Shocker: CBS lays off prominent FilAm journalist Elaine Quijano

Elaline Quijano

In a move that has sent shockwaves through newsrooms across the country, Elaine Quijano— the trailblazing Filipino American journalist who famously broke the glass ceiling as the first Asian American to moderate a national debate—has been purged from CBS News.

This wasn’t a standard corporate "restructuring"; it was a massacre. Under the new regime of Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and the Skydance-Paramount merger, the layoffs of Quijano and Houston-based reporter Karen Hua represent a calculated erasure of the very voices that once made the network a standard for inclusion.

Quijano, 52, wasn’t just a face on the screen; she was a pillar of Filipino American history and a role model for dozens of AANHPI journalists. She has been with CBS since 2010 and prior to joining the network she was a reporters for CNN.

In 2016, she stood on the debate stage between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, proving to every Pinoy kid watching that we belonged at the highest levels of American discourse. Before being sidelined by the network’s "anti-woke" pivot, she was a workhorse, anchoring CBSN Red & Blue and reporting from the White House.

But don't expect her to stay silent. Following the lead of other AAPI heavyweights like Justin MacFarlane, who recently jumped to the independent MeidasTouch network for "some independence," Quijano is reportedly eyeing the independent media space.

 The trend is clear: as corporate newsrooms turn right, the talent that built them is taking their audiences to platforms where they don't have to self-censor for a billionaire's agenda.

Community shocked

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and veteran newsmen aren't taking this sitting down. In a blistering response, the AAJA expressed "deep concern" over the loss of AANHPI leadership, noting that these cuts—which also saw the shuttering of the network's Race and Culture Unit—disproportionately silence underrepresented voices when they are needed most.

The optics of firing two high-profile AAPI women during a "conservative takeover" are, to put it mildly, disastrous, says AAJA in a statement. The organization expressed "deep concern" over the loss of AANHPI leadership, noting that these cuts disproportionately silence underrepresented voices at a time when they are needed most.

Social media has been flooded with tributes. Former colleagues described Quijano as a "mentor" and the "gold standard" for journalists of color. One fellow reporter noted, "Losing Elaine isn't just a loss for CBS; it's a loss for the truth."

Critics are pointing directly at the Weiss-Cibrowski leadership. Despite assurances from CBS leadership, the network's vaunted news department, including 60 Minutes, has lost credibility as a fact-based news outlet. By cutting seasoned correspondents like Quijano and environmental reporter Dave Malkoff, the network seems to be clearing the decks for a brand of "new media" that prioritizes ideology over the hard-earned credibility of the old guard.

CBS statement

“We recognize that this is a difficult time for those who will be leaving CBS News. Because these aren’t just names on a list," said the network in a statement to the remaining staff.

“They are talented, committed colleagues who have been critical to our success. We’ll treat them all with care and respect.

“It’s no secret that the news business is changing radically, and that we need to change along with it. New audiences are burgeoning in new places, and we are pressing forward with ambitious plans to grow and invest so that we can be there for them."

This new round of layoff affects 60-70 staff cements the network's catering to conservative views. The "new audiences" apparently means the far-right followers of Trump who prior to  Trump's election didn't watch network news.

The financial fallout

If Weiss thought a "conservative takeover" would save the network's bottom line, the early numbers are a cold shower. Six months into her tenure, CBS News is hitting historic lows.

• Ratings Collapse: CBS Evening News has plummeted below the critical 4 million viewer mark for the first time this century, averaging just 3.83 million viewers.

• Demographic Dive: The advertiser-coveted 25-54 demographic has cratered, dropping as much as 28% for CBS Mornings and 18% for the evening broadcast compared to last year.

• Audience Migration: While CBS loses viewers, rivals at ABC and NBC are seeing their audiences grow, suggesting a mass exodus of viewers who aren't buying the network's new "Trump-friendly" editorial direction.

View from the edge

CBS is owned by Skydance-Paramount headed by David Ellison, son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, one of Trump's biggest supporters.

Ellison's media empire includes: Paramount Pictures, CBS Entertainment Group, broadcasting networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime), streaming services (Paramount+, Pluto TV), and Skydance’s animation, sports, and interactive gaming divisions.

On addition, the Ellisons are in the midst of buying Warner Brothers  Discovery for $110 billion. The deal is undergoing intense federal and state antitrust scrutiny. It is expected to take 6 to 18 months to officially close, pending tapproval by the Trump's regime.

If approved by the FCC, besides CBS, the Ellisons would also get CNN which has sparked intense debate over the control of national information. Lawmakers have specifically raised concerns about potential political influence over news editorial decisions.

Internal morale at CBS is reportedly in a "death spiral" as staffers watch nearly a century of prestige—including the now-shuttered CBS Radio—be dismantled in real-time. For the AANHPI community, the message is loud and clear: at the new CBS, diversity and experience aren't a strength—they are targets.

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. 

UC Berkeley awarded $5 million grant to expand study of AANHPI Christians

CHRISTIANITY TODAY

AANHPI Christians are an often overlooked demographic.

Most Americans still view Asian Americans are Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus or Muslim, adding to the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype that haunts AANHPI.

“Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Christians are the largest religious group," says Ethnic Studies Professor Caroly Chen of University of California, Berkeley.

UC Berkeley's APARRI, part of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, has secured a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to expand the study of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Christian experiences. 

The initiative will fund archival projects, media fellowships, and public lectures to highlight the diversity of AAPI faith communities in American history. 

        FYI: For more details about the APARRI, click here.

The Christian majority among AANHPI is "something that is not commonly known, nor is it a dimension of AAPI life that often is studied in academia,” sys Chen, who serves as the executive director of APARRI and co-director of BCSR.

 “Our goal is to transform and diversify our understanding and knowledge of American Christianity and highlight the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.” 

Pew Research Center findings:

According the Pew Research Center, roughly 34% identify as Christian as of 2023. This diverse community includes prominent evangelical, Protestant, and Catholic groups, frequently characterized by distinct first-generation immigrant churches alongside second-generation English-speaking ministries.

Affiliation Breakdown: Asian American Christians are roughly split between Catholics (17%) and Protestants (16%). Among Protestants, approximately 10% identify as born-again or evangelical.

Ethnic Concentration:

• Filipino Americans: Predominantly Catholic (roughly 75%).

• Korean Americans: Predominantly Protestant (roughly 59%), with a high concentration of evangelicals.

• Chinese & Vietnamese Americans: While these groups have high numbers of religiously unaffiliated or Buddhist members, significant Christian minorities exist (roughly 15-30%).

The UC grant and study comes at an important time for exploring American Christianity, when most of the public attention is focused on white Christian nationalism, Chen said. “But in fact, American Christianity is becoming increasingly non-white.”

“On one hand, you have a side that's digging in on a white nativist understanding of American Christianity,” she added. “And then on the other side, you have this growing population of folks who have a very different experience of Christianity, race and nation.” 

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. 

Jessica Pegula ousted from Miami Open

Jess Pegula fought hard all the way but frustration mounted as she lost to Elena Rybakina.

The streak is officially a hex. Jessica Pegula (WTA No. 5) just can’t find the code to crack the Elena Rybakina (WTA No. 4) enigma, dropping her fifth straight match to the Kazakh powerhouse in a heartbreaking 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 collapse at the Miami Open quarterfinals.

For a minute there, it looked like the narrative was finally changing. The Korean American tennis veteran came out like a woman possessed, slicing through the first set 6-2 in a cool 35 minutes while Rybakina looked stuck in the mud. But if we’ve learned anything from this rivalry, it’s that Rybakina is never truly out until the handshake.

The wheels started wobbling in the second set. Pegula, 32, had three chances to break at 2-2—moments that likely would have buried the match—but she couldn't convert. The younger Rybakina smelled the hesitation, cranked up the serve (finishing with 15 aces), and never looked back. By the time they reached the third, the momentum had completely flipped.

The frustration was palpable. Pegula, usually the stoic professional, let the emotions fly with a mid-match rant that caught the mics, proving just how much this specific matchup is living rent-free in her head. Despite actually winning more total points (100 to 98), Pegula remains the bridesmaid in this rivalry.

“I’m putting myself right there,” Pegula told media. “I’m ­giving myself the chances and the ­opportunities, I think I have elevated my game, I’ve become a better player. I am definitely challenging them, both of them. That’s kind of all I can ask of myself and hopefully some of the wins will come along.”

Next up, Jess heads to the green clay of the Credit One Charleston Open, where she’ll look to defend her title starting March 30, 2026. It’s just the reset she needs to flush this hard-court hex and find her footing on the dirt.

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. 

Miami Open: Pegula carries AAPI torch into the quarterfinals

Korean American Jessica Pegula faces her toughest test today at the Miami Open.

Jessica Pegula isn’t just winning; she’s carrying the torch. After a clinical 6-4, 6-1 demolition of Jaqueline Cristian, the world No. 5 is officially the last Asian American standing in the Miami Open draw, and she’s doing it with the quiet, relentless efficiency that has become her trademark.

Watching Jessie work on the Butch Buchholz court was a masterclass in "The Edge." Playing the best tennis" she has ever played, Pegula represents a specific kind of excellence: grounded, unwavering, and tactically superior. She didn't just win this match; she suffocated it.

Pegula faced zero break points. In a game often defined by momentum swings, she refused to give Cristian even an inch of daylight.

At one point in the second set, Jessie rattled off 10 straight points. That’s not just good tennis; that’s being "in the zone" while everyone else is still checking their watches.

By moving into the quarterfinals, she joins Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only American women to reach five consecutive Miami QFs. That is the kind of air—elite, rare, and hard-earned—that defines a legacy.

Pegula, whose mother is Korean, is the lone Asian American representative left in the heat of Miami.

Next up is a heavy-hitting clash with No. 3-ranked Elena Rybakina today slated for a 10 a.m. EDT start. It’s the veteran composure of Pegula versus the raw power of Rybakina—a true test of whether Jessie’s surgical precision can dismantle one of the tour’s biggest serves. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a developing story. Check back later for results. 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. 

Poll: Trump immigration and economic policies drive AAPI voters back to Democrats

In St. Paul Minnesota, ICE agents broke open a door and detained a Hmong elder in shorts and
 slippers in the middle of winter earlier this year.

