Tragedy struck Vancouver last week, on Saturday, after a car rammed into the crowd celebrating the Filipino culture during the Lapu-Lapu Day. The horrible incident saw 11 people dead. Meanwhile, many others were left seriously injured. In times like these, it’s important to give strength to those affected and the ones who are no longer out there. Leylah Fernandez, a WTA pro and Canadian player, who’s currently competing at the Catalonian Open, couldn’t resist expressing condolences toward the families of the victims. She paid her condolences to them with an emotional message on social media.
The Lapu-Lapu festival is celebrated mostly in the central Philippines and honors Datu Lapu-Lapu. He famously beat Spanish forces, led by Ferdinand Magellan, in the Battle of Mactan in 1521. After the war, Datu turned into a national hero. When it comes to the annual celebration in Vancouver, the festivities include a multi-block street party in the Sunset neighborhood. It features Filipino food, live performances, and cultural activities. Back in 2023, the government of British Columbia officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day. It was done in acknowledgement of the Filipino-Canadian community’s cultural contributions.
On Saturday, the party was about to wrap up. At that moment, many people were still on the streets. Suddenly, a dark SUV came out of nowhere and rammed into the crowd, as reported by Reuters on April 28. “We pray that our community remains strong and resilient imbued with the spirit of bayanihan (community spirit) during this difficult time,” said the Philippine consulate in Vancouver in a statement. Days after the tragic incident, Leylah Fernandez, who proudly carries her Filipino heritage alongside Canadian nationality, has also paid her tribute.
On April 29, the Canadian pro shared a post with a message and her video on Instagram. “My heart is with all of you”, read the caption. Her message read: “I am absolutely devastated to hear about the death of fellow Canadian-Filipinos at the Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver this weekend.” Praying for those affected, she added, “My thoughts go to the victims of this horrific incident, their families, and their communities.”
Back in 2021, too, Leylah Fernandez‘s heart-touching gestures came to light at the US Open. While she lost the trophy in a tense clash with British qualifier and young sensation Emma Raducanu, she still won the hearts at the Flushing Meadows. The final, played on September 11, marked twenty years of the 9/11 tragedy. And Fernandez, then 19, couldn’t help but share her sentiments.
“I just want to say that I hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been the last 20 years. Thank you for always having my back. Thank you for cheering for me. I love you, New York.” reported the New York Times in October 2021.
Meanwhile, other sports persons have also come forward to pay tributes to the victims of the Vancouver incident. Such as the Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane. He took to social media and penned an emotional message.
NHL’s Evander Kane pays tribute to victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day incident in Vancouver
Evander Kane is a Vancouver native and competes for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team is based in Edmonton, Canada. On Monday, it registered a crucial victory in the league, over the Los Angeles Kings. However, more than the feeling of winning, Oilers’ Kane was feeling for those affected during the Lapu-Lapu Day incident.
Paying his tribute, Kane took to his Instagram and shared a message. “I am heartbroken by the beyond devastating tragedy that took place at the Lapu Lapu Festival in the Sunset community of Vancouver last evening.”
Continuing further, he added, “Sunset community is where I grew up, the Filipino community are some of the kindest people. My most sincere condolences to the victims and their families. My heart goes out to everyone impacted by this disgusting act. What a tragedy.”
Being someone who’s been a part of the community involved in the festival, one can understand how disturbing this experience must be for Kane. At this point, one can only keep praying for all the victims’ families in Vancouver. May they get the much-needed strength amidst this difficult phase.
The post Canadian-Filipino WTA Star Left ‘Absolutely Devastated’ After 11 Killed in Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day Attack appeared first on EssentiallySports.
