Trump bogeys as millions of Americans take to the streets in protest

While millions of Americans gathered for "No Kings" protests to voice their concerns about the Donald Trump regime’s policies, Donald Trump went golfing near Mar-a-Lago.

Organizers of the No Kings rallies and marches that took place Saturday say almost 8 million people, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, expressed their anger and frustration at Trump and at the same time celebrated the growing number of like-minded Americans. Organizers of the events say about 8 million people joined the No Kings movement.

The flagship rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, became a focal point for the national movement, drawing over 100,000 participants to the State Capitol. Prominent Asian American leaders and Minnesota lawmakers joined the list of speakers expressing  their concerns during the event.

• St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her: Mayor Her, who took office in early 2026 following her November 2025 election victory, emphasized the importance of community presence. She stated, "As your mayor, I will always show up... how we show up for people—in every corner of our city—matters". During debates, she has also criticized "performative" political stands that use taxpayer dollars without "moving the needle" on critical issues like gun control.

• US Representative Ilhan Omar: Speaking at the St. Paul rally, Congressmember  Omar told the crowd, "We do not cower to bullies," as she addressed the administration's "authoritarian" policies.

Here is the view from the edge in key local hubs:

San Francisco Bay Area: "Human Banners" and rapid response

The Bay Area was a focal point for the movement, with more than 60 events across the region.

Market Street: Organizers estimate 100,000 joined the march from the Bay to City Hall down the city's main street, Market Street to listen to speakers.

Ocean Beach: Demonstrators in San Francisco formed a massive "human banner" to protest the administration's policies.

San Jose: Thousands gathered downtown to speak out against intensified immigration raids. Organizers highlighted that for many Asian American families, the threat of ICE arrests at courts and check-ins has reached a tipping point, turning quiet concern into a public demand for safety.

Community Message: Leaders emphasized that the AAPI community cannot "sit on the sidelines" while federal agents invade neighborhoods.

Los Angeles & San Gabriel Valley: Protecting the neighborhood

In Southern California, the protest energy was deeply rooted in local immigrant neighborhoods.

SGV Hubs: Rallies swept through Monterey Park, Alhambra, and Pasadena, areas with high AAPI populations.

Mandarin-Language Support: Local organizers noted that the "unbearable" nature of recent federal raids has forced a shift toward communal defense, including the creation of new Mandarin-language family support networks to document enforcement activities.

Long Beach: A major gathering at Bixby Park saw residents protesting the deployment of National Guard troops and the use of militarized enforcement in their streets. 

New York City: Times Square and solidarity

In NYC, thousands of demonstrators from across the Tri-State area packed into Times Square and major intersections. [9, 10]

Economic & Social Issues: Protesters linked the "No Kings" message to broader concerns, including the rising cost of living and the ongoing war in Iran.

AAPI Advocacy: National groups like Stop AAPI Hate were visible partners, arguing that the administration’s "mass deportation agenda" is an attack on the civil rights of all Americans.

San Diego: Standing Against Detention

Further south, an estimated 40,000 people met in downtown San Diego, with additional rallies in Escondido and Carlsbad.

Focus on Detention: Many AAPI participants joined to protest the treatment of detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center and the sharp increase in local ICE arrests.

AANHPI voices from the "No Kings" Movement

In other parts of the country, AAPI officials took part in the demonstrations. Asian American demonstrators joined millions to protest the war in Iran and the rising cost of living. Some activists emphasized that the "No Kings" movement is a necessary step toward defending their neighbors and ensuring an America where all individuals have the opportunity to prosper.

Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu : “In this city of champions, in this city of immigrants and workers, in this hub of the universe and cradle of liberty, for the last 250 years and counting, in Boston, every day is no king’s day,” Wu told the demonstration attended by about 200,000.

New Jersey US Sen. AndyKim: The Korean American introduced his mother to the crowd at a No Kings event in Camden, N.J. “I wanted her to come here because I wanted her to see what it is that we’re trying to fight for,” he said.

US Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois stated: “There are no kings in America. Only gilded men we can topple again and again.”

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu: The state lawmaker was one of the organizers of the No Kings event in Austin, the state capitol. The event reflected a broader sense of frustration — not just with immigration raids, but also with issues like Medicaid cuts and the state's proposed THC ban. "We are happy to support Texans who have simply had enough," Wu said.

View from the Edge

While millions of people expressed their anger and frustration against Trump and hundreds of soldiers and sailors have been injured in an undeclared and unapproved ward in Iran, he spent the day at his golf course in Florida.

