An Asian pope?
A Filipino cardinal emerges as a top contender to become the first Asian pope.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #60
A Filipino cardinal emerges as a top contender to become the first Asian pope. The Dalai Lama honors Pope Francis following his death at age 88. An Indonesian father detained by ICE faces deportation after a quiet visa revocation. Shohei Ohtani announces the birth of his first child. Plus: Arcadia names its first Asian American woman mayor, and “The Joy Luck Club” cast prepares for a rare reunion.
An Asian pope? Filipino cardinal emerges as frontrunner for papacy
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, has emerged as among the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis following the pontiff’s death on Monday. If elected, Tagle would become the first Asian pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
Continuing Francis’ legacy
Tagle, often referred to as the “Asian Francis” for his humility and progressive stance on key social issues, is currently one of the top frontrunners. The secret conclave of 135 eligible cardinals is set to convene in May to elect the next pope.
Known for his inclusive views, he has advocated for a more compassionate approach toward LGBT individuals and divorced Catholics. His rising prominence was marked by his tribute to Pope Francis, quoting a line from a 2015 speech: “All I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all in my silent heart.”
Tagle’s journey
Born in Manila in 1957, Tagle was ordained a priest at age 24. He earned his doctorate in sacred theology in Washington, D.C. and returned to the Philippines to teach and lead seminary formation. He became bishop of Imus in 2001 and archbishop of Manila in 2011. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal.
Throughout his ministry, Tagle has been recognized for his pastoral warmth, academic rigor and tireless service to marginalized communities. He is also known for rejecting clerical privilege — often riding jeepneys in Manila, living simply and engaging directly with laypeople.
Tagle’s potential election would mark a historic shift in the Church’s leadership toward the global south. Asia, home to over 141 million Catholics, has never produced a pope, despite being the site of some of the Church’s fastest-growing communities.
Looking ahead to the conclave
The conclave is scheduled for May, with 135 cardinals expected to vote. Vatican rules require a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. While no single candidate dominates, observers note that with over two-thirds of voting cardinals appointed by Francis, the next pope is likely to uphold his vision of a church that emphasizes mercy, outreach and social justice.
“Overall, I think the fact that by my count over 100 of the eligible papal electors were appointed by Francis could have a profound effect on the outcome,” Cristina Traina, a professor at Fordham University, told Newsweek. “That is, we may not get a pendulum swing away from Francis' priorities.”
The Dalai Lama honors Pope Francis
Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, paid tribute to Pope Francis on Monday, following the pontiff’s death at age 88. In a statement from his residence in Dharamsala, northern India, the Buddhist leader offered prayers and conveyed his condolences. Buddhist monks in Dharamsala's main Tibetan temple also planned a memorial service in honor of the late pope, according to an official release from the Dalai Lama’s office.
A message of reverence
The Dalai Lama’s message emphasized the deep respect he held for Pope Francis, praising his legacy of service and simplicity. “Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others … consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life,” the Dalai Lama stated. “The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”
Penpa Tsering, head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, added that the Pope had “embodied the true spirit of compassion and universal brotherhood. In these difficult times, we stand in solidarity with the global Catholic community in mourning this profound loss.”
A legacy in transition
Pope Francis’s passing comes during a pivotal time for the Tibetan community, as the Dalai Lama approaches his 90th birthday in July. The aging Nobel laureate has begun encouraging Tibetans to consider the future of his institution, hinting that a decision regarding his succession may be imminent.
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959, renounced political authority in 2011 but remains the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism. He has indicated that any successor must be “born in the free world” and recognized through traditional spiritual methods — not political appointment.
This is a pressing concern among exiled Tibetans, many of whom fear that China may install its own successor in an attempt to exert further control over Tibet, which it occupied in 1950. Chinese authorities are believed to have detained the Dalai Lama’s chosen candidate, who has not been seen since. Beijing has previously appointed rival religious leaders, such as its own state-backed Panchen Lama and continues to call the India-based Tibetan government a “puppet administration.”
Indonesian father faces deportation after secret visa revocation
An Indonesian man is now facing deportation as he remains detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after agents secretly revoked his student visa and arrested him at his Minnesota workplace on March 27.
“Public safety threat”
Aditya Harsono, 33, came to the U.S. from Indonesia in 2015 on a student visa and earned three degrees, including an MBA from Southwest Minnesota State University. He was working as a supply chain manager at a Marshall hospital when ICE agents allegedly lured him to the basement and arrested him without warning.