As the Donald Trump regime ramps up its enforcement machine, a staggering 73% of AAPI adults now view ICE with pure unfavorability.

The latest dispatch from AAPI Data and the AP-NORC Center reveals a community under siege, with reports of AAPI deaths in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody and the separation of families, stomach-churning treatment of detainees—from being denied basic medical care to being held in dehumanizing conditions while awaiting deportation—casting a dark shadow over the community.

A solid 61% of AAPI folks say Trump’s hardline immigration and border policies have done nothing but cause harm, a sentiment that runs much deeper than the 42% seen in the general U.S. population. While the administration beats the drum of "security," the AAPI community sees it for what it is: a direct threat. In fact, 67% of our people believe these deportation tactics have gone way too far, especially when only 2 in 10 AAPI adults actually think rounding up undocumented immigrants should be a top priority for this government.

        FYI: Read the full report from AAPI Data and the AP-NORC Center.

Nearly three-quarters of AAPI adults report that the administration’s economic policies have actively hurt their ability to survive, with 8 in 10 feeling the squeeze of a rising cost of living that seems designed to leave us behind.

When ICE agents went to New York City's Chinatown, they were met passersby and
residents rotested their presence.

A massive 76% of AAPI adults believe the administration’s aggressive tariffs have crossed the line, with many fearing these trade barriers will do nothing but drive up the price of the basic goods we need to get through the day. Add to that the 62% who say the White House’s approach to the labor market has actually strangled job creation, and you have a recipe for a community that feels economically abandoned.

A legacy of uncertainty

Roughly 71% of AAPI adults think the administration has been far too quick to use the US military to intervene in other countries and this was before the US and Israel attacked Iran. 

This hawkishness, combined with a bleak economic outlook, has left a legacy of doubt: only 29% of our community believes the next generation will actually have a better life than their parents.

A massive 72% of AAPI adults hold an unfavorable view of Trmp, and that disdain extends down the line. Whether it’s JD Vance at 65% unfavorable, RFK Jr. at 59%, or Marco Rubio at 55%, the verdict from the AAPI community is clear: this leadership doesn't represent us, and it certainly isn't protecting us.

View from the edge

What the findings suggest is that the AAPI voters who had moved rightward in 2024 are re-evaluating their choice for President and moving from the right and undecided ranks back to the progressive and center. 

The survey conducted in February of this year counters the slew of articles and analyses from so-called experts giving the false impression that AAPI communities' slight shift  to the right was permanent. Instead, the recent poll indicates that a significant segment of AAPI voters are persuadable depending on recent developments.

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. 

Alex Eala's dream slammed by reality check in Miami Open

Alexandra Eala ranking drops after her loss Monday.

Alexandra Eala's Cinderella run at the Miami Open hit a wall on Monday, March 23, 2026, as she fell to 13th seed Karolína Muchová in the Round of 16.

The "Eala Effect" that captivated the Hard Rock Stadium for a week finally met its match in the clinical precision of Muchová. While the 6-0, 6-2 scoreline looks like a blowout on paper, it was more of a masterclass in experience. Muchová used her signature variety—slices, drop shots, and flat power—to keep the 20-year-old Filipina completely off-balance.

Eala, who had already stunned Grand Slam champions in previous rounds, found herself in a "bagel" set within 22 minutes. She showed her trademark "never-say-die" grit in the second set, finally getting on the board at 0-4, but Muchová never allowed a single break point the entire match.

FYI: The last remaiinng Asian American in the tournament, Jessica Pegula faces Jaqueline Cristian today, 7 p.m EDT.

The Eala Effect

Despite the lopsided score, the atmosphere at the Grandstand was electric. It could have been played in Manila. Even with the lopsided final score, she still left the court to a chorus of cheers.

It absolutely sounded like a home court advantage for Eala. Even when she was down big, the "Laban Alex!" (Fight Alex!) cheers and the waving of Philippine flags were relentless.

The crowd was predominantly Filipino. The Miami area’s large Pinoy community—and those who flew in—turned the stadium into a sea of blue, red, and yellow.

On social media and in the stands, the sentiment was one of "Pinoy Pride" over disappointment. Fans noted her "maturity beyond her years" and focused on her historic run to the fourth round rather than the final match. One fan aptly summed it up: "Reality knocked, but Alex is still a warrior trained at the Nadal Academy; the best is yet to come."

What’s next?

Eala exits after earning roughly $105,720 in prize money, falling from No. 29 to No. 45 in the WTA rankings.

The 20-year old won't have long to dwell on the loss. Eala will have plenty of opportunity to improve her ranking as she heads to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz starting April 6, kicking off her clay-court season at the WTA 500 event.

The Filipina is then likely to take part in both the Madrid and Italian Opens before making her way to Paris for the French Open.

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. 

Hawaii’s AANHPI Ccmmunities rally as floods leave trails of destruction

SCREEN CAPTURE / ABC

Oahu's North Shore communities were the hardest hit by the double deluge.

Over 5,500 residents across Hawaii were forced to evacuate as flash floods—the worst in over two decades—tore through neighborhoods, uprooted families, and left an estimated $1 billion in damages in their wake.

