Every April, Filipino Food Month invites us to rediscover the flavors that shaped a nation. Filipino cuisine carries centuries of layered history. From kinilaw in Mindanao to pancit habhab in Quezon, food becomes a language—of memory, of culture, of pride.
But this year, the joy turned to grief. On April 27, a pickup truck plowed into a Filipino community event in Vancouver. Eleven people were killed. Dozens were injured. A celebration of culture ended in chaos and mourning.
Celebrating Filipino Culinary Heritage
Filipino Food Month was launched in 2018 through a presidential proclamation to celebrate the country’s diverse culinary heritage. It’s a joint effort by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, the Filipino food movement and other cultural bodies. Events throughout April feature local food festivals, regional cooking competitions, and educational programs on heirloom recipes and indigenous ingredients.
The Vancouver Incident
In Canada, where Filipino food is growing in popularity, communities hosted themed gatherings and pop-up food fairs. One such event in East Vancouver turned tragic when a driver intentionally rammed his vehicle into a crowded street corner. The victims included vendors, elderly attendees, and festival-goers.
The suspect, 27-year-old James Garrett, was arrested at the scene. Witnesses say he accelerated toward the crowd without warning. Police tackled and restrained him within minutes. He faces multiple charges, including eleven counts of second-degree murder and several counts of attempted murder.
Filipinos in Canada: A Grieving Community
There are over 960,000 Filipinos living in Canada, making them one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing immigrant groups. In Metro Vancouver alone, more than 160,000 residents are of Filipino descent. Many work in essential services—healthcare, caregiving, food—and contribute deeply to Canadian society.
That’s why the attack struck such a painful chord. The community had gathered not just to eat, but to celebrate what binds them. Food was the centerpiece, but it was really about family, resilience, and identity.
Authorities have ruled out terrorism for now, saying there’s no evidence of ideological motives. Instead, early investigations suggest Garrett may have had a history of mental illness and prior brushes with law enforcement. A motive is still under review, though officials have confirmed that the attack does not appear to specifically target Filipinos as an ethnic group.
