Thank you so much. 🙏🏽 We need allies more than ever.

Don’t let this slip by without acknowledging it, to those around you. 

This is affecting me also. I am sad and wish this hadn't happened. A huge embrace to everyone affected by this tragedy. I see you. You are not alone.

#API #mentalhealth #Filipino #LapuLapu 🇵🇭

When we had attack upon attack during the peak anti-Asian racism period, I facilitated emergency dialogues and participated in community gatherings to support those around us. Consider what your colleagues and friends need at this time, so they can turn to those who can offer healing. ❤️‍🩹 8/

The news has now made international headlines. What will it teach us??
May is API Heritage Month.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.
Those around you may be affected by this and may not feel they want to celebrate their cultures, but may feel they want to grieve or be in silence instead. 7/

It was not deemed a racially-based incident or a hate crime, but one related to mental health of an unstable individual known to police. I’m sickened and sad about the failure of mental health systems working together with law enforcement, that could have prevented this tragedy. 6/

I didn’t lose anyone directly, but the death, pain, injuries - could have been any one of us, and we feel that. It was a sunny and happy day, that was supposed to bring together community. Instead, we are left with loss and shock. 5/

In fact, I was at another Filipino festival that was happening in Los Angeles on the SAME day. My friend who lives nearby in Vancouver heard the emergency response vehicle sirens and was just in the area hours before. My other friend’s niece was supposed to go but didn’t. 4/

I’m feeling a mix of sorrow and anger, and survivor’s guilt. 😞 It’s not lost on me that if I was in Vancouver visiting my parents this week instead of last week for my children’s spring break - I likely would have been at that very festival with my family. 3/

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, a 30 year old male driver rammed into the Lapu Lapu Filipino cultural festival, killing 11 people and injuring others. Of the injured, the ages are reportedly from a child as young as 5 years old, to adults and seniors. 2/

Thank you for saying this! There isn’t only one way to deal with the current time. Also - some of us have more privilege than others to act openly. Others are at risk. We’ve got to understand that.

We are absolutely living in a nightmare - being detained and shackled while on holiday. What has this country come to!

This is heartening to read! The internment of Japanese Americans was not long ago. We need to learn from history about why resistance is so important!

This conversation is very timely indeed. Thank you for having me!

Happy to be here, eager to keep the conversation going with you!

Fantastic to be here!