Vicente Salas II, also known as "Ben," is an indigenous Chamorro independent filmmaker, spoken word poet, hip hop artist, photographer, and writer with deep ties to Saipan, Guam, and Hawaii. A deeper dive into his familial roots also reveals a rich tapestry of Carolinian (Satawalese), Spanish, African, Filipino, and Scottish ancestry. From an early age, Vicente has traveled globally, fostering a lifelong passion for uniting diverse cultures and communities through a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary filmmaking and poetic arts. Beyond his cinematic endeavors, Vicente’s career achievements include working as a journalist for publications like Marianas Variety and serving his native Marianas community as a former caseworker and indigenous Chamorro cultural advocate for the CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office. Today, he continues to create compelling film projects under his Todu Båli Media banner, dedicated to bridging cultures and inspiring meaningful connections through his art.
"Manmetgot-ña hit ki ta hongge!"(We are stronger than we think)
-Maga’låhen Hurao