Vancouver man who lost family in Lapu-Lapu attack created foundation in their name

“The grief and the pain, if anything, have shown me the amplified love I have for my parents and my sister,” said Alejandro Samper, founder of the Samper Caicedo Foundation.

In the shadow of unthinkable loss, Alejandro Samper is hoping to direct the pain he feels in his heart into a lasting legacy for his mother, Glitza Maria, father Daniel, and sister, Glitza Daniela — who were among the 11 people who lost their lives in the attack on the Lapu-Lapu festival in late April this year.

“Feeling the depths of pain is like feeling the depths of love that I have for them.”

“My dad loved travelling, he loved taking the family on vacations at least once a year, it was very important for him that we all went out as a family and shared time together.”

“It has shown me how short our life is, and how important it is to live it to the fullest because really we don’t know when our last day is here on this world.”

And while Samper doesn’t know when that day will come, he does know what his mission will be from now until his last.

With the creation of the Samper-Caicedo Legacy, Samper hopes to honour the memory of his loved ones by establishing an organization dedicated to making a meaningful, positive impact on the community through a series of events and workshops. 

“I think what maybe lacks in this community is more community, culture, more warmth,” he explained the purpose of the foundation.

“Inspiring others to find their creative expression, could be music, art, sports, that’s what we are fostering and trying to do.”

Naturally, as the criminal case over the Lapu-Lapu day attack moves through the courts, Samper is following it closely.  But does not want to be consumed by it.

“I am not giving it energy to destroy my peace.”