The Department of Homeland Security cited a 2022 misdemeanor graffiti conviction as grounds for revoking his visa four days before his arrest, calling him a “public safety threat.” Federal officials also referenced his 2021 arrest at a George Floyd protest, though those charges were dismissed “in the interest of justice.”
What his family is saying
Harsono’s wife, Peyton, said her husband is being portrayed as a “horrible, dangerous person.” The couple shares an 8-month-old daughter, Adalet, who recognizes her father on phone calls. Since her husband’s detention and termination from work, Peyton has become the family’s sole provider. Amid their plight, she set up a GoFundMe page to ask the public for help.
“I am struggling to provide for her [their daughter] while enduring this overwhelming emotional and financial burden on my own,” Peyton wrote. “We are in danger of losing our apartment, no longer have health insurance, along with other bills and necessities that are needed when caring for a baby.”
The big picture
Harsono’s case is part of a broader trend targeting international students. Over 900 students at 128 universities have reportedly seen their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since last month.
Immigration Judge Sarah Mazzie recently rejected a motion to terminate Harsono’s case on humanitarian grounds. He remains in Kandiyohi County jail awaiting his next hearing on May 1.
Kash Patel under scrutiny for allegedly using FBI jet for sports events, personal travel
FBI Director Kash Patel, who was sworn into the role on Feb. 21, is facing scrutiny for allegedly using government aircraft to attend sporting events and visit his girlfriend.
Flights in question
Patel used Department of Justice aircraft for multiple high-profile appearances, including flying on Air Force One to Miami for a UFC event with President Donald Trump on April 12, according to The New York Times. He also attended two NHL games earlier this month: one in Washington on April 4 and another in Long Island on April 6. It’s unclear whether Patel used government aircraft to watch these events, but a Boeing 757 owned by the DOJ landed at JFK Airport shortly before the April 6 game and departed soon after it ended.
The Times also reported three round-trip flights on a DOJ-owned Gulfstream to Nashville, where Patel’s girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, resides. While at least one Nashville trip included an official FBI business meeting with Tennessee senators and local law enforcement, the purpose of the others remains unclear.
Criticism
FBI directors are required under executive branch policy to use government aircraft for all travel to maintain access to secure communications. When traveling for personal reasons, however, they must reimburse the government the equivalent price of a commercial ticket — significantly less than the actual cost of operating such high-end jets.
The FBI has not commented on Patel’s travel arrangements. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for an investigation into Patel’s “apparent misuse” of taxpayer money in a statement to CBS News. Christopher O’Leary, a former FBI senior counterterrorism official, also criticized Patel’s use of the planes, calling it “a bad leadership example.”
Controversial tenure
Patel’s approach marks a stark contrast to his predecessors, who typically worked with minimal publicity. Beyond his travel habits, Patel has made controversial personnel changes, including suspending analyst Brian Auten, whom he previously named as a “deep state” actor in his book “Government Gangsters.” In late February, Patel was quietly removed as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll appointed as his replacement.
Despite these controversies, Patel recently celebrated the FBI’s recent arrest of Harpreet Singh, an alleged Babbar Khalsa International operative who entered the U.S. illegally and is linked to multiple terror attacks in Punjab, India. “Justice will be done,” Patel wrote on X.
The FBI has reportedly requested information about purchasing another jet for “required-use executive travel,” even as Republican senators who once criticized similar travel by previous directors remain silent about Patel’s usage.
Arcadia swears in its 1st woman Asian American mayor
Sharon Kwan made history on April 15 by becoming Arcadia, California’s first woman Asian American mayor.
About Kwan: Kwan, who was previously elected to represent District 2 on the Arcadia City Council, succeeds Michael Cao, who served as mayor since July 2024. Before joining the council, Kwan led Arcadia’s Rancho Santa Anita Property Owners Association for a decade. A 20-year Arcadia resident and mother of four, Kwan is a small business owner who entered the financial services industry in the 1990s when few women of color were represented. She holds a Bachelor of Science from UC Riverside, where she graduated cum laude and was awarded “Most Outstanding Student.”
Reactions: At her swearing-in ceremony, Kwan said she is “humbled to serve as both a leader and a voice” for the city. “I want every family to find not just shelter in Arcadia, but a community that honors their story, respects their hard work and helps build the future their children deserve,” she said. City officials also highlighted that Kwan — who is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese — is “uniquely positioned to build connections across all walks of life” given her deep community roots and appreciation for diversity.
Kwan will focus on public safety, transparency and fiscal stewardship during her nearly 10-month mayoral term.