While the headline-grabbing wind and rain of the March 2026 double "Kona low" storm system -- essentially, a slow moving storm followed by another slow moving storm --  have started to subside after dumping 8-14 inches of rain. The reality of storm damage for thousands in Hawaii is just beginning to sink in.

For many in our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, this isn't just a weather event; it’s a direct hit on ancestral lands and cultural hubs already facing economic and environmental pressures.

Ground zero

Oahu’s North Shore & Windward Side was ground zero. Communities like Haleiwa, Waialua, and Laie—home to many Native Hawaiian families—bore the brunt of the water's fury. In Laie, approximately 100 homes were damaged overnight.

“It was a scary moment for us, especially my mom being here by herself,” Leilua Scott of Laie told Hawaii News Now. “Seeing what was damaged and how the water was still rising, I didn’t worry about anything. All I worried was my mom and my little brother.”

“Everything was damaged from the bed, sofas, couches, icebox, everything. We can’t save anything,” Scott said.

Over 230 people had to be pulled from the rising waters, including 72 kids and staff airlifted from a North Shore youth camp.

Officials and residents are worried about the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam overtopping casting a shadow of fear over downstream families for days.

The earthen dam was built by the Waialua Sugar Company to irrigate North Shore sugar fields. Today it is owned by the Dole Food Company.

The earthen dam has been cited for lacking adequate spillway repairs since 2009. The historic rains brought the reservoir to critical levels, causing concerns about potential failure, though Dole management stated it remained structurally sound.

Thankfully, water levels started dropping Saturday, but the damage is done—homes are buried in muck, and the local fire station was completely swamped.

Early estimates are staggering, hovering around $1 billion. We’re talking destroyed schools, shredded roads, and a power grid that’s still struggling to stay upright in some pockets.

Maui: disaster after disaster

On Maui, in areas like Lahaina and South Kihei, residents still healing from the 2023 wildfires are now navigating mudslides and sinkholes. The "sky weeps" (Uwe ka lani), but for those in temporary housing or already displaced, the "life" it brings to the earth is a heavy weight to carry.

Big Island

While the sun is trying to peek through in spots, the Big Island is still under a Flood Watch through this afternoon. The ground is so saturated right now that even a light shift in the wind could send more mud sliding.

Kauai & Molokai 

They dodged the absolute worst but are still dealing with heavy runoff and flash flood advisories as the tail end of the system drags across the chain.

Hawaii is resilient, but this one left a mark. If you’re on the islands, stay off the backroads and keep an eye on the National Weather Service—this system isn't totally out of the neighborhood yet.

How to support recovery efforts

The road to rebuilding will be long, and financial support is the most effective way to help community-led organizations pivot to meet changing needs.

• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA): Launched the Kākoʻo Oʻahu fund specifically to provide financial and housing assistance to families displaced by these floods. They are currently running a $100,000 matching campaign.

• Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: Activated the Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund, designed to move resources quickly and flexibly across all islands where the need is greatest.

• The Salvation Army (Hawaiian & Pacific Islands): Deploying emergency teams to provide meals and essential supplies to those in shelters across Oahu and Maui.

• Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation: Supporting rural and agricultural AANHPI communities through the Hawaii Flood Response Fund, helping small farmers recover lost crops and livestock.

“It appears that we will enter a more benign weather phase, once the flood threat diminishes over the next day or so,” saud Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda during a press conference “We do not see a significant threat for the next week and half. Beyond that, it is difficult to predict.”

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. 

Miami Open: Jessica Pegula advances to Round of 16 be beating Lylah Fernandez

Ranked No. 4, Jessica Pegula says the match was "some of the best tennis I've played."

While most media focused on Alexandra Eala's remarkable run at the Miami Open, today featured a match between Korean American Jessica Pegula and Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez with Pegula advancing to the next round.

The high-stakes matchup showcased two of the most prominent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) figures in professional tennis. Pegula, whose mother was born in Seoul, dominated the baseline to secure a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Fernandez, whose father is of Ecuadorian descent and mother is of Filipino heritage.

AAPI excellence on Center Court

The world No. 4 proved why she is a perennial contender, using her flat, powerful groundstrokes to keep Fernandez on the defensive. Her win marks the sixth straight year she has reached the Miami Open Round of 16.

Pegula described her game as "some of the best tennis I've played."

Despite the scoreline, the young Filipino Canadian star showed flashes of the grit that took her to the 2021 US Open final. However, she struggled to find answers for Pegula’s nearly flawless first serve, which saw the American win 88% of those points.

While the tournament has been abuzz with the historic performance of Filipina 20-year old Eala, this clash between Pegula and Fernandez underscores the growing depth and influence of the AAPI community at the highest levels of the sport.

Pegula now moves on to face No. 35-ranked Jaqueline Cristian on Monday, 7 p.m.

Quick exit for Naomi Osaka

It’s a tough beat for Naomi Osaka and her legions of fans. The four-time Slam champ is officially out of the 2026 Miami Open after a stunner in the second round.

