Breaking: Elderly Asian parents charged with slaying son-in-law

At 77-years old, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen should have been enjoying the quiet autumn of their lives. Instead, the East Bay grandparents find themselves behind bars, facing first-degree murder charges after a shooting that left their former son-in-law dead. As details emerge from the case, the tragedy exposes a raw, agonizing intersection of severe domestic trauma, immigrant sacrifice, and the profound limits of cultural protection.

The suspects, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77-year-old grandparents, are currently being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail of Alameda County. They face charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and child endangerment following the fatal shooting of Jonathan McKinsey, 40, a director of engineering for New York Times Games. 

For our community, this case forces a look past the shocking headlines and into the immense, often invisible pressures facing elderly immigrant parents who step into the fray to protect their children.

Cultural duty and multi-generational household

In many traditional Asian immigrant families, the boundary between the nuclear family and maternal grandparents does not exist. When their daughter, Candice Jang, separated from McKinsey amid a volatile relationship, Zhang and Chen moved into the home in Dublin, California.

They did not just act as babysitters to their three young grandchildren; they became a physical and emotional buffer against what court documents describe as an increasingly tense domestic situation. 

Court filings show McKinsey had a pending criminal case for misdemeanor child abuse and endangerment after allegedly bruising his 6-year-old son. 

For elderly immigrant parents, seeing a child and grandchildren trapped in a system that allows an accused abuser weekly supervised visits can trigger a profound sense of helplessness. In traditional cultural dynamics, the duty to protect the bloodline is absolute. When the legal system appears slow or inadequate, that protective instinct can morph into something desperate.

Generational and identity clashes

The case also underscores the heavy friction that can occur when old-world generational expectations collide with contemporary American life. In reciprocal court filings, McKinsey—who transitioned in 2010—alleged that his mother-in-law, Shili Chen, targeted him with anti-LGBTQ+ slurs.

While the defense has yet to lay out its formal arguments ahead of the couple's Wednesday, Sept. 30 arraignment, community advocates note that language barriers, unfamiliarity with Western legal frameworks, and generational misunderstandings often compound the isolation immigrant families experience during highly stressful domestic disputes.

While extended family members have largely shielded themselves from the intense media spotlight, local community reactions reflect a mix of horror and a quiet, somber understanding of the desperation involved.

Neighbors and community members have expressed utter disbelief that a 77-year-old couple — described by those who caught glimpses of them as quiet and entirely devoted to their grandchildren — could allegedly execute a premeditated deadly plan involving masks and a firearm.

"Are we surprised by the violence? Absolutely," noted one local community advocate who works with Asian immigrant families in the East Bay. "But are we surprised by the lengths to which immigrant grandparents will go if they truly believe their flesh and blood is in immediate physical danger? No. In their minds, they may have felt they were sacrificing the remainder of their own lives so their daughter and grandchildren could have a future."

As Zhang and Chen step into the East County Hall of Justice for their arraignment on Wednesday, Sept. 30, the community is left to grapple with an unresolvable paradox. Two lives have been irrevocably stolen — one ended on the pavement, and two others effectively buried behind prison walls — all in the name of a ferocious, desperate instinct to protect the next generation.

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Filipino Canadian steps up to win Singapore Open

Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez is back in the winners circle.

A Filipina wins the Singapore Open after all, just not the one everyone expected.

Local fans packed the stands at the Singapore Tennis Open expecting a deep run from young home-region favorite Alex Eala. But after Eala suffered an early exit in the Round of 16, it was Leylah Fernandez who stepped into the spotlight, dismantling Australia's Talia Gibson 7-5, 6-0 in the final to capture her sixth career WTA title.

Fernandez, who proudly embraces her Filipino Canadian heritage, made sure to give a massive shoutout to the local crowd that fueled her dominant run all week long.

