Tributes have been paid to a Filipina community worker who was killed in a head-on crash in North Vancouver B.C. last Tuesday.
Marcelina Perdido Agulay, 65, had just picked up her husband, Leonilo, from work when a suspected drunk driver hit their car at around 11 p.m. Tuesday, March 2 on Low Level Road, according to a report by CBC News.
Agulay died on the spot while her husband remains in critical condition.
Investigation is ongoing. Authorities believe that alcohol was a factor in the collision.
"We are currently in the midst of an investigation of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and refusal to provide samples of breath for purposes of an impaired investigation," said Sgt. Peter DeVries in a CBC report.
Agulay was a member of Migrante B.C., a community group that advocates protecting the rights of Filipino immigrants.
In a Facebook post, the organization said that she was “a generous and engaged community member… known for her smiles, good sense of humour, a big and generous heart…she will be missed.”
Several British Columbia political leaders who worked with Agulay also remembered her as a dedicated community champion for fighting to improve the lives of migrant workers.
North Vancouver MLA Bowinn Ma described Agulay as a “kind, principled, and fearless organizer for the marginalized working class" in a Twitter post on Wednesday.
Former NDP MLA Svend Robinson said Agulay was a crusader for justice.
Premier John Horgan also described her as "a tireless advocate for working people".
A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up by Agulay's friends and relatives to support her family.
“We are all in shock and in utter disbelief,” organizer Karissa Abad wrote on the page.
Agulay had a university degree in agriculture in the Philippines but left to work as a caregiver in Hong Kong and Canada to support her family.
“She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a teacher, and a devoted community member. And will be missed so dearly. Lina leaves behind a family who will miss her so dearly including a son and two grandchildren.”
More than $34,000 has been raised as of Monday morning, March 8.
For those who also want to help Agulay's family, you may go to this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-marcelina-perdido-agulay