Despite coming in as the 16th seed, Osaka couldn't find her rhythm against Talia Gibson, an Aussie qualifier who took the match 7–5, 6–4. Naomi’s serve was there—she hammered home 13 aces—but she just couldn't break Gibson, going 0-for-4 on break chances.

But the real story is what happened off the court. After the loss, fan favorite Osaka  got real about the "dilemma" she’s facing. She admitted it’s getting harder and harder to leave her daughter, Shai, for the grind of the tour. She basically told reporters that if she isn't winning, the sacrifice of being away from home isn't worth it.

Add in a lingering back injury that forced her to pull out of the Charleston Open, and the retirement rumors are starting to swirl again. For now, the plan is to rest up and try to regroup for the clay-court season in Europe.

FYI: In the Miami Open's round of 16, the Philippines' Alexandre Eala meets Karolina Muchova Monday, March 23, 11 a.m. EDT.

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. 

Filipino tennis star makes the round of 16 in Miami

The Philippines flag was unfurled after Alex Eala clinced her victory.

The "Eala Effect" is officially back in Florida! Alex Eala of the Philippines just punched her ticket to the Round of 16 at the Miami Open, taking down Poland’s Magda Linette in a gritty 6-3, 7-6(2) battle.

After taking the first set, 6-3, Eala, ranked No 39, found herself ins a battle of resilience in the second set. After Linette gained a 5-4 lead. Eala responded with a 15-shot rally where she was running from corner to corner and ending when Linette tried a drop shot but the fast-reacting Filipino was able to return the ball for the win to tie the set.

This upcoming Round of 16 clash will be the first head-to-head meeting with Karolina Muchova, the tournament's 13th seed. Muchova brings a crafty, all-court game that will be a massive litmus test for the 20-year-old Filipina. Eala is currently hunting for her first career WTA win against a Czech opponent, losing 11 matches to the well-trained Czech tennis pipeline.

        FYI: Alexandre Eala meets Karolina Muchova Monday, March 23, 11 a.m. EDT.

It was a year ago when Eala burst into the tennis world, usually dominated by players from Europe, the US and Australia by reaching the final four stage of the tournament.

Eala reached the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open before losing to Jessica Pegula, 7-6, 5-7, 6-3. This historic run made her the first Filipino tennis player to reach the final four of a WTA 1000 event, having defeated top players including Grand Slam winners Madison Keys and Iga Świątek, rising from world number 140 to 75.

She entered this year's Miami Open ranked No. 29 earning her a first-round bye. In her first match, Eala beat Laura Siegemund in a marathon three sets.

For the FilAm community and the massive "Pinoy Power" contingent in South Florida, this win felt like a statement. Every time Eala stepped to the line, the chants of "Laban!" (Fight!)  echoed through the stands. It’s that unwavering Filipino support that Eala often credits as her "extra lung" during these deep tournament runs. Whether it’s at the Hard Rock Stadium or halfway across the world, the diaspora shows up, and Eala continues to carry that flag with massive pride.

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. 

Expansion, not job cuts: AAPI CEO says American bosses miss the point of AI

In the latest dispatches from the front lines of the silicon revolution, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is challenging the boardroom status quo with a message that’s as much about human potential as it is about processing power. 

Huang, who famously co-founded NVIDIA at a San Jose Denny’s in 1993, is calling out executives who see artificial intelligence merely as a tool for cutting heads. To Huang, using the "most powerful tool in human history" simply to reduce headcount isn't just a strategy—it’s a profound "lack of imagination." He argues that visionary leaders should be looking to do more with the talent they have, rather than figuring out how to do the same with less.

This philosophy of resilience and expansion is deeply rooted in Huang’s own journey as a Taiwanese immigrant. Arriving in the US at age nine with limited English, he was mistakenly sent to a Kentucky reform academy where he spent his days cleaning toilets and dodging bullies. 

Those early years, followed by graveyard shifts as a dishwasher and waiter at Denny's, forged the "grit" he now demands from modern leadership. 

For Huang, who survived two near-bankruptcies at NVIDIA by betting everything on unproven tech, the current AI boom is a moment for expansion, not retreat. He views every company as a future "AI factory," one that requires leaders to foster a "messy garden" of innovation rather than maintaining strict command and control.

Huang’s advice to CEOs is to embrace a future where human employees are amplified by "digital humans" and AI agents. 

He predicts a workforce where the metric of success shifts; for example, he suggests that if high-level engineers aren't consuming half their salary’s worth in AI tokens, they aren't working at their full potential. 

Ultimately, he believes that while AI will transform every role, it will be a net job creator—as long as leaders have the courage to stop obsessing over immediate ROI and start investing in the "superhuman" capabilities AI offers their teams.

This philosophy of resilience and expansion is deeply rooted in Huang’s own journey as a Taiwanese immigrant. Arriving in the US at age nine with limited English, he was mistakenly sent to a Kentucky reform academy where he spent his days cleaning toilets and dodging bullies. 

Those early years, followed by graveyard shifts as a dishwasher and waiter at Denny's, forged the "grit" he now demands from modern leadership. 

For Huang, who survived two near-bankruptcies at NVIDIA by betting everything on unproven tech, the current AI boom is a moment for expansion, not retreat. He views every company as a future "AI factory," one that requires leaders to foster a "messy garden" of innovation rather than maintaining strict command and control.

