After Lapu-Lapu: Grief and resilience in the Filipino diaspora

On April 26, a violent attack took place at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver — an event meant to honour Filipino heritage and community. At least 11 people were killed, and many others injured. In the days since, members of the Filipino community in Canada and their allies have been coming together to grieve, reflect, and support one another through this difficult time.

This week on rabble radio, labour reporter Gabriela Calugay-Casuga spoke with Zuha Zubair from Migrante Ottawa to reflect on the recent Lapu Lapu Day tragedy in Vancouver, and to shed light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by Filipino migrants in Canada.

About our guest 

Zuha Zubair is a Filipino and a community organizer with Migrante Ottawa, a chapter of an international migrants organization fighting for national liberation and genuine democracy in the Philippines. Zubair was born in the Maldives to parents who were overseas Filipino workers, known as OFWs. She came to Canada in 2019 as an international student and is currently pursuing a masters’ degree in anthropology. Zubair’s research focuses on overseas Filipino workers and the political connections they have to the Philippines.

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