Feeling the Pinoy love

In her on-court post-match speech, an emotional Fernandez expressed deep gratitude to the passionate crowd:

“I would like to thank all the Singaporean fans and the Pinoy fans who came to watch this whole week. Not only my matches, but everybody’s matches. You guys made this week extremely special with all your encouragement, the energy, and the positivity that you brought in everyone’s matches. It truly meant a lot. Thank you for coming to watch women’s tennis, and hopefully, you guys get to watch many more matches live and in person too.”

Tournament breakdown

After fighting through a tight 7-5 first set, Fernandez hit another gear, delivering a 6-0 bagel in the second set to seal the WTA 500 crown in 1 hour and 38 minutes.

To reach the finals, the sixth-seeded Fernandez had to battle past top seed Mirra Andreeva, dropping only one set the entire tournament.

With this victory, Fernandez is set to make a triumphant return to the WTA top 30, while Eala shifts her focus to her gold medal chase at the Asian Games in Japan.

Of the six titles Fernandez has won, three have been Asian tournaments. She will move on to Beijing for the China Open, followed by the Korea Open, the Ninngbo Open in China, the Japan Open in Osaka, the Toray Open in Tokyo, Guangzo Open in China and tournaments in Hong Kong and India.

"This gives me a lot of confidence, but I do know that the very next day I have to start from zero," Fernandez told reporters after winning the Singapore title. "Another big tournament starts. Beijing is not an easy tournament, with so many top players. So you know it's just going to get tougher from here on out.

"But seeing that I was able to go through this type of adversity this week gives me the belief that I can do it again."

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Alexandra Eala moves onto Asian Games after being upset in Singapore

Alexandra Eala’s shocking exit at the Singapore Tennis Open has reignited the exhausting online debate: Is the 21-year-old Filipina star actually overhyped?

Entering the elevated WTA 500 event as the third seed, Eala seemed firmly in control before collapsing to World No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova, dropping a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 three-hour marathon. 

"I need to analyze and reconvene with my team and, you know, say, hey, we need to work on A, B, and C. And so I'll work on it. And I think that's the beauty of sports. That's the beauty of tennis. It's a constant, I guess, constant evolution. You're always learning," she said in the post-match press conference.

"And, yeah, in the end, you're going to have days like this where you battle three hours and it just doesn't go your way. So, yeah, I have to learn from it, but also not try to make it bigger than it needs to be."

For critics who feel that Eala doesn't deserve all the accolades she has been receiving this season, the early-round loss was immediate fodder to claim her media footprint heavily outweighs her consistency on the main tour.

Yet, looking past the immediate internet overreactions reveals a far more nuanced picture of a rapidly developing top-50 talent. While her massive, passionate fanbase and intense media spotlight can easily distort expectations, 

Eala’s core metrics and recent breakthrough — most notably capturing her maiden WTA 500 title at the Washington D.C. Open — prove her high-level ball-striking belongs on the big stage. Tennis analysts recognize that standard development dips are a normal part of the process, rather than proof of a lack of talent.

Eala vs. WTA

The scrutiny has only intensified following the strict stance on her upcoming schedule. By bypassing the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing, Eala faces a potential $10,000 late-withdrawal fine and a harsh zero-point penalty on her world ranking. 

The situation has drawn sharp pushback from tennis veterans on the Nothing Major podcast, where former ATP pro Steve Johnson blasted the potential fine as "the dumbest thing" the WTA could do, while adding, "I mean, she should play it. I mean, this is big." His co-host, former World No. 8 John Isner, argued the tour should wave the fine and point penalty outright, while Sam Querrey noted that Eala's massive box-office draw gives her leverage to simply skip future Asian events entirely if pushed too far. 

Media figures have also piled on, with the Tennis Weekly Podcast calling it "not a good look for the WTA," insisting that players shouldn't be penalized for representing their country.

