Author Archives: Jeff

About Jeff

Jeff lives in Silicon Valley, and attempts to juggle marriage, fatherhood, computer systems research, running, and writing.

Is Pandan becoming the New Trendy Asian Flavor?

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Jeff

Is pandan becoming the new trendy Asian flavor?  Will it join matcha and ube in that category?  While the article that mentioned this focused on the Bay Area’s extended Silicon Valley region (which is heavily Asian), I am think this … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Local, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jamie Ding’s Jeopardy Winning Streak Ended: More Love and Hate

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Jeff

Jamie Ding’s Jeopardy Winning Streak ended this week. On the same day that I posted about his success too! As with when he was winning, his exit has generated both love and hate. What did he do that has drawn … Continue reading →

Posted in TV | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Love and Hate for Jeopardy Contestant Jamie Ding

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Jeff

Nothing increases Jeopardy ratings like a long winning streak.  Jeopardy contestant Jamie Ding has a current 31 game winning streak that has people taking notice, including Good Morning America, which interviewed him last week. Some of that notice is bad, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, TV | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Laufey’s Madwoman video with Alysa Liu and other hot Wasians

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Jeff

Laufey’s Madwoman video with Alysa Liu and other hot wasians is more than just a music video with attractive people. For those of you don’t know, Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey Lin Bing Jónsdótti has won two Grammys with her unique mix … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Asians and Asian Americans at Coachella 2026

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Jeff

Asians and Asian Americans at Coachella made quite a splash this past weekend.  Global girl group KATSEYE (missing Manon) performed Golden along with Huntr/X singers, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. I loved the harmonies in this version! BINI, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Local, Music, Southern California | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ruth Asawa’s Art Gets Permanent SF Home

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Jeff

While Ruth Asawa’s art has been touring across the world, from San Francisco to New York and now at the Bilbao Guggenheim in Portugal, the San Francisco artist has lacked a permanent home for the bulk of her work.  That … Continue reading →

Posted in Local, San Francisco Bay Area, The Arts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

John Doe Chinaman wins 2026 Bancroft History Award

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Jeff

The book John Doe Chinaman by Princeton Professor Beth Lew-Williams has won the 2026 Bancroft Prize. Columbia University gives the Bancroft Prize annually to distinguished works in either or both American history and Diplomacy. A quick synopsis of this book: … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Discrimination, History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ube’s Popularity Causing Shortages

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Jeff

A few years ago, I asked whether Ube is becoming ubiquitous.  The answer today is in some ways yes, yet in other ways no, with Ube’s popularity causing shortages in some Filipino American neighborhoods. A definite downside of mainstream representation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged | Leave a comment

Forgotten Island Movie to Explore Filipino Folklore

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jeff

As 8Asian writers, John and I get press releases from movie studios promoting their work. I was pleasantly surprised to see an announcement about Filipino culture being explored in the upcoming Forgotten Island movie. From the synopsis in the movie … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Larry Itliong’s Son Responds to Cesar Chavez Abuse Revelations

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Jeff

In the response to a New York Times investigation, Larry Itliong’s Son Responds to Cesar Chavez Abuse Revelations in this Emil Guillermo Op-Ed.  Jonny Itliong tells Guillermo: I’ve been fighting people for years who think Cesar Chavez was a saint.He … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Filipino American Stories at the Smithsonian: How Can You Forget Me

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Jeff

A martial arts teacher looking for practice space found 26 steamer trunks in the basement of an old building in Stockton.  These trunks belonged to former members of the Filipino American fraternal organization called Legionarios Del Trabajo. The contents of … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

KPop Demon Hunters Sequel Confirmed

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Jeff

Netflix has just confirmed that a KPop Demon Hunters Sequel is on its way! Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, co-directors and also screenwriters on the previous version, will return.  Maggie Kang says: “I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment