Meet the MetroVan Independent Team
LUISA MARSHALL
Co-Publisher, Advertising & Marketing Head
Luisa Marshall is a singer, performer, tribute artist, TV host, editor, scriptwriter, producer and anti-bullying advocate based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her internationally acclaimed and award winning Tina Turner Tribute show has enabled her to share her passion and love of the arts through music and often uses her talents to donate her time and efforts to various charitable causes all over the world. Her popular TV show, Simply the Best, is a local independent production on the Shaw Multicultural Channel and aims to inspire, educate and entertain Filipino and mainstream viewers alike.
Proud to be on the dean’s list, Luisa is a graduate of Manila’s prestigious University of Santo Thomas, with a degree in Bachelor of Arts major in Public Relations, Advertising and Journalism. In 2010, Luisa received one of the highest awards given to an alumni by her alma mater University of Santo Tomas, (Bachelor Of Arts) “AB Gantimpala Award” for Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment and Media for Overseas. The following year, Luisa flew to Las Vegas, Nevada, to accept an exemplary award, The MIDES Award 2011 (Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo), given by the Gracean Worldwide Inc. in recognition and appreciation of her dedication, commitment, leadership and exemplary service to benefit the underprivileged and the community following the Ignacian spirit of Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo (a Filipino religious sister of the Roman Catholic Church). In April 2012, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association chairman Ruben V. Nepales published his first book “My Filipino Connection, The Philippines in Hollywood” that highlights outstanding talents of Filipino heritage making it in the international stage. Luisa is so honoured to be one of the 23 international artists recognized and also one of the 2 Filipino Canadians highlighted. In 2013, Luisa was voted and became a recipient as RBC’s 25 Top Canadian Immigrants alongside two time NBA MVP Steve Nash. Her story of success in the field of entertainment overcoming big challenges is an inspiration to all. She is a big role model to all the young girls with big dreams and a very influential avid supporter of various diverse communities.
Email: luisa@metrovanindependent.com
Website: www.luisamarshall.com
STEVE MARSHALL
Co-Publisher
Steve Marshall was born and raised in Prince Rupert, BC. He is an entrepreneur; having started as an owner of a small arcade in Masset, BC. He has owned a bowling alley and a Chinese restaurant. He’s the proud owner of a pub & grill, liquor store, taxi, and an entertainment booking company. Steve is also a Red Seal Mechanic, producer, inventor of the Computer Hammer, and now a publisher of a newspaper. Back in the day when Steve had long hair and wore bell bottom jeans he used to race cars, fly airplanes, gliders, helicopters. He’s proud to say that he still plays drums like he told his mom he would.
YUL BARITUGO
Editorial Consultant
Yul Baritugo is a seasoned corporate communications specialist and a published journalist –- with several years of experience as a field reporter, and three years as a Business, Technology and International News Editor. Yul also had notable success in related fields such as directing visual production, advertising, re-branding and product copywriting.
Mr. Baritugo is part of a select group of business journalist considered as alumnus of the Asian Institute of Management AIM) under its LOBED program. He was at one time the communications consultant of SGV & Co., formerly an Arthur Andersen unit, Bank of Commerce and other enterprises in the Philippines. Earlier, he finished a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Silliman University, Philippines, and was a recipient of the University Quill Award for excellence in published writings. He was also editor of Sillimanian Magazine.
He received a US State Department grant, sometime in his professional career, for a middle management training at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA.
He was at one time, Vice President, Justice and Court Reporters Association (JUCRA) and later became president of the PCCG Press Corp. He is a member of the National Press Club and did a two-year paralegal course in Vancouver, British Columbia graduating with honors.
Yul was formerly copy editor with business editor – designation for Philippine Journalists Inc. publisher of the following newspapers –Times Journal, Midday Courier, People’s Journal, People’s Tonight, Makati Business Daily, Chinatown, and Women’s Journal Magazine. Some of these publications are now defunct but the Journal Group is now deemed a sister publication of the Philippines Daily Inquirer.
Yul was also an accredited freelance writer for Asia Pacific Business News, a trial Pacific Rim publication of The Financial Times of London.
Email: news@metrovanindependent.com
KIM MENDEZ
Arts Director
Kimi is a Jalipino and a recovering ice cream addict. She loves free food, feasting on veggie trays, the colour green and Jane Austen novels. When short on spare change, she and her best friend Kiwi the Les Paul are forced to take the stage and play music. When Kimi grows up she wants to be a Ninja Turtle or David Bowie.
BERT MORELOS
Photographer
Bert Morelos has been a Vancouverite since 1974. He had an extensive experience in the field of architecture, design, planning and project management. He was involved in hundreds of projects for over 35 years, which brought him all over the world. He is currently a Development Consultant with clients such as Stanley Kwok Consultants Inc. and Michael Geller, Architect. He dabbles into photography during his spare time.
Website: www.bertmorelos.blogspot.ca
DIONES LAGO
Photographer
When Diones first arrived in Canada and bought his first DSLR camera, it was the start of his dream of being a photographer – a dream he thought was impossible back in the Philippines. His camera is his companion everywhere he goes and he uses it as a tool to express his emotions through the photos he takes.