Myanmar’s capital is having to be redrawn after devastating earthquake
Myanmar’s military rulers have announced plans to redraw the layout of the nation’s capital city, Nay Pyi Taw, after last month’s catastrophic earthquake caused widespread destruction.
Catch up
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay on March 28, followed by a 6.7 magnitude aftershock just 12 minutes later. As of Sunday, the death toll has reached 3,735, with 5,108 injured and 120 people still missing across six affected regions. Local fire brigades and international rescue teams have rescued 653 survivors trapped under collapsed buildings while recovering 762 bodies.
The region has frequently experienced significant seismic activity, with six quakes greater than 7.0 magnitude occurring within 250 kilometers of the March 28 epicenter since 1900. The impact was felt as far away as Bangkok, approximately 1,000 kilometers southeast of the epicenter, where infrastructure damage was reported. In Nay Pyi Taw, approximately 70% of government buildings were severely damaged, with most structures still in ruins as repair work has yet to begin.
Devastating impact
NASA analysis shows the earthquake caused the ground to shift more than three meters in certain areas along the Sagaing Fault, with total displacement exceeding six meters in some locations. The resulting surface rupture extends approximately 550 kilometers from north of Mandalay to south of Nay Pyi Taw, making it “one of the longest documented strike-slip fault-induced surface ruptures on record.”
Several government ministries, including Foreign Affairs and Tourism, have relocated to the former capital Yangon, which is 366 kilometers away. Other departments have moved to open-air “hotai” structures with steel frames. Meanwhile, the National Museum in Nay Pyi Taw is working desperately to preserve thousands of artifacts, manuscripts and books.
The big picture
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has attributed building collapses to construction on soft soil and mandated earthquake-resistant designs for reconstruction. Meanwhile, Thailand continues experiencing aftershocks, with 15 quakes recorded across Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and along the Myanmar border in a single 24-hour period on Sunday. Seven quakes subsequently struck the region early on Monday, with six centered in Myanmar and one in Pai District of Mae Hong Son.
Relief efforts continue as international aid arrives. A 20-day ceasefire was also declared by Myanmar’s military council on April 2 to facilitate humanitarian operations.
U.S. residents can assist Myanmar earthquake victims by donating to organizations like GlobalGiving and their Myanmar and Thailand Earthquake Relief Fund for emergency shelter and food through vetted partners. Contributions may also be made to the UN Crisis Relief’s Myanmar Earthquake Appeal for rapid essentials like water and shelter.
Usha Vance wears Asian-inspired dress in India visit
Usha Vance wore an Asian-inspired dress by an Indian designer during the family’s official visit to India this week.
The family look
The Indian American Second Lady donned a dress by London-based designer Saloni Lodha that features a mandarin-style collar and column skirt, complemented by a white blazer and gold sandals. The bright red outfit appeared to draw inspiration from traditional Asian silhouettes, reflecting her cultural heritage.
The Vance children also embraced Indian traditions, with sons Ewan and Vivek wearing kurta pyjamas and daughter Mirabel donning an anarkali suit. The family received traditional flower garlands with red, orange and white blooms during their visit to New Delhi’s Akshardham Temple.
Why they’re in India
The family’s four-day trip serves both diplomatic and personal purposes. As Vice President J.D. Vance meets with Prime Minister Modi to discuss trade issues and potential tariffs affecting India’s agriculture and medical equipment industries, the visit also holds personal significance for Usha, whose parents immigrated from India’s Andhra Pradesh region.
Shohei Ohtani welcomes his first child
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani announced on Saturday that he and his wife, former professional basketball player Mamiko Tanaka, have welcomed their first child — a baby girl. Ohtani shared the news on Instagram alongside a photo of the newborn’s feet and the family dog.
The 30-year-old two-way star missed two games against the Texas Rangers after being placed on the paternity list Friday. He rejoined the team for Sunday’s 1-0 win. Ohtani, who is in his first season with the Dodgers after signing as a free agent, is currently batting .288 with six home runs.
Trailblazing actress Nancy Kwan reflects on breaking Hollywood barriers in the ‘60s
In her memoir “The World of Nancy Kwan” released Tuesday, 85-year-old actress Nancy Kwan delves into her experiences as a pioneering Asian presence in Hollywood during the 1960s.
On identity and representation: Born in Hong Kong to a Chinese father and English mother, Kwan was just 20 years old when she was thrust into an industry at a time when Asian roles were often portrayed by white actors in "yellowface" makeup.
In her memoir, the actress reflects on the 1955 film “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” where Jennifer Jones, a white actress, portrayed Eurasian character Dr. Han Suyin. Kwan candidly admits that, at the time, it didn't occur to her that the role should have been played by an Asian actress.
