Luisa Marshall Bio

Luisa Marshall is an award winning performer, TV show host, producer, publisher, wife and mother of two. She performed on Oprah with Tina Turner and Cher being guests during “Oprah’s Biggest Show Ever” held at Caesar’s Palace. Luisa was also asked to be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in November of 2015 and danced alongside the popular host to Proud Mary.

In 2012, Luisa was featured in the book “My Filipino Connection, The Philippines in Hollywood,” written by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association chairman, Ruben V. Nepales, which highlighted outstanding talents of Filipino heritage making it in the international stage. The following year in 2013, she was voted as one of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants alongside two time NBA MVP Steve Nash. The year after that, she walked the red carpet when she was invited to the 2014 Golden Globe Awards.

Believing in the importance of giving back to her community, Luisa always finds time to use her many talents to help in anyway she can. After winning the World Rock ‘N Roll Tribute Championship in 2003 for her tribute to the Queen of Rock N Roll, Tina Turner, she set off on a grueling show tour for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in war-torn Bosnia and Sarajevo. The following year she performed for the Multinational Force and Observers in Israel and Egypt.

When Typhoon Ondoy struck the Philippines, she rallied her friends and was the main organizer of the 2009 “Celebrity Tributes for a Cause” in Vancouver, BC. More than $40,000 was raised and 100% of the proceeds went to the Canadian Red Cross for the Ondoy victims. When tragedy struck the Philippines yet again in 2013, Luisa again initiated, organized and performed in a fundraising concert called “Celebrity Tributes for a Cause – Canadian Red Cross for Haiyan Victims.” She teamed up with the Indo-Canadian community in Surrey and the highly successful event raised over $100,000 which was matched by both the Federal and Provincial governments. The event was attended by many dignitaries and high profile members from all different ethnicities.

Just this year, in an effort to further serve her community, Luisa started MetroVan Independent News along with her husband, Steve. Their newspaper empowers others to make a firm stand on community concerns and to promote a healthy and safe community environment for all to enjoy and be proud of.

Early Life

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Luisa aspired to become an actress as a young child. But at the age of 17, her attention quickly turned to singing when she landed the role of Mary Magdalene in her high school’s production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. With her newfound love of theatre it wasn’t long until she was cast in other musical productions alongside notable broadway stars like Bernardo Bernardo and Baby Barredo.

After high school, a career in show business was put on hold as she decided to attend the University of Santo Tomas. Luisa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Advertising, Broadcasting, and Public Relations. However, instead of following a career in newscasting or public relations, she followed her true passion — singing — which paved the way to performances with the popular group Ambivalent Crowd.

Hall of Fame

She eventually got together with her two female siblings to form Hall Of Fame, a top 40 cover band, that toured all over the world, including Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the Middle East, Canada and the U.S.. As the lead vocalist for Hall of Fame band she toured North America in the late 80′s.

The release of the band’s debut single, a remake of Sweeney Todd’s “Roxy Roller” featuring Luisa followed with great reviews, a music video and an interview with MuchMusic TV host Terry David Mulligan and Sweeney Todd’s lead vocalist Nick Guilder that was highlighted on Canadian television nationwide. More tours followed up and the band became a favourite all over North America.

Tina Turner Tribute

In 1995, while on stage with her band during a show in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Luisa gave in to the persistent request of a fan to wear a wild “Tina Turner” wig while she and her band performed Proud Mary. The combination of her strong vocals, her rock ‘n’ roll attitude and her astounding resemblance to the Queen of Rock brought the house down. That night, Luisa’s career as a tribute artist was born, however, it wasn’t until late 1999 that she decided to take her Tina Turner tribute act seriously. Within a few years, in 2003, she competed in and won the grand prize as the World Rock ‘N Roll Tribute Artist Champion, beating out participants from all over the world.

In 2004, Luisa Marshall performed for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in a grueling show tour that included war-torn Bosnia and Sarajevo. She was invited again the following year 2005 to perform for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Israel and Egypt.

In 2005, Luisa had the pleasure of entertaining the audience of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago by rendering an impromptu song number. Tina Turner was the featured guest at the time. Luisa had the surreal experience of seeing Miss Turner in awe, watching her perform The Best as it was played back on the studio’s big screen. Three years after, in 2008, Luisa was called by Oprah’s producer to dress up like Tina Turner on “Oprah’s Biggest Show Ever” that was held at Caesar’s Palace “Colloseum” with the comeback of two icons, Cher and Tina Turner. She was called to perform Proud Mary in front of the 4,000 screaming fans.