While the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) continues to await an official waiver ruling, rumors that a fan stepped up to pay the penalty are premature—the fine hasn't even been officially levied yet. Instead, political figures like Senator Erwin Tulfo are already urging the government to foot the bill, declaring it a price worth paying for national honor.

Ultimately, Eala is already shifting her focus to that international duty. She is proudly headlining her country's squad at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan where she is the top seed. Her first match is slated for Sept. 28.

She is arriving as a heavy favorite to claim the gold medal at the Asian Games which would give her a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

View from the edge

Her choice to represent the Philippines in the Olympic qualifying event highlights a unique athlete balancing the grueling demands of the professional tour with a deep dedication to her country. She might not explain her decision in cultural terms but she may be — consciously or unconsciously — fulfilling something familiar to Filipinos.

Beyond the metrics, the rankings, and the court battles lies a powerful driving force that explanations on the tour often miss: the unwavering heartbeat of the Filipino diaspora. Across continents, millions of overseas Filipinos have carried Eala through her steepest climbs and toughest losses, turning every match into a collective home game. 

Rooted deeply in utang na loob (a profound sense of gratitude and debt of gratitude) and malasakit (compassionate care for community), Eala’s dedication to the flag is more than just an athletic obligation or ordinary patriotism — it is a heartfelt reciprocity. 

To her, answering the call of country isn't just about punching a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; it is about honoring the millions who see their own resilience reflected in her fight, cementing her legacy not just as a tennis champion, but as a daughter of the Philippines.

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"Forgotten Island' premieres to rave reviews, audience joy and so-so box office

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Producers and cast members pose for selfies at the US premiere of 'Forgotten Island.'

When the newly minted Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opened its doors for its historic first-ever film screening on September 23, it didn't choose a standard Hollywood blockbuster. Instead, it handed the keys to Forgotten Island —and two days later, DreamWorks Animation's latest feature is setting both the internet and nationwide theaters on fire. 

Boasting a staggering 98% to 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72 on Metacritic, directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado haven't just made a hit; they’ve created a cultural milestone.

From the glitzy museum premiere to standard Friday matinees, the verdicts are rolling in from critics and audiences alike. Here is how the world is reacting to this vibrant explosion of Filipino culture.

The Critics: Visually stunning and pure chaos 

Mainstream critics are universally dazzled by the film's kinetic, anime-inspired aesthetic and its deeply respectful integration of Philippine mythology. For many Western reviewers, it is being hailed as an absolute triumph of original storytelling.

"A gorgeous, hyper-stylized adventure that effortlessly marries emotional depth with jaw-dropping folklore," writes Variety. "It’s the most visually inventive film DreamWorks has delivered in years."

Even the rare pushback feels like a compliment to the movie's relentless energy, with critics noting its frantic, Hangover-style quest structure.

The Guardian was slightly more fatigued by the pace, calling it a "frantic, over-energized experience that rarely slows down to breathe." However, Mashable completely disagreed, enthusiastically crowning it as "a chaotic joyride and an epic adventure for weirdos."

Set against a nostalgic 1990s backdrop, the film focuses on two Filipino BFFs: Jo (voiced by Grammy winner H.E.R.) and Raissa (voiced by Liza Soberano), two lifelong best friends standing at the precipice of adulthood. 

On the final night after their high school graduation, just before their lives pull them down separate paths, they unexpectedly stumble through a magical portal. They are transported to Nakali, a fantastical island straight out of Philippine mythology. To find their way home, the two must navigate a breathtaking landscape populated by legendary folkloric creatures, forcing them to confront the evolution and survival of their friendship. 

The Gateway: How it plays with Non-Filipino audiences

One of the film's biggest triumphs is how it is received outside of the diaspora. Non-Filipino viewers and critics aren't just tolerating the dense Filipino lore; they are entirely enchanted by it. Reviews note that while the movie introduces creatures like the duwende (goblins) and tikbalang (were-horses), it never feels like a lecture.

"The rich mythology of the Philippines provides a fertile soil that will stun the uninitiated," notes The Mercury News.

