April 1, 2024 — Filipino BC and the Sunset on Fraser Business Association will celebrate the Lapu-Lapu Day on April 27 with a multi-block street party on East 41st Avenue to East 48th Avenue in South Vancouver, BC.
In 2023, Vancouver-Kensington MLA Vancouver-Kensington Mable Elmore rose on the floor of Legislative Assembly to recall the legacy of Lapu-Lapu.
Elmore’s statement in the House was followed by an official B.C. government declaration proclaiming April 27, 2023 as the first Lapu-Lapu Day in the province.
Lapu-lapu is celebrated as the Indigenous Filipino warrior and chieftain who led the victory against Spanish colonizers in the Battle of Mactan in 1521.
In a media release, RJ Aquino, who chairs FilipinoBC, said, “The Lapu-Lapu Block Party represents a dynamic celebration of Filipino culture and a significant investment in South Vancouver, an area historically underserved in terms of cultural and social initiatives.”
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Executive Director Mimi Rennie added, “The Lapu-Lapu event is a great opportunity for everyone to share culture, celebrate diversity and inclusion, and connect as a community in South Vancouver. It is through our traditions and stories that reminds us of our roots.”
Vancouver City Councillor Christine Boyle supports the initiative: "We are so fortunate to get to celebrate the legacy of Indigenous Filipino hero Datu Lapu-Lapu at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival next month. The reframing South Vancouver work, and leadership from strong community members, are adding important social infrastructure across Vancouver and I’m so glad to get to support it.”
A palengke-style market, arts, musical performances, exhibits and food stalls are expected in this April 27 celebration. For more information, visit https://lapulapuday.com/.
About the Author
Rachel Ramos-Reid started writing for magazines and newspapers when she was still a junior at the University of the Philippines’ Communication degree program majoring in Journalism. She continued to write in a public relations/corporate communications capacity in various private and government offices until moving out of the country in 1997 to work as Programme Officer for the arts and culture branch of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO-SPAFA) in Bangkok, Thailand. At the end of her term, Rachel found herself immigrating to Canada in the year 2000 and again searching for new beginnings. Currently she is the Executive Assistant to a small rural college on Vancouver Island.
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