When Patricia Naguiat first heard of the shocking tragedy at the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival, she felt disconnected from the Filipino community.
On April 26, people in Vancouver were celebrating the Filipino-Canadian community at the festival when someone driving an SUV rammed into the crowds, killing 11 people and injuring dozens of others. A suspect has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder.
Originally from Vancouver, Naguiat now lives in the Alberni Valley. Her colleague, Claire Boudreau, saw that Naguiat was struggling, and offered to help set up a vigil in Port Alberni. On Monday, May 12, a small group of Filipino-Canadian people and supporters gathered at John Douglas Park (formerly Canal Beach) to share their thoughts and light candles for a moment of silence.
"I did feel a little bit of the loss," Naguiat said, even though she did not know anyone personally who was involved.
Naguiat, a writer, shared some poems she wrote, including one right after the Lapu Lapu tragedy. "It means a lot to me to be able to share these words," she said.
Candles were lit despite the strong breeze at the park, and Naguiat read out the names of the 11 people who died in the tragedy. A mourner shared a custom she learned, where people pick up a rock, think about their grief and symbolically 'transfer' the grief to the rock. They lined up along the beach at the edge of the Alberni Inlet and tossed their rocks into the water just as the sun was setting.
Josh Dahling of Lumara Grief and Bereavement Society from Parksville attended the vigil. "It's amazing to me the ripple effect such tragedies can have across the community," he said. "I'm here to support."
Dahling said vigils such as Naguiat's can be triggering for some. He recommended getting in touch with his office at lumarasociety.org or approach Kuu-us Crisis Line right in Port Alberni. Call 250-723-2323 (office) or go online to https://kuu-uscrisisline.com/resources.
