Kamloops Filipino Canadian says community ‘shaken to its core’ by festival tragedy

Kamloops resident Dylan Pushak was in the Philippines with his family when a horrific and deadly crime took place at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival.

A 30-year-old man drove a black SUV into a crowd at East 43 Avenue and Fraser Street on Saturday killing several festival goers and injuring many more.

Pushak, 24, was born and raised in Delta and later in Kamloops. He’s currently on one of his regular visits to the Philippines to see his relatives who watched the tragedy unfold from afar. 

“My family and I were very heavy hearted to discover the news,” Pushak told iNFOnews.ca. “I was checking in with countless friends in Vancouver who were or may have been attending. To say I’m grateful those friends that did attend are live and well would be an understatement.”

Pushak went through social media looking for more information on what happened and found hundreds of comments blaming immigration for the tragedy. He made a video to address the comments and remind viewers that Lapu Lapu Day is a cultural event.

“It would be hypocritical to blame immigration for an attack that affects immigrants,” he said. “People are so quick to blame an entire community that it turns these victims into scapegoats rather than human beings who were simply there to celebrate joy, culture and heritage.” 

Lapu Lapu Day video by Dylan Pushak

The Lapu Lapu Day Festival is an annual celebration of Filipino heritage that honours 16th century Filipino hero Datu Lapulapu.

“He was a chieftain in the Philippines who resisted Spanish Colonization by defeating Ferdinand Magellan in back in 1521,” Pushak said. “When we celebrate Lapu Lapu Day we’re honouring the spirit of resistance, independence and cultural pride.”

The spirit of bayanihan is a deep-rooted Filipino value that means community unity and helping one another without expecting anything in return. It’s symbolized by neighbours carrying a house on their shoulders to help a family move.

“It represents how we show up for each other in times of need, how we lift each other up, especially during hardship or tragedy,” Pushak said. “In moments like this, after something painful has shaken our community, bayanihan is exactly what we need.”

Filipinos often call fellow Filipinos “kuya” or “tita” meaning brother and auntie respectively even when they’re not related, an example of how the community operates like a family.

The suspect in the deadly incident is known to police and was taken under arrest, but the motive behind the gruesome act is unclear.

“I don’t want to speculate on the exact motive until authorities confirm it, we’re still learning more as we go,” Pushak said. “What I can say is that no cause, be it political, personal or otherwise can justify violence against innocent people.

“When something like this happens at a cultural event meant to bring people together it sends shockwaves through an entire community. We need the truth, not assumptions, and above all, we need compassion.”

The suspect, Adam Kai-Ji Lo was under the care of the Vancouver Coastal Health care team for mental health issues when he committed the act that killed 11 and injured dozens more. Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder so far with more charges expected.

A candlelight vigil organized by the Okanagan Filipino community is scheduled tonight in Kelowna, according to media release by the OCCA Communities Association issued today, April 29.

“This tragedy has shaken our community to its core,” Okanagan Filipino Canadian Society president Bella Mockford said in a media release. “As immigrants, we have built our lives and our community here in Canada, and we are deeply thankful for the support and solidarity we have received from the wider community in the wake of this tragedy. We hope that by coming together, we can honour the lives of our fellow community and family members who have been affected.”

The vigil takes place at 6:30 p.m. today, April 29, at Bee Lee Park at 900 Houghton Road in Kelowna.

— With files from The Canadian Press

— This article was corrected at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025 to clarify Pushak’s family situation.