Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers

British Columbia is celebrating the start of this year's Filipino Heritage Month in a more sombre mood than usual.
The celebrations come a little over a month after the deadly attack on the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver that killed 11 people and injured scores of others.
Premier David Eby says while the province continues to grieve, the community coming together to heal demonstrates how ``strength in unity'' has enriched B-C's cultural fabric.
New Democrat legislative member Mable Elmore, who is of Filipino descent, says her community is healing and will emerge stronger from the tragedy.

Premier David Eby has released the following statement in celebration of Filipino Heritage Month:

“June is Filipino Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich history, vibrant culture and invaluable contributions of the Filipino community in British Columbia and beyond.

“This year, we hold this celebration alongside deep sorrow, under the backdrop of the tragic attack that took place at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. Our hearts continue to grieve with the Filipino community, and we are committed to supporting all those affected in every way we can.

“We have witnessed communities across British Columbia coming together to heal, lift each other up and show compassion. This strength in unity – ‘bayanihan’ – is at the heart of the Filipino spirit. It is defined by deep caring for one another and resilience in the face of hardship. These values have not only shaped the Filipino experience in B.C., but have also enriched the cultural fabric of our province’s history and culture over decades.

“The ‘kapwa’ represents a shared humanity in Filipino culture. This month, more than ever, let us honour the community by coming together, learning and working to create a more inclusive province for everyone.”