Vancouver Archbishop Richard Smith says the pain of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy is still being felt a year later, especially within Vancouver’s Filipino community, which continues to carry the wounds of that day.

He told The B.C. Catholic the April 26 anniversary is a time of remembrance, prayer and solidarity with those most deeply affected. 

“In particular the Filipino faithful, who bring such vitality and devotion to our parishes and to the life of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. They’ve endured a great sorrow that makes this a story that touches the Catholic community in a profound way,” Smith said.

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He noted that the response of the Filipino community over the past year has been a powerful witness of faith. 

“In the face of grief, we have seen a deep reliance on prayer, on the sacraments and on the support of one another. Their resilience and faith have strengthened our entire local Church,” he said.

The April 26, 2025, vehicle-ramming attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival killed 11 people and injured many others in what became the deadliest attack in Vancouver’s history.

Across the Archdiocese of Vancouver, memorial Masses and community gatherings were held to honour the victims, including a memorial service led by Smith at Holy Rosary Cathedral on April 29.

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A Tagalog Mass of remembrance took place April 26 at St. Mary’s Church in Vancouver.

An April 10 memorial Mass at St. Andrew’s in East Vancouver brought about 150 people, including family members of victims and those injured in the attack. Fr. Salvador “Jun” Reyes, who celebrated the Mass with Fr. Vicente Miguel Jr., said in his homily that during a visit to the Lapu-Lapu memorial at Mountainview Cemetery, he was struck not only by the pain and sadness but by the love and unity expressed by visitors.

Among those present was AJ Sico, one of the survivors, who was brought into the church by family members. His injuries have left him unable to speak or walk, according to his mother, Jhosie Sico, who also lost her niece, Jendhel May Sico, in the attack. 

Community organizers noted that the one-year memorial marks an important transition in Filipino mourning traditions, moving from a period of grief toward healing, known as babang luksa, or the end of mourning.

For many, the passage of time has not lessened the grief. Jonna De Guzman, who lost her daughter Jendhel Sico in the attack, described the year as surreal.

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“My entire world was turned upside down when I lost my beloved daughter Jendhel. It’s very surreal that it has been almost a year, yet it feels like it just happened yesterday,” De Guzman said in a statement. 

The tragedy continues to affect her family deeply; Jendhel’s fiancé, Blaine Redlac, is still recovering from injuries, and cousin AJ Sico now requires long-term supports.