“Present an option for people to pay their respects”—Permanent memorial for Lapu-Lapu Day victims in talks

There are talks to set up a permanent memorial for the Lapu-Lapu Day victims.

RJ Aquino, chair of Filipino B.C., stated the necessity of establishing a lasting memorial.

He said initial discussions are in progress with both the city and the school board to identify a suitable site, emphasizing the importance of a respectful and thoughtful approach to its creation.

“There are these temporary memorials, and I have seen strangers leave as friends because they were able to find common ground in their grief with other people there,” he continues in an interview with 1130 NewsRadio.

Thousands of flowers, candles, and messages of condolence now line the fence of a Vancouver secondary school near the site of the tragic event. RJ Aquino indicated that there are currently no intentions to dismantle the temporary memorial, which has been expanding each day.

“It is part of the healing process for people to visit the site, to reflect, and to have a quiet moment to themselves,” he says. “So many people are still making their way out there that have not been there before and want to pay their respects.”

Vancouver school board trustee Preeti Faridikot announced her plan to propose a motion at next month’s board meeting for a permanent memorial to be located adjacent to the school.

Faridikot emphasized she is not going to rush the motion, acknowledging that many people are still grieving. She stressed the need to proceed with “care, dignity, and cultural sensitivity.”

At the end of the interview, Aquino said, “We want to make sure that we present an option for people to pay their respects to those who lost their lives there.”

Fundraising efforts from different organizations are growing to support those affected by the tragedy.