancouver, memorial Masses and community gatherings are being held to honour the victims. A memorial service led by Archbishop Smith will take place at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m.
A Tagalog Mass of remembrance is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Vancouver.
Just a few blocks from the site of the attack near 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, an April 10 memorial Mass at St. Andrew’s in East Vancouver brought about 150 people, including family members of victims and those injured in the attack.
Public officials who attended included B.C. Premier David Eby, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and Cloverdale—Langley City MP Tamara Jansen.
St. Andrew’s pastor Father Salvador “Jun” Reyes, who celebrated the Mass with Father Vicente Miguel Jr., said in his homily that during a visit to the Lapu Lapu memorial at Mountainview Cemetery, he was struck not only by the pain and sadness but by the love and unity expressed by visitors.
Among those present was AJ Sico, one of the survivors, who was brought into the church by family members. His injuries have left him unable to speak or walk, according to his mother, Jhosie Sico, who also lost her niece, Jendhel May Sico, in the attack.
Speakers following the Mass reflected on the scale of the tragedy. Mayor Ken Sim described April 26 as the “darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” while Premier David Eby called the attack “horrific.”
Community organizers noted that the one-year memorial marks an important transition in Filipino mourning traditions, moving from a period of grief toward healing, known as babang luksa, or the end of mourning.
Community-led events have complemented the Church’s response. Survivors and families gathered for a community dinner on April 12 at Fraserview Banquet Hall. Arcie Lim, president of the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC), said the gatherings are a sign of the strong community spirit offering “support and unity to the victims.”
The memorial Masses “will remind everyone that the victims and their families are not alone,” he said.
For many, the passage of time has not lessened the grief. Jonna De Guzman, who lost her daughter Jendhel Sico in the attack, described the year as surreal.
“My entire world was turned upside down when I lost my beloved daughter Jendhel. It’s very surreal that it haJs been almost a year, yet it feels like it just happened yesterday,” De Guzman said in a statement. The tragedy continues to affect her family deeply; Jendhel’s fiancé, Blaine Redlac, is still recovering from injuries, and her cousin Adrian Jonez (AJ) Sico now requires long-term supports.
Edna Dizon, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception, said she feels a heightened sense of fear and caution when attending festivals now. She noted that physical wounds serve as a constant reminder to the victims, and the pain of not going to see and be with loved ones you lost will always be there.
Church leaders recalled the first days after the tragedy and the profound need for spiritual accompaniment. At St. Francis de Sales in Burnaby, Father Mark McGuckin recalled a memorial and healing Mass held on May 5, 2025.
He said the aim wasn’t to try to provide easily acceptable answers to the reality of evil but to offer a place of refuge and warmth where people could “draw close to our Divine Physician while surrounded by caring hearts.”
Father McGuckin described his role as one of “helper” so Filipino community leaders like Father Gilbert Nunez, Father Dennis Flores, and Deacon Alvin Rint could look after the liturgy.
Rex Calderon, one of the memorial organizers, noted that the community “is still grieving until now.” He expressed hope that the incident serves as a “wake-up call for the authorities to instigate a more robust safety protocol for big-scale events.”
As for survivors still going through treatment and rehabilitation, he urged them “place their complete trust and reliance” in God.
Edna Dizon of Immaculate Conception Parish had a similar mesage for those still struggling, offering a prayer of spiritual surrender: “Pray, larn to let go of the pain and let God take care of everything.”
The devastation of those first days has yet to fade for her. “I was shocked that something like this happened in a community festival where families, young and old are present,” she told The B.C. Catholic, recalling how the tragedy unfolded through news reports.
Over the past year, she said, she encountered God most deeply in prayer and in the response of others.
“In prayer, spending time with Jesus in the Adoration chapel, and in people who came together to console, comfort and help the victims.”
She has also seen firsthand the lasting impact on those most affected.
“That in a split second everything can change in a person’s life, that life is precious and we should always cherish the people God has given us,” she said, pointing to the grief of those who lost “a friend, a wife, mother, father, sister.”
Some wounds, she added, may never fully heal.
“Physical wounds will always remind the victims of the tragedy and the pain of not going to see and be with loved ones you lost will always be there.”
As the community moves forward, Father McGuckin offered a final prayer for the journey ahead, asking that the victims rest in peace and “may all their loved ones here on earth continue to walk with Our Good Shepherd down the pilgrim road of hope and healing.”
