Heart On The Line: Chef Mark Singson Serves Up Support For The Filipino Community

In the wake of the tragic events at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Festival, Top Chef Canada alum Mark Singson is turning heartbreak into hope—one plate at a time. The Filipino-born, Vancouver-raised chef is leading a heartfelt fundraising initiative across Canada, hosting pop-ups and community dinners from Montreal to Calgary to Vancouver, all in support of the victims and families affected. We caught up with Singson to talk about the power of food to heal, unite, and uplift. —Noa Nichol

Mark, can you take us back to the moment you heard about the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Festival—what went through your mind, and what compelled you to take action?

It was difficult and dark. When I first heard the news, I felt sick. What was supposed to be a celebration of our history and our resilience turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. I kept thinking about the kids, the elders, the families who came to eat, dance, and celebrate. I knew I couldn’t just watch from the sidelines. Cooking is my way of showing care, and this was how I could turn grief into action.

This fundraising initiative has taken you across Canada. Why was it important for you to extend this beyond Vancouver and make it a national effort?

The Filipino community isn’t limited to one city—we’re everywhere. And after the tragedy, I heard from people across the country all asking how they could help. That energy became a call to bring this beyond Vancouver. I really wanted to make this more about the Filipino community and do what I can to give back the best way I know how—through food. Food always has a way to bring people together, and it’s a huge part of the Filipino community and culture.

How have your fellow chefs, restaurants, and communities responded to your call for support? Can you speak to the spirit of solidarity you’ve seen within the culinary world?

It’s been incredible. Chefs generously donated their time, kitchens, ingredients, and resources. Restaurants from all backgrounds offered their spaces or ran parallel fundraisers. I think this industry understands the power of food to heal. We work long hours, but when it comes to showing up for one another, there’s no hesitation. It’s a deep, unspoken bond.

You’ve partnered with a variety of chefs and venues for these events. How did you go about choosing your collaborators, and what do these partnerships mean to you personally and culturally?

I reached out to those who not only respect the craft but understand the intention behind this initiative. Many are friends who have supported my mission of having Filipino food become a staple in the global culinary scene. We choose partners who care about the community and cultural integrity. Personally, it’s a chance to reconnect with my roots and see how others honour theirs. Culturally, it was powerful to see Filipino flavours interpreted respectfully, side by side with other cuisines, without dilution—just celebration.

Tell us a bit about the menus you’ve created for these events—how are you honouring Filipino cuisine while also using food as a form of healing and connection?

These menus are one of the ways for me to reconnect with my own understanding of Filipino cuisine, which I hadn’t taken the time to understand during my early days as a chef. The dishes I created were a play on Filipino staples, but I realized that that had been my mission all along… slowly but surely the Filipino aspect of my dishes began to shine instead of remaining intact in the background. I wanted to showcase the depth and elegance of Filipino cuisine without needing to explain it away. Sharing these meals opened up space for conversation, for tears, and sometimes even laughter. That’s the healing power of food—it holds our grief and our joy in the same bite.

You’ve described this project as a continuation of the work started by Chef TJ Conwin and other Filipino chefs in Vancouver. What does it mean to you to be part of this collective movement?

Chef TJ and others before me laid the foundation—he immediately went out of his way to make sure those affected had somewhere to turn within the Filipino community. He showed the community how to cook with pride, not apology. Being part of that movement is an honour, but also a responsibility. It’s about more than food—it’s about telling our stories, opening doors for the next generation, and showing that our culture belongs at every table. This fundraiser is just one way to carry that torch forward.

The May 24 community ‘block party’ sounds like a powerful finale. What do you hope people take away from that event—not just about food, but about community and resilience?

I hope people walk away feeling the strength of togetherness. The tragedy broke something open—but what’s rushed in to fill that space is love, generosity, and community. The block party is our joyful resistance. Yes, there’ll be food and music, but there’ll also be a chance to meet your neighbours, share stories, and support families who are still grieving. It’s a reminder that we heal together—and that culture, when shared, becomes a force for resilience.

Beyond this fundraising series, how do you envision continuing to uplift and support the Filipino community through your work moving forward?

This isn’t the end—it’s a beginning. The MabuhayYVR series that was launched in 2022 was the beginning of me reincarnating my Filipino roots through dishes that shaped my youth. I had been struggling for years to integrate Filipino ingredients and dishes into my repertoire. Throughout 2023 I continued to showcase my love of Filipino food through this series and it gained so much traction in the Vancouver community—I was overwhelmed by the support. This year I am bringing this all back and better than ever. Vancouverites have made it clear that this is a style and a cuisine that they love and are willing to seek out… and I plan on giving it to them.