Crucially, but overlooked by most media, Huang’s vision extends beyond the engineering lab and into the heart of the humanities. He has recently suggested that the "digital divide" is closing because AI allows anyone to communicate with a computer using their native tongue—the ultimate "human language." 

For the philosopher, the historian, and the artist, AI acts as a bridge, translating complex data into the narratives and ethical frameworks that make a society worth living in. 

By automating the drudgery of research and data sorting, AI frees the humanistic mind to focus on empathy, moral reasoning, and the "why" behind our progress. 

In Huang’s world, a technologically advanced society is hollow without the context provided by those who study the human condition; AI simply gives them a more powerful megaphone to ensure the future remains deeply, fundamentally human.

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. 

In the latest dispatches from the front lines of the silicon revolution, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is challenging the boardroom status quo with a message that’s as much about human potential as it is about processing power. Huang, who famously co-founded NVIDIA at a San Jose Denny’s in 1993, is calling out executives who see artificial intelligence merely as a tool for cutting heads. 

To Huang, using the most powerful tool in human history simply to reduce headcount isn't just a strategy—it’s a profound "lack of imagination." He argues that visionary leaders should be looking to do more with the talent they have, rather than figuring out how to do the same with less.

This philosophy of resilience and expansion is deeply rooted in Huang’s own journey as a Taiwanese immigrant. Arriving in the U.S. at age nine with limited English, he was mistakenly sent to a Kentucky reform academy where he spent his days cleaning toilets and dodging bullies. Those early years, followed by graveyard shifts as a dishwasher and waiter at Denny's, forged the "grit" he now demands from modern leadership. For Huang, who survived two near-bankruptcies at NVIDIA by betting everything on unproven tech, the current AI boom is a moment for expansion, not retreat. He views every company as a future "AI factory," one that requires leaders to foster a "messy garden" of innovation rather than maintaining strict command and control.

Crucially, Huang’s vision extends beyond the engineering lab and into the heart of the humanities. He has recently suggested that the "digital divide" is closing because AI allows anyone to communicate with a computer using their native tongue—the ultimate "human language." For the philosopher, the historian, and the artist, AI acts as a bridge, translating complex data into the narratives and ethical frameworks that make a society worth living in. By automating the drudgery of research and data sorting, AI frees the humanistic mind to focus on empathy, moral reasoning, and the "why" behind our progress. In Huang’s world, a technologically advanced society is hollow without the context provided by those who study the human condition; AI simply gives them a more powerful megaphone to ensure the future remains deeply, fundamentally human.

Would you like to see a breakdown of AI research tools specifically designed for humanities scholars and ethical AI development?

Tennis star's 'Eala Effect' brings the Filipino Diaspora back to the Miami Open

Alexandra Eala''s takes time to thank her Filipino fans.

Tennis sensation Alexandra  Eala beat the legendary Novak Djokovic, former No. 1 tennis player. Not on the courts but online.

It’s time to stop calling Alex Eala a "rising star" and start calling her what she actually is: a global phenomenon.

As we roll through March 2026, the 20-year-old Filipina sensation isn't just winning matches; she’s recalibrating the entire ecosystem of professional tennis. From the hard courts of Melbourne to the desert heat of Indian Wells, the "Eala Effect" is in full swing, and the tennis establishment is scrambling to keep up with the sheer magnitude of her orbit.

She took another step towards superstar status Thursday at the Miami Open with a grueling three-hour, 20-minute marathon victory over German veteran Laura Siegemund, winning 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-3. 

But let’s be real — the real show was in the stands. The turnout of Filipino American  fans was absolutely unprecedented for an opening-round match, with a sea of Pinoy pride turning the atmosphere electric. It’s official: whenever Eala steps on court, the local fans give her a home-court advantage.

She's learning to handle hernew-found fame. "It was a little surprising, definitely, because it’s hard to see yourself as that ‘famous’ when you have just been you for your whole life.

“But once you get past that, you learn to really enjoy it because the atmosphere is really different when there’s a full stadium.”

It was a year ago at the Miami tournament when Eala broke into the professional ranks when she began attracting attention when she basically came out of nowhere to gain the reputation as a giant-slayer. She defeated three consecutive Grand Slam champions—Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and the signature win of her career, a stunning upset of world No. 2 Iga Świątek.

She became the first Philippines-born player to ever reach a WTA 1000 semifinal and enters Miami ranked No. 39 in the world.

She followed up Miami with a debut at the US Open where it first became apparent to a national audience that she had a strong fan base. Filipinos in New York, especially the nearby Queens borough where Little Manila is located, jammed the courts where she was playing to cheeer her on, giving her the emotional lift of being the hometown favorite.

Her genuine reaction using a Filipino exclamation when she won her first match at the US Open last summer created a viral meme and adopted and popularized by TikTok singers and social media influencers.

Her future is bright

Industry insiders and former ATP mainstays like Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson have been caught in a heated debate lately over a question that would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago: Is Eala a bigger box-office draw than heavyweights like Coco Gauff or Aryna Sabalenka? The numbers don’t lie.