Since returning to office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has maintained a frequent golfing schedule:

Days Golfed: As of March 28, 2026, Trump has visited golf clubs 101 days out of his first 433 days in office.

Percentage of Term: This represents approximately 23.3% of his presidency spent at golf properties.

Total Cost to Taxpayers: Estimates indicate these outings have cost American taxpayers at least $110.6 million since his 2025 inauguration.

Cost Breakdown: Each trip to Mar-a-Lago is estimated to cost roughly $3.4 million in travel and security expenses.

And like the Epstein Files and his college grades, Trump's golf score remains undisclosed.

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. 

AAPI voices rise as Twin Cities become Graound Zero for 'No Kings' movement

 

The AAPI community isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s leading the charge. As the third national "No Kings" day of action approaches this Saturday, March 28, 2026, the movement to oppose authoritarian overreach and corruption has found its heartbeat in the Midwest.

For the first time, St. Paul, Minnesota, will serve as the nationwide flagship for the protests. While the movement anticipates over 3,000 local events across all 50 states, all eyes are on the Twin Cities, where the AAPI community is mobilizing at historic levels to protect their neighbors from what they describe as "authoritarian attacks".

Why the Twin Cities?

Organizers like Stop AAPI Hate and the Minnesota 50501 movement have highlighted a sharp rise in federal militarization in Minnesota. "With masked ICE agents invading our neighborhoods and ripping our families apart, there’s too much at stake for AAPI communities to sit on the sidelines," the coalition stated.

The flagship rally at the Minnesota State Capitol is expected to draw over 80,000 people, featuring a heavy AAPI presence from the local Hmong and Vietnamese communities who are directly impacted by recent immigration enforcement escalations.

Thereare plenty of reasons to join the events from  the way American democracy is being torn apart bit by bit, the US' dwindling standings in the international community,the mass pardons for the Jan. 6 insurrectionists,  the moral decay permeating throughout society best exemplified by the coverup surrounding the Epstein files and the way the regime encourages the division of the America by lies and hate.

Here the key reasons for AAPI participation

Protection of Immigrant Families: AAPI organizations like Stop AAPI Hate are highlighting the direct threat posed by "masked ICE agents" invading neighborhoods and "ripping families apart".

Opposition to "Authoritarian" Policies: The movement seeks to reject the "Trump regime's authoritarian attacks" on democracy and freedoms, specifically protesting mass deportation raids and militarized force.

Addressing Economic Concerns: Recent polling shows a strong majority of AAPI adults view the current administration as harmful to their economic well-being, specifically regarding high costs of living and healthcare.

Protecting Civil Rights: The events serve as a platform to speak out against restrictive voting laws, such as the "SAVE Act," and other attempts to limit free speech and constitutional rights.

St. Paul & Minneapolis Action Schedule

The flagship event on Saturday includes three major marches converging on the Capitol:

• 12:00 PM: Marches Begin
  • Harriet Island Regional Park: 1.5-mile march.
  • St. Paul College: 0.9-mile march.
  • Western Sculpture Park: 0.7-mile march.
• 1:00 PM: Pre-Rally Music featuring Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez.
• 2:00 PM: Main Program at the Capitol Mall with Senator Bernie Sanders and AAPI leader and state officials like Kaohly Her, St. Paul's first Hmong mayor.

AAPI participation across major cities

While St. Paul is the epicenter, AAPI activists are making their presence felt in other major hubs:

Los Angeles & San Francisco: Over 320 events are planned in California, with massive turnouts expected at L.A. City Hall and San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza. AAPI groups here are focusing on defending the right to unionize and ending "police crimes" in immigrant neighborhoods.

Chicago: AAPI members of the Coalition Against the Trump Agenda will march to defend reproductive rights and expand immigrant protections.

Atlanta: Thousands will gather at Memorial Drive Greenway for a 7-mile march to the Georgia State Capitol, emphasizing the fight against anti-Asian hate and foreign policy escalations.

New York City: Dozens of events are being staged throughout the city Saturday and Sunday. The main No Kings “mass march” will step off in Midtown at 2 p.m. Saturday, according to organizers. Demonstrators are expected to gather at Seventh Avenue and Central Park South. Organizers say it’s expected to wrap up around 4 p.m.

        FYI: To find a "No Kings" event near you, click here.

This is the third "No Kings" protest since Trump has taken office and is expected to be the largest drawing millions of Americans into the streets to protest the Trump regime's immigration and economic policies and worsening international relations, including the ongoing war against Iran.

The message from the AAPI community is clear: this country belongs to the people, not to kings or tyrants.

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. 

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.