In 2006, Luisa played the challenging role of Tina Turner in the most spectacular stage musical “TINA, A Rock ‘N Roll Journey”. For three years, she toured all over North America and the US with her band and dancers and became an internationally acclaimed stage performer. Her performance as Tina received rave reviews and standing ovations all over.

Luisa was also the main organizer of the highly successful 2009 Celebrity Tributes For A Cause in Vancouver, B.C. to raise money for the Philippine Typhoon Ondoy flood victims which raised more than $40,000.00 . 100% of the proceeds went to the Canadian Red Cross for the Ondoy Victims.

Simply the Best – The Luisa Marshall Show

Currently, her television talk show is celebrating 12 years on air on the Shaw Multicultural Channel. Simply the Best – The Luisa Marshall Show features Luisa’s tours and concerts all over the world, live entertainment, celebrities, cooks, singers, dancers, actors, political figures, entrepreneurs, working groups, community events, interesting stories of unknown people, local heroes, athletes, makeovers, greetings, latest news, fashion, makeup, hair, community issues, advocacies and other requests from her viewers.

Luisa’s outstanding contribution to inspire, educate and entertain Filipino and mainstream viewers in a multicultural society continues to inspire other immigrants to embrace diversity. She is a powerful voice and an advocate against bullying in school, home, workplace and online.

“To empower other immigrants to follow a strict code of moral, honest commitment in their daily lives to reach their goals, dreams and ambitions is what I’m committed to do the rest of my life. Real success and happiness is when you travel through your journey with great pride and integrity.”
– Luisa Marshall

Personal Life

In spite of her busy schedule and touring, Luisa still manages to be a full-time wife to her husband Steve, and mother to her daughters Kimi and Zenia, while currently residing in Vancouver, BC. Whenever she can, she shares her time and talent performing for various organizations for worthy causes like United Way for Children with Disabilities, BC Cancer Research, AIDS Vancouver, Loving Spoonful Society, Women’s Breast Cancer, Red Cross for multiple tsunami stricken countries, Community Living, BC Children’s Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Research Program to name a few.

Awards & Accolades

In 2010, she 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 honored to be one of the 23 international artists recognized and also one of the 2 Filipino Canadians highlighted.

Luisa also received a special certificate of recognition by B.C. Multicultural Minister Honorable John Yap for her efforts to bring the community together through Filipino excellence by organizing the first Canadian book launch in Vancouver for author Ruben V. Nepales.

Fundraisers

A short list of Causes that Luisa Marshall supported and participated in.

Help For Haiti Red Cross Fundraising, Children’s Variety for Children with Diabilities, BC Cancer Society, Centre for Epileptic and Seizure Education, Red Cross for Tsunami Victims, Third World Eye Care, Loving Spoonful Society, UNICEF for Children, United Way for Children with Diabilities, Community Living, Giovanni Bastone Cancer Research, Boys and Girls Club Fundraising Events in Canada and the US, BC Children’s Hospital, BC Dare Society, BC Arthritis Society, Wise Hall Fundraising Event for a Cancer Victim, Can Am Importique Fundraising Events, The Weekend To End Breast Cancer, International Women’s Day and Fundraising Event, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation, “Just For Kicks” Do Vegas for Children’s Dance Classes, NBA Hall Of Famer Lenny Wilken’s Celebrity Classic, Big Sisters, Burn Fund, CNN Hero of The Year Efren Penaflorida “Pushcart Classroom”, Rotary Club’s Hospital Bed Fundraising (Courtney), Bike For Life “Breast Cancer” Fundraising, Jewish Community Centre, Columbus, Ohio, Fundraising for more than 200 families that need financial help, Bella Bella Fundraising for Elders, Juvenile Diabetes Research Program, Fort St. John Community Living Fundraising, Canadian Red Cross to benefit Sendong Flood Victims, Project Damayan 2012 for Philippine Sendong Flood Victims, BC Oral Cancer Research Surrey Christmas Bureau (for low income families), Celebrity Tributes for a Cause and many, many others…