Opinion: As the Filipino Canadian community mourns, resilience can rest for now
In Tagalog, we have a phrase — “Ingat ka.” It’s uttered at the end of phone calls with our parents, typed at the end of text messages with our friends, and said over and over again when we try to leave a Filipino fam jam, only to be slowed down on the way out because a tita has more chismis (gossip) to share.
It means to “take care” or “be careful.” On Saturday, April 27, this phrase was probably expressed by loved ones of the thousands of Filipinos who attended the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver. Little did they know that a horrible act of violence would put this line to the test.
As of Monday, 11 people have been confirmed killed and dozens more injured. The victims are between the ages of five and 65.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
I grew up in Vancouver and attended many Filipino festivals with my family. As someone who left the Philippines at a young age, these community gatherings helped me have a connection with my homeland. I always looked forward to getting my fill of my favourite street foods like halo-halo and barbecue, and listening to the sweet sounds of Filipino kids singing with pipes like Whitney Houston.
These events are always so joyous and a prime example of how vibrant the Filipino culture is, which is why it’s so devastating that the massacre has stained the celebration.
I learned about it at 2 a.m. EDT after getting home from a birthday party in Toronto. I saw a follower on Instagram post a Filipino flag emoji with a broken heart, and the first thing I thought was “What happened in the Philippines?!” It’s a very privileged, first-world thought to have while living in Canada, a country that prides itself on safety and acceptance.
Slowly, I started to catch up on the terrifying details…
A missed call from my dad. I found out that my parents were planning to attend. They are both journalists and usually cover Filipino events, but thankfully, they decided to sit this one out.
Messages in a group chat with my childhood friends. One said they had just made it home safe from the Lapu Lapu Day festival, around two hours after the mass casualty.
One of my titas was in the area where it happened, just 15 minutes before the SUV drove through the crowd.
Someone’s son in my mom’s social circle had been working at a food truck and, unfortunately, witnessed the murders.
I anxiously combed through social media for updates from family, friends, and local Filipino businesses I follow in the community. I messaged friends to check if they were safe. Many planned on going, but ultimately decided not to.
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I’m so grateful that my friends and family came out unscathed. Others weren’t so lucky.
Fundraisers have been set up for victims, several of whom were visiting from the Philippines, whose bodies now have to be brought home.
The community rallied quickly, sharing mental health resources for those affected and organizing vigils in honour of those killed.
@filipino_bc/Instagram
In classic Filipino fashion, communities across Canada have shown up, sharing their condolences and support for their kababayan in Vancouver.
Filipinos are known for our resilience and ability to face tough times with a smile. However, right now, it’s okay for resilience to take a back seat to grief.
The impacts of this senseless act will be felt for generations. I know my community will make it through this tragedy, but for now, it’s okay if we can’t do it with a smile. I hope we allow ourselves to cry, to feel anger, and to mourn for as long as we need to.
In the meantime, ingat ka, Vancouver.
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