What’s truly surprising the tennis world isn't just her grit on the court—it’s the math. During the 2026 Australian Open, digital engagement for her pre-tournament presser (roughly 173,000 views) nearly doubled the numbers for former No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic. Think about that: a 20-year-old from Quezon City is out-drawing the greatest of all time in the digital arena.

Alex Eala's "rock-star" popularity has surprised the tennis world.

Tournament directors in Abu Dhabi and Doha have been forced to tear up their schedules, moving Eala’s matches from the back courts to center stage just to safely house the throngs of fans. ESPN has even likened her traveling gallery to Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour," noting that fans are braving freezing midnight temperatures just for a glimpse of the left-hander from Quezon City.

This "rockstar" status is backed by some serious corporate muscle, most notably from Nike. The Swoosh didn't just sign her; they've made her a centerpiece of their global marketing strategy, recognizing that her appeal transcends the baseline. By positioning Eala alongside icons like Naomi Osaka, Nike is betting big on her as the face of a new, diverse generation of athletes.

Marketing gurus are already drawing parallels between Eala and the legendary Li Na, noting that Alex is single-handedly unlocking the Southeast Asian market—a sleeping giant in the tennis world. This isn't just about selling sneakers; it's about a massive cultural shift where a Pinay is the one setting the trends on and off the court.

While her digital footprint is staggering—her Australian Open press conference views reportedly doubled those of Novak Djokovic—she’s earning just as much respect for her poise.

Even in high-stakes losses to top-tier opponents, Eala’s maturity and sportsmanship have made her a locker-room favorite, proving she has the temperament to match her hype.

Back home in the Philippines, the impact is nothing short of a revolution. We’re seeing a legitimate tennis frenzy that has left Manila’s public courts packed to capacity and rackets flying off the shelves. This "Eala-mania" culminated earlier this year when the Philippines hosted its first-ever WTA 125 tournament, a milestone that seemed like a pipe dream before Alex broke through.

Coming up next

Her next match is Saturday where she will meet a familiar foe, Magda Linette, ranked No. 50 in the world. Linette and Eala are no strangers to each other. The Polish veteran won their first two encounters—at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open (7-6, 6-1) and the 2025 Nottingham Open (6-4, 6-3).

However, Eala claimed the most recent meeting earlier this year, defeating Linette 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in Aukland, New Zealand.

This "Eala-mania" culminated earlier this year when the Philippines hosted its first-ever WTA 125 tournament, a milestone that seemed like a pipe dream before Alex broke through. She isn't just playing for herself anymore; she’s carrying the aspirations of an entire nation and the millions of Filipinos around the world on her shoulders, and so far, she hasn’t missed a beat.

Eala isn’t just climbing the WTA rankings; she’s hijacking the sport’s global radar. If you’re looking for the next big thing in tennis, stop looking at the traditional powerhouses and start looking at the Philippines.

In an interview with The Times, Eala expressed her gratitude for the support she receives  from the tennis world, but especially the cheers from her kababayan.

“It’s such a good thing to have and I’m super grateful,” Eala, said in an interview with The Times . “I’m happy that (Filipinos) are being exposed to tennis. At the end of the day, it’s just a way for us to bond and show pride in our culture. We’re very proud of where we come from. I haven’t seen that shared sense of pride in a lot of other communities, so that’s one of the things that makes us special."

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. 

The death toll of Asian immigrants in ICE Custody is growing: Part 2 of 2

Family and supporters of Parady La demand answers after he died while detained by ICE.

The numbers are in, and they paint a grim picture of what’s happening in our detention centers. In what’s being called the deadliest year in two decades, at least 12 Asian immigrants have lost their lives while in the custody of federal agents between 2024 and early 2026.

ICE agents arrested Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal around 7 a.m. on Friday, March 13, outside his apartment in Richardson, Texas. His family reported that masked agents detained him as he was preparing to drive his children to school.

“His children watched as he was surrounded and taken away,” the family said in a statement. “That moment will stay with them forever.”

A day after being arrested, Paktyawal died, of "unknown causes," according to an ICE press release. He was the twelth Asian to die while in ICE custody.

“We cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man,” his family said.

        RELATED: ICE's wide net catching Asian Americans: Part 1 of 2

ICE described him as "illegal criminal alien,"  but he was never charged and never convicted, say his supporters.

Paktyawal was a refugee who fought for 10 years with US Special Forces in Afghanistan. When the US left Afghanistan, he and his family were allowed to apply for asylum.

The Trump regime has effectively shut refugee pathways for Afghans, curtailing the US refugee programe and instead giving preference to white South Africans.

The administration also ended temporary protected status for Afghans, leaving an estimated 11,700 Afghans in the US without protection from deportation, according to the organisation Global Refuge.

Refugee dies after being abandoned by ICE

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was one of the latest victims of federal agents carrying out the orders of Donald Trump and his hatchet man Stephen Miller.Shah Alam sas released from custody on Feb. 19. A Rohingya refugee with legal status in the United States, his body was found Feb. 26. According to publicly available reporting and information provided by his family, Shah Alam was nearly blind, did not speak English, and was unable to independently navigate transportation after being released miles from his family residence.

