Pagbangon Benefit Concert + Suspect Arrested

Issue #269

Author

Carla McNeil
June 21, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

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 🗞️ New West Local News - Pagbangon Benefit Concert + Suspect Arrested

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 24.2 2015, 2024 - Record low 9.2 2014

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June 21, 2025

📰 Shred A Thon – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 National Indigenous People’s Day – 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

⛪️ FÊTE DE LA SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM

🍅 Ask-A-Dietician – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

👕 Clothing swap ( event by donation) – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

📖 Ukrainian Storytime (All ages) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth – (For youth ages 13 - 18) 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🥍 Salmonbellies vs Timbermen – 5:00 PM @ Frank Crane Arena

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

💃 Electric Ballroom – RedBar Lounge @ Starlight Casino

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

June 22, 2025

🧘 Free Guided Meditation Session by Heartfulness – 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

🚲️ Cap's Flat Repair Clinic – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

🤸‍♀️ Women's Health and Fitness – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

🎉 Festa de Junina at Rainbow Play Cafe! – 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🎭️ The Chocolate Factory – 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM @ Massey Theatre

🍻 SO 11: Steal and Oak Anniversary Party – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

⛸️ Public Skate – 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM

 🐂 Purpose High School: Mechanical Bull - Bullys - 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🧘 Meditation Class – 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM

 🥍 Junior Women’s Salmonbellies vs Burrards - Queens Park Arena - 4:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🏈 Sunday and Monday Night Football – at the Terminal Pub

June 23, 2025

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak – Starts at 5:00 PM

🏈 Hyack Youth Football Free Try-it Days – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

In the aftermath of the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy, our community continues to carry the weight of grief and unanswered questions. But even in sorrow, there’s strength in unity—and healing often begins with something as simple as being together.

That’s the heart behind Pagbangon, a special evening of reflection, music, and community connection. Named after the Filipino word for rising after adversity, this event invites us to pause, breathe, and lean on one another as we begin to move forward.

Held on June 26, 2025, at the Fraser River Middle School Multipurpose Room in New Westminster, Pagbangon offers more than just a concert—it’s a space to reconnect with hope.

The evening opens at 6:00 PM with a welcoming mixer hosted by DJ Ava Nicole, setting the tone with uplifting sounds and space to mingle with friends, neighbors, and local vendors. As the night unfolds, live performances from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM will fill the room with soul and spirit. Enjoy the smooth jazz stylings of the Cassey Razon Quintet, heartfelt R&B from Jon Müller, and the bright energy of indie pop/rock band LEAN.

For those seeking grounding and emotional connection, Registered Counsellor Ben Castro will guide a meaningful session of poetry and reflection—a quiet moment in a busy world to process and be present.

There will also be a raffle draw with exciting prizes, with every ticket helping to support those who need it most. Admission is by minimum donation of $15, and all proceeds will go directly to United Way BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund, which supports individuals and families affected by the tragedy.

This isn’t just a concert—it’s a community gathering rooted in care, compassion, and collective strength.

🕯️ Let’s rise together. Let’s heal together.

Image via AI

An individual has been taken into custody following a string of suspicious fires that occurred in Uptown New Westminster on June 13.

Emergency services responded around 5:00 p.m. after staff at a business on the 600 block of Sixth Street reported a suspicious fire inside the store. Fire crews and police were dispatched to the scene, where a second fire at another nearby business on the same block was soon discovered.

Authorities quickly launched an investigation, interviewing witnesses and collecting surveillance and physical evidence.

Later that evening, around 9:00 p.m., a third fire was reported on the 600 block of Seventh Avenue. A person matching the description of the suspect was located near the scene and arrested without incident.

The New Westminster Police Department continues to collaborate with fire investigators from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services. Officials are urging anyone with additional information related to these incidents to contact police at 604-525-5411, referencing file number 2025-10022.

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