May 10, 2025
Manitoba Government Announces Support for Victims of the Tragic Events Following the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver
The Manitoba government is matching donations to support the Filipino community in Vancouver following the tragic events at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival last month, Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy announced today.
“The Filipino community in Manitoba is praying for those who were killed or injured and for those directly affected by this horrific tragedy,” said Marcelino. “We appreciate the work of United Way BC, the first responders and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver for their tireless efforts to support the Filipino community in Vancouver.”
The Manitoba government is partnering with the Winnipeg Jewish community to raise awareness and launch a fundraising campaign supporting the Filipino community.
The province is matching donations up to $50,000 to support the United Way BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund, which was launched following the tragedy that claimed the lives of 11 people and injured 30. United Way BC is flowing funds to organizations like Kapwa Strong and Filipino B.C. to provide immediate assistance, counseling and trauma services, and other support as the community begins to heal.
“These funds can help to support the grieving families and those affected by the tragedy as they continue to process and begin to heal,” said Kennedy. “Manitoba values our Filipino community, some of whom care for our children, our elders and the sick. It’s our turn to care for them as they begin to rebuild following this tragedy.”
“The Filipino and Jewish communities in Manitoba have a long history of collaboration and pride in our heritage. Solidarity and mutual responsibility are core to our identity,” said Jeff Lieberman, president and CEO, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
"As soon as we learned of the tragic events, our community mobilized first in Vancouver and then through our national network to stand in solidarity with the Filipino community in their time of need,” said Gustavo Zentner, vice-president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. “Our communities are resilient, proud and grounded in shared values. Through our organizational expertise and structures for addressing community trauma and providing social services, we are proud to support this Manitoba government initiative to assist the Filipino community. We are family.”
Manitobans interested in supporting the Filipino community in B.C. can donate to the United Way Kapwa Strong Fund at https://uwbc.ca/filipino-bc/#donate, the Red Cross of Canada at www.redcross.ca/ or the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg at www.jewishvancouver.com/filipino-community-emergency-support-fund.
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