“Nurul Amin Shah Alam should be alive today. He is dead because US Border Patrol agents abandoned a blind refugee miles away from home and then lied to cover it up. Video footage proves that Mr. Alam was left outside of a coffee shop that was closed, not a ‘warm, safe location’ as they claimed," said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

"The Department of Homeland Security’s cruelty, callousness, and indifference to human life is absolutely sickening," the New York congressmember continued. "As members of Congress, we demand answers and justice for his family. The Department of Homeland Security must be held accountable.” 

The death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal and Shah Alam are just the latest deaths of Asian American detainees in the first two months of 2026. The other two deaths this year so far include: 

• Lorth Sim (59, Cambodia): Passed away Feb. 16, 2026, at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana.
• Parady La (46, Cambodia): Died Jan. 9, 2026, in Philadelphia while reportedly being treated for drug withdrawal.

Asian American deaths in Trump's first year

These aren’t just statistics; they are members of our community whose stories were cut short. Eight other Asians died while in custody of Donald Trump's immigration enforcement officers in 2024 and 2025:

• Shiraz Fatehali Sachwani (61, Pakistan): Died Dec. 6, 2025.

• Kai Yin Wong (63, China): Died Oct. 25, 2025, in San Antonio after heart surgery complications.

• Huabing Xie (53, China): Died Sept. 29, 2025, after a seizure at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in California.

• Chaofeng Ge (32, China): Died Aug. 5, 2025, in Pennsylvania; a death his family is still seeking answers for through a lawsuit.

• Tien Xuan Phan (55, Vietnam): Died July 19, 2025, following a hospitalization for seizures.

• Nhon Ngoc Nguyen (Vietnam): Died in 2025.

• Jaspal Singh (57, India) and Pankaj Karan Singh Kataria (60, India): Both died in late 2024.

Community advocates like Stop AAPI Hate point to medical neglect and language barriers as a "human rights crisis" within these facilities.

An Asian American mother joins a memorial for her son and others who died in ICE custody.

The scale of the surge

The crackdown hasn't just been about those who have died; the entire system has seen a massive ramp-up:

• Asians in custody: As of early 2026, the number of Asian immigrants held in detention has ballooned. Between January and mid-October 2025 alone, 7,069 Asian individuals were detained. This is part of a broader trend where total ICE detention reached a record high of over 68,000 people by February 2026.

• Already deported: From January 20 to mid-October 2025, 2,631 Asian individuals were removed from the country.

• Who is being targeted?: Despite the rhetoric of targeting "criminals," recent data shows a "supermajority"—between 74% and 84%—of Asian detainees in 2025 had no prior criminal convictions. The top countries of origin for these arrests include China (30%), India (28%), and Vietnam (15%).

Southeast Asians targeted

In the wake of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS, Asian Americans and Asian immigrants in Minneapolis are living in fear, afraid to leave their homes without carrying their passports and worried they could be detained or deported at any moment. ICE agents have reportedly asked Minnesota residents to tell them where their Asian neighbors live.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is home to one of the largest Hmong American communities, most of whom are refugees because their family members aided or fought for US forces in the Vietnam War. As legal refugees, they were given Temporary Protected Status visas.

“Southeast Asian communities are being systematically targeted. Immigration enforcement knows where they live. People are not getting the medical support they need, workers are refusing to go to work, and families are living in hiding. Survivors of violence and refugees who fled war are being retraumatized. That’s no way to live,” said Xay Yang, executive director of Transforming Generations.

“Southeast Asian American communities have been dealing with ICE violence for decades, with more than 15,000 people living under deportation orders to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. We know that the problem isn’t new—but the scale is. In 2025 alone, nearly 900 individuals were deported to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, compared to an average of about 90 per year between 1996 and 2023," said Quyen Đình, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC).

“My people consider being Hmong to be synonymous with being free, because of our resilience and survival, despite a history of persecution from ruling governments in the many places where we have migrated for thousands of years. It deeply saddens me that Trump and federal leaders are choosing to mark the 250 years of our beautiful country by undermining our democracy and taking away our human and civil rights,” said Minnesota State Representative Liz Lee, Secretary of the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators. 

“For the Karen communities in my district and across Minnesota, the loss of Temporary Protected Status and the burden of immigration re-vetting interviews are placing immense strain on families. We will continue to organize and gather to ensure that all of our legal rights are observed and respected.”

View from the edge

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) racial profiling and aggressive enforcement practices have resulted in trauma, family separation, and death. 

2025 was recorded as the deadliest year for ICE in over two decades, with deaths nearly tripling from 2024 as the detained population reached record highs of over 68,000.

“Forty people have died in ICE custody since the President took office last year. These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader pattern of lawlessness and moral decay that has come to define the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and it is our communities that are suffering,” said Meng. 

“We must rein in DHS and take every action to protect our communities, like passing the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act, which would end the deportation of Southeast Asian American refugees and provide a pathway for them to live and work in the United States. CAPAC is proud to champion this legislation.”

It's only March and we have nine more months to go. At the current rate, we are at a looking at 12 more Asian American deaths as a result of ICE activities by year's end. How many more must die before someone is held accountable?

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.