Vancouver Filipino festival musicians speak out after driver plowed SUV into crowd, killing several on Lapu Lapu Day

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The musicians who acted at the Filipino Festival in Vancouver on Saturday spoke about the “horrible tragedy” when a 30 -year -old driver supposedly went through the crowd, killing several people.

The Native of Vancouver, Kaya Ko, initiated the performances of the main stage of Lapu Lapu Day, just before the 1 PM on Saturday, seven hours before the deadly incident shook the Canadian city.

“I am sending all my love and prayers to the affected families. My heart is broken,” the artist wrote in her Instagram history. “How can we unite as a community after this … a lot to process? Send your prayers.

The artist Kaya Ko speaks in an Instagram story published hours before the deadly incident of Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. Kaya Ko/Instagram

Kaya Ko, whose name means “I can” in Tagalog, described the deadly event as a “massacre” that affected many people in the Philippine community.

“This was not an accident. This was a massacre,” added the vocalist. “I am lost by words. Praying so that everyone takes care and praying for souls, living tasks and families affected by this terrible crime.”

A 30 -year -old male driver led a black SUV to EAST 43rd Street and Fraser Street, where food truck vendors were cleaning after the party ended in the block.

The driver, identified as a Vancouver man, hit the crowd of the festival is understood in the area, killing several and hurting many others, said Vancouver’s interim chief Steve Rai.

RAI did not provide the exact number of deaths or injured, saying that it would be “an unfair to speculate.”

The singer Nikkaela acts on the stage her set at the Lapu Lapu Day Block party. Nikkaela/Instagram
A police officer is located on Fraser Street near the site of the deadly incident in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. Reuters

R&B singer Nikkaela Tok the main stage of the festival after Kaya Ko.

“I am outraged and speechless. People who were in Lapu lapu, I hope you are safe and that you are well and well. Praying for all those affected by this and praying for you with my whale heart.”

The block party, in its second year, brought together Filipino and Canadian artists for the festival held by the Filipino Lapu-Lapu hero.

He was headed by the founding member of Black Eyed Peas Appl.de.ap and J Rey Soul.

The first to respond work near an ambulance. Reuters
A victim is covered by a fabric near a food truck on Vancouver street where the incident occurred. Reuters

The singer born in Nigeria, Sade Awele, was the fourth musical act that acted just after 3 pm

“I am lost by the words because this was such a beautiful celebration of the Filipina culture and brought together the community of Vancouver in a very special way. The bone of tears since I learned,” he wrote.

“For my Filipino friends, let me know how I can support this time. Only in shock,” Awele added.

The singer Wavyfay recalled the “vibrant cheerful atmosphere” that experienced her own performance and said that the memory was “stained at the hands of another human being.”

The organizers of the festival reacted to violence without confirming more details that the police caused.

The new leader of the Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, speaks with the crowd from the stage at Lapu Lapu Day Block Party hours before the incident. Reuters
Vancouver police officers investigate and photograph the deadly scene on Saturday night. Reuters

“For our community, we are still finding the words to express the deep hearing aid caused by this sensitive tragedy. We are devastated by families and victims,” ​​Filipino BC, the group that put the festival, written on Instagram.

Hip Hop Talilo artist and the heads J Rey Soul and the founding member of Black Eyed Peas Aprac.de.ap have not reacted to the fatal incident.

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