Melendres, Vanesa Velacse: - Debut author Vanesa Velacse Melendres is from Samar, an island in the Philippines who now lives in Calgary, Alberta. After resigning her job in a Philippine bank she lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for six years before moving to Canada. She has a bachelor of science degree in banking and finance but prefers spending time in her kitchen trying out new recipes she's created. The recipes in the book have all been taste-tested by her family, relatives, friends and especially her three children.