Vancouver artist painting mural dedicated to Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy victims

It’s been just over three months since the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival car-ramming attack that left 11 people dead and dozens more injured, and the healing process has only just begun.

As part of the Astro Arts Festival, taking place this weekend, Filipino-Canadian artist Mara Cortez is working on a mural dedicated to the tragedy’s victims.

“It’s dedicated to the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy,” said Cortez, showing CityNews the beginning of her wall depicting Mayari, the precolonial Tagalog moon goddess, guiding a boat, symbolizing the journey to the afterlife.

The Astro Arts festival celebrates the work of artists from Astro Studio in Mount Pleasant — and aims to fill the gap left when the popular Vancouver Mural Festival announced shutting down operations after nine years, citing financial challenges.

“We’re all part of the same community- and representation is incredibly important, and it makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself,” said festival co-founder Steffanie Love.

Cortez says the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy hit close to home.

“While I was making this concept, I had [images of] all the victims pulled up, and all the articles pulled up so I could be really intentional with this piece,” Cortez shared.

She says it will represent how the community continues to care for and watch over each other, even beyond death. And while the mural will honour the victims of the tragedy, it is also meant for everyone affected.

The suspect, 30-year-old Kai Ji Adam Lo, made an appearance in court Wednesday, but few details are known about it due to a publication ban.

Lo is facing 11 counts of second-degree murder, but whether or not he is fit for trial remains uncertain.

Cortez says she hopes to see the mural bring the Vancouver community closer.

“I’m going to have some spaces on the bottom here where hopefully kids can come and help paint the mural with me — and that can really help us feel connected.”

The Astro Arts Festival kicks off Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. with a viewing of more than 100 12″ by 12″ artworks from local talents.