Making Sense of the Senseless

When the world tries to break us down, we hold each other up.

Isang Bagsak, by @lexlaunastudio, April 27,2025. Used with permission from the artist. Learn more about the artist here.

I have no words for what happened in Vancouver.

Here’s what we know: at least 11 of our kababayan were killed at Vancouver’s annual Lapu Lapu Day block party the day when we celebrate a Philippine national hero who stood up to Spanish colonization. They showed up to share food, crafts, and music. They showed up to be together.

Any one of us could have been in that crowd.

To be Filipino is to show up for each other. For generations, we have built our community out of nothing but love and memory. We are all connected through kapwa: your life and mine are tied together. What touches one of us touches all of us.

And right now, we’re all feeling it.

We can’t make sense of the senseless, but we can be here for each other.

Our hearts are wi…