Dozens of Edmonton’s Filipino community bring flowers, candles, and tears over Lapu Lapu Day attack

Silence was loud at Churchill Square on Wednesday. Dozens of the Filipino community came out wearing black, and laying candles and flowers to remember the people killed during last weekend’s Lapu Lapu Day attack in Vancouver.

Lapu Lapu Day was meant to be a celebration of culture. Many people here heard about the attack and felt shocked and devastated.

Abby Ulanimo says she’s still friends with someone who once lived in Edmonton, was hurt in the attack, and is now recovering in the hospital.

“Our community is so strong and we still keep in touch. As soon as a lot of the community members here heard about what happened… it hit us even harder.” “It just brought everything closer to home because you never really expect something like this to happen,” said Ulanimo.

Giselle General is another member of the Filipino community. When she laid her flowers during the vigil, she quietly sang a song she’s known since  

“I remember growing up in the Philippines, in every wake, every funeral, we would sing it. Paglisan, the title literally means ‘Departure’. But the lyrics really talk about how when your loved ones depart, and what you want to give to them in their next afterlifes, it’s the love that you have for these loved ones who have departed,” said General

There are still more than a dozen people in Vancouver hospitals. More than half are reported to be in critical condition.

In the days and weeks that follow, those here in a neighbouring province will still be supporting each other and healing.