The Filipino community in Vancouver is mourning following a car-ramming attack over the weekend that left 11 people dead and 20 others injured during the Lapu-Lapu Festival.

Several Filipinos in Canada recalled the terrifying moments before and after the attack, expressing their grief and disbelief.

Ramon Lavin, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and coffee shop manager in Vancouver, was among those who witnessed the incident.

Speaking in a Zoom interview, Lavin said the festive atmosphere turned into chaos within moments.

“Tapos bigla 'yung saya ng Pilipino, sobrang saya tapos bigla gano'n mangyayari. Na-shock kami. We want answers, ano ba ang nangyari,” Lavin said.

According to Lavin, he and his companions were lining up to buy food when the chaos erupted.

“Sabi ko nagugutom kami dahil hindi kami nakalabas sa concert. Nung nakapila na kami, ang daming taong naglalakad doon. Nanggaling 'yung ingay sa Fraser street, 'yung sasakyan narinig namin sa likod. Akala namin sounds lang na pumuputok ganun, pero nagtatakbuhan na ang mga tao tapos nagkagulo na nagsisigawan na, natataranta na kami hindi na namin alam ano gagawin namin,” he recalled.

Lavin admitted he finds it difficult to return to work, as his coffee shop is located directly across from the scene of the tragedy.

“Masakit kasi 'yung trabaho ko nandoon lang, palagi mo matatanaw 'yan, tawid lang. Sabi ko kumusta kaya 'yung mga customer kong Filipino... It was so fast. Nagtatakbuhan na. Nagtago kami, nagkakasigawan na. Imagine 'yung sasakyan hihinto ka ano nangyari, sarado dapat 'yung daan doon. bakit may sasakyan na nandoon,” he said.

Another OFW, Romeo Vasquez, shared that he had left the area just minutes before the attack occurred.

“Hanggang ngayon tumataas pa rin ang balahibo ko. Fifteen minutes bago nangyari 'yun, nandoon ako sa street na 'yon naghahanap ng open na food truck. Buti nagsara at naubusan, kundi nandoon ako nakapila,” he said.

“Nagsidagsaan na po ang mga pulis. Ang alam po namin, minor accident lang 'yung mga nangyayari doon. Nung nag-send na po ang mga kaibigan namin ng picture, grabe na po talaga 'yung nangyari tapos hindi makalapit kasi marami nang barikada ng mga pulis,” he added.

Ting Caturla, a board member of the Pinoy Festival Alliance Society and advocate for community engagement and Filipino empowerment, described the aftermath as a scene of horror.

“It was a picture of trauma. People were wailing, hugging each other, trying to save those who were hurt, but feeling helpless,”  Caturla said.

Flower offerings, prayer vigils, and other tributes have been organized in honor of the victims. 

“Parang itong event na ito, 'yung Lapu-Lapu [festival]... Si Lapu-Lapu is simbolo ng katapangan, huwag tayo magpadaig sa takot. We fight by getting up at sama-sama tayong harapin ito. May memorial, maraming kanya-kanyang gumagawa ng Go Fund Me... 'yung embassy, very supportive,” Caturla said, adding that churches of various denominations have offered vigil services.

GoFundMe campaigns were also launched to help victims and their families.

One such fundraising effort supports a man and his two-year-old son, both critically injured in the attack. 

Families of the victims have requested privacy at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that a 30-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with eight counts of murder.

As investigations continue, the Filipino community and the city of Vancouver remain united in grief, hoping for healing and justice.