RogerEbert.com pointed out the organic writing, stating that while general audiences "will likely learn a lot about Mercado's culture," the film's core themes remain universally human. "The threat of the mystical island—losing the memories of the person you love most—is a deeply moving metaphor for the fear of growing apart."

Box office and word-of-mouth potential

Forgotten Island is currently projected to open with a modest $14 million to $18 million domestically. While the film is a massive hit with critics, it is facing a highly competitive weekend and a slow box office start that underperforms early tracking expectations.

The early box office data and tracking dynamics highlight several factors shaping its theatrical run:

• Strong Previews: The film grossed $1.48 million in domestic previews across Thursday showtimes, Mystery Monday, and Sunday sneak peeks. This is a strong start for an original film, pacing slightly ahead of DreamWorks' 2022 hit The Bad Guys ($1.1 million previews). With an almost 100% on Rotten Apples, the feature is the Dreamworks' highest rated animated film of all time.

• Tough Weekend Competition: The movie is not expected to claim the #1 spot this weekend. It is battling major crowded theatrical traffic, including the highly anticipated re-release Avengers: Endgame Encore and the horror debut of Resident Evil, placing it on track for a 4th or 5th place finish.

• Long-Term "Legs" Potential: Carrying an $80 million production budget, the movie will rely heavily on sustained long-term performance. Because it faces zero major family film competition until The Cat in the Hat debuts in early November, box office analysts predict its near-perfect critical reviews will drive strong word-of-mouth over the coming weeks.

View from the edge: A historic celebration of representation

For Filipino and Filipino American theatergoers, Forgotten Island is less of a standard movie release and more of a historic victory lap. Audiences are flooding social media with praise for seeing specific cultural nuances and monsters like the manananggal proudly centered in a massive Hollywood production.

The star-studded cast—featuring voice performances from H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Jo Koy and Manny Jacinto — has only amplified the AAPI community's excitement.

At the premiere, star Jacinto captured the emotional weight of the moment: "Seeing this wave of support from the community is just huge. These opportunities are so rare, and to see our stories told on this scale is everything."

An early audience member posting on X (formerly Twitter) echoed the sentiment: "I took my parents to see it today and we were all crying by the end. Seeing a manananggal on a theater screen while Dave Franco plays a chaotic creature named Raww is the exact chaotic energy my inner child needed."

It is hoped that the feature will catch on like last year's big hit,  K-pop Demon Hunters animated movie, which captured a wide ranging audience beyond the Asian American community.

Ultimately, Forgotten Island is proving that the most specific stories are often the most universal. Unfortunately, in too  many eyes, "universal" means white, male and born in the US. 

We are betting that "universal" means more than that narrow perspective. RogerEbert.com's review gets it. Forgotten Island  captures the heart of "Forgotten Island" goes beyond race or nationality: "... friendships, even very close ones, have a lifespan, and that even though changes in circumstance or geography might not completely end the friendship, it will alter it and make it less central to daily life — and that’s not only a bearable disappointment; it’s a natural part of growing up that almost everyone has had to deal with."

By grounding a wildly imaginative mythical world in a deeply relatable story about two lifelong best friends facing the reality of growing up, DreamWorks has delivered a masterpiece that belongs to everyone who has ever had a friend.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

A grim September reminds us the assaults on Asian Americans have not stopped

From a brutal, fatal beating in Virginia to a horrific, grisly beheading in Texas, a stabbing at a Wyoming rest stop, and a Texas politician’s xenophobic dog-whistles, the message being sent to our communities is clear, loud, and dangerous: You don't belong here.

September has been a devastating month for the Asian American and South Asian American communities, proving yet again that the toxic mix of political scapegoating and street-level racist violence continues to put a target on the backs of all Asian Americans.