"I loved the movie, and honestly, it didn’t occur to me when I watched it that Dr. Suyin (who also wrote the autobiographical book on which the film is based) should have been played by an Asian,” Kwan writes. “I was blind to even the possibility because in those days, it just wasn’t done."
On her on-set challenges: Reflecting on her experiences, Kwan notes that modern film sets often employ intimacy coordinators to protect actors during sensitive scenes — a safeguard that was absent during her early career.
"The scene called for [Holden's] character, Robert Lomax, to angrily rip off my dress because he objected to Suzie's fussy Western attire, which she wore to prove her so-called sophistication," Kwan shares. “I was expected to follow the director's instructions. When I refused, crying because I was embarrassed to wear something so revealing, I was reminded that it was part of the job. Were they taking advantage of my youth and inexperience? Absolutely, but I didn't have a choice."
On breaking stereotypes: Kwan also touches on the complexities of portraying characters that embodied prevailing stereotypes of Asian women. While acknowledging the significance of being cast in lead roles for “The World of Suzie Wong” and “Flower Drum Song,” she candidly addresses the challenges these roles presented. She also notes that while acting as the submissive and exotic "Suzie Wong" archetype was limiting, these roles served as stepping stones that allowed her to challenge and redefine such portrayals over time.
“The Joy Luck Club” cast to reunite for cultural icon award in LA
The original cast of “The Joy Luck Club” will reunite on April 25 in Los Angeles for the Committee of 100’s annual Conference & Gala, where they will be honored with the cultural icon award. The event will feature a live conversation with the actresses, led by journalist and television personality Lisa Ling, and will take place at the Fairmont Century Plaza.
Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will present the award to the cast, which includes Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita and Ming-Na Wen — who portrayed the daughters in the landmark 1993 film. Based on Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, “The Joy Luck Club” was one of the first major Hollywood productions to center Asian American narratives and feature a predominantly Asian cast. Over 30 years later, the film remains a milestone in Asian American cinematic representation.
A sequel to “The Joy Luck Club” is currently in development, with original cast members returning to continue the story of the next generation.
How Michelle Zauner reclaimed her Korean heritage
Japanese Breakfast frontwoman Michelle Zauner recently opened up about how reconnecting with her Korean roots has shaped her creative work and personal growth. After years of global touring and success with her Grammy-nominated album Jubilee and bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart, Zauner spent a year living in South Korea to study the language and explore the cultural identity she once distanced herself from.
Zauner, who was born in Seoul and raised in Eugene, Oregon, described the move as a deeply personal journey. “After my mom died, there was this subconscious part of me that wanted to become the Korean daughter she always wanted me to be,” she said in an interview by designer Sandy Liang for Interview Magazine published on Friday. In her 20s, she began to feel the weight of the language and heritage she had once rejected growing up in a predominantly white community. Her upcoming second book will chronicle this year of immersion, language learning, and self-discovery.
“It was an eye-opening, beautiful and heartbreaking experience to learn that you can really do anything you want in this life at any age,” Zauner shared with W Magazine last month. “The sad part is, there’s just not a lot of time.” Now conversational in Korean, she says the journey helped her better understand her late mother and reclaim her cultural identity on her own terms.
Malaysia’s first K-pop idol is fluent in 4 different languages
Alicia Wong Lingling, or simply Lingling, 19, is set to make history as Malaysia’s first K-pop idol, debuting with entertainment label Leanbranding’s first global girl group in late May.
How she did it: The Klang, Selangor native first joined as a contestant on Mnet’s audition program “I-LAND2: N/a” last year, where she placed second in the preliminary voting rounds. Her multilingual abilities — being fluent in Chinese, English and Korean aside from Malay — earned her fan nicknames like “#PolyglotGenius” and “#WakeOneInterpreter” during the show. Prior to her breakthrough, Lingling trained at YG Entertainment, home of the returning Blackpink. On Friday, Leanbranding shared new profile images of Lingling on her newly launched Instagram account, where she wrote, “The stage I’ve longed for. Now, I begin again.”
What fans are saying: Fans have enthusiastically welcomed Lingling’s upcoming debut, with comments on her Instagram including: “Finally, you are back! Looking forward to your debut” and “I’ll never let her group flop, congrats Lingling and welcome back.” Leanbranding has confirmed that she will become the first Malaysian member of a K-pop girl group upon debut.
The exact date of the group’s debut remains unknown and will be revealed through Leanbranding’s social media channels in the coming weeks.