Apl.de.ap and Jo Koy Express Grief Over Vancouver Festival Tragedy
APL.DE.AP and JO KOY – The Filipino-American rapper and comedian expressed their shock and sorrow following a tragic car ramming attack at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver, Canada, which claimed 11 lives.
Apl.de.ap, a member of the Black Eyed Peas, shared that he had just finished performing at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver’s Sunset on Fraser neighborhood and was still in the area when the incident occurred. He described the emotional weight the attack had on him and his bandmate, J Rey Soul, offering heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. Apl also thanked everyone who reached out and urged others to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers.
Comedian Jo Koy also expressed his heartbreak, emphasizing that the festival, which was meant to celebrate Filipino culture, had turned into a scene of mourning. He sent his deepest sympathy to everyone affected by the tragedy. The attack, which involved an SUV crashing into the crowd, occurred during a festival commemorating Filipino anti-colonial leader Lapu Lapu.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene, with children injured and people lying in the street as emergency responders worked to assist the victims. One eyewitness recalled seeing a woman with a broken leg, while another described the overwhelming sight of multiple bodies on the ground.
The driver of the vehicle, a 30-year-old Vancouver man with a history of mental health issues, was arrested by authorities. While the Canadian government has not confirmed the nationality of the victims, the Philippine Consul General stated there is a high likelihood that many of the victims were Filipino. In response, the Philippine government offered assistance, including repatriation and financial support for any Filipino nationals who were injured.
The Lapu Lapu Day Festival, organized by a Cebuano association, was originally scheduled for April 27 but was moved a day earlier to avoid conflicting with a marathon event. As the community mourns, Filipino officials continue to offer their support during this challenging time.
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