Beaten to death

In Norfolk, Virginia, our elders are once again paying the ultimate price for simply existing in public spaces. Bert Atienza, a 77-year-old Filipino-American, died from blunt head trauma following an altercation inside a local Walmart. 

The spark was agonizingly mundane: Atienza reportedly spoke up when a teenage employee nearly struck his wife with a heavy shopping cart. Rather than defusing the situation, the teenager called her parents to the store. Travis White and Erika Mitchell arrived, cornered the elderly man, and brutally beat him. 

Both parents have now been charged with second-degree murder. It is a reminder of how quickly routine interactions can turn deadly for Asian American elders when bias takes over.

South Asians most targeted

The casual brutality facing our community members reached an unthinkable horror in Dallas, Texas. Chandra Mouli "Bob" Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old Indian motel manager, was brutally murdered and beheaded by a co-worker. 

The senseless violence erupted from a minor dispute when Nagamallaiah instructed the employee not to use a broken washing machine. When Nagamallaiah asked another worker to translate the instruction due to a language barrier, the suspect—identified as Yordanis Cobos-Martinez—flew into a rage, retrieved a machete, and launched a merciless attack. 

Nagamallaiah’s wife and son rushed from the front office in a desperate attempt to save him, only to watch helplessly as the horrific violence unfolded. It is a devastating illustration of the vulnerable, frontline realities immigrants face while trying to earn an honest living.

The danger extends far beyond retail aisles and hits our highways. On September 13, a 28-year-old Sikh truck driver, identified only as Singh, survived a horrific, unprovoked attack at an Interstate 80 rest area in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. 

Singh was followed into a restroom and stabbed 17 times. A nearby family rushed to his aid, applying life-saving first aid until emergency responders arrived, 

while suspect Andrew Kris Bzdak was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. 

Community advocates point out that this didn't happen in a vacuum, following a wave of online hostility targeting South Asian truck drivers—including a since-deleted Department of Homeland Security graphic featuring a Sikh driver with the text "Get off our roads." 

Civil rights groups are demanding a federal hate crime investigation into how official messaging reinforces such violence.

Unapologetic racism in Texas

The violence on the streets is fueled directly by the rhetoric coming from those seeking power. In mid-September, Bo French, a Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, sparked massive outrage after posting a photo on X showing South Asian students celebrating a University of Texas at Austin football victory. 

French captioned the post claiming "Americans have been displaced by foreigners." The reality, of course, is that the students targeted are actual American citizens, many born and raised right here. 

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the comments drew sharp condemnation not just from Democrats, but from top Texas Republicans—including Senator John Cornyn and Governor Greg Abbott—proving that French's overt xenophobia crossed a line even for his own party.

View from the edge

This alarming surge in hate incidents against the AAPI community did not emerge in a vacuum; it traces its roots directly back to the scapegoating of the pandemic era, when bigoted rhetoric from Donald Trump and top administration officials deliberately linked Asian bodies to a global health crisis. 

By popularizing terms like "Chinese virus" and "Kung flu," highest-level political figures gave mainstream permission for xenophobia to fester, turning public health anxieties into open season on Asian Americans. The rhetoric that once weaponized a pandemic has since metastasized into a permanent political tool, laying the groundwork for the modern dog-whistles and street violence we see today.

Whether it’s political rhetoric that treats Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners or unprovoked violence on our streets and highways, the assault on our community is ongoing. 

We can no longer afford to treat these hateful acts as isolated incidents or chalk them up to bad days. Silence is no longer an option, and waiting for institutions to protect us out of the goodness of their hearts is a fatal mistake. 

Though the attacks against us no longer make the front pages, it is not any less disappointing that many people still don't see us as fellow Americans and instead use as scapegoats for political purposes.

Until we actively dismantle the pipeline connecting political hate speech to street-level brutality, our elders, our workers, and our youth will continue to walk with targets on their backs. The time for polite outrage has passed; our survival demands collective, uncompromising resistance.

What's even more frightening: there are still a few days left in September.

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