Ancestors to Angels

April 26, 2025. Vancouver, BC | The Lapu Lapu Festival Tragedy

The Filipino community has endured tragedy before, but in the aftermath of the Lapu Lapu Day attack, we felt a new kind of collective trauma. We brought our kids to visit the memorial the next day and laid flowers. This is my offering–a way to grieve, reflect, and honour those impacted. A candle lit in words. May it hold space for those who are hurting. May it remind us that we are not alone. And may we all find strength in our sorrow.

If you or anyone you know needs support, reach out for help.
Victim Services are available 24/7 for those who witnessed or experienced trauma.

  • Call or text: 1-800-563-0808 or email: 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca

  • Mental Health Line at 310-6789

  • BC Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433

 
View fullsize
View fullsize Snapshots from Baguio, Benguet Province Philippines. February 1, 2025. We decided to make a day trip to Baguio during the middle of our stay in Pangasinan. Our one day in Baguio started at 4:00AM. It was recommended by our driver Herbert that we
View fullsize Snapshots from the Province of Pangasinan, Philippines. January 30–February 3, 2025. This part of our trip wasn’t about sightseeing. Instead, we spent most of our short stay in the barangay of Malasin, municipality of Pozzorubio, on the
View fullsize Snapshots of Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines. January 28–30, 2025. We almost didn’t make it to the city of Tagaytay, which sits on a mountain ridge in the province of Cavite. It wasn’t on our original travel plans, but when @denise_
View fullsize Snapshots of Bulacan province, Philippines. January 24-27, 2025. We stayed in the town of Angat, where @denise_val’s dad grew up. Our kids call him “Tatay” and they were able to visit the street he grew up on, and the piggery his
View fullsize Manila January 2024. Late post but what are you gonna do? We’ve been busy. In no particular order: Tired arrival at our hotel; Intramuros. Mall of Asia. Biodome. By the Bay. #Philippines #Travel #intramuros #philippinebiodome
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize