Before the world knew her as the “Lumpia Queen,” Abi Marquez was a little girl in Laguna, flipping between morning cartoons and cooking shows, a plate of chicken nuggets and rice in front of her. Even then, she knew exactly how she wanted her food served.

“I clearly remember getting upset over hot chicken nuggets being served with cold rice. My family would say, ‘Mainit naman ’yung ulam!’ and I’d reply, ‘Eh hindi naman sabaw ’yung ulam!’” she recalls with humor and detail that now carries over into the food content she shares with millions online.

Abi’s love for food wasn’t born in a fine dining restaurant or culinary school—it began at home. Her childhood in Laguna laid the groundwork for everything she is today: a curious cook, a confident creator, and a proud champion of Filipino food.

“I’ve loved food and cooking for as long as I can remember,” she says. With parents who encouraged her to hang around the kitchen, a mother who set the culinary bar high, and early access to the internet at age six, Abi immersed herself in online cooking games and videos. “I was hooked.”

What stands out in her story is not just talent but a kind of joyful purpose that began early. “One of my earliest ‘hosting’ memories was making orange juice and preparing food for visitors when I was four. I’d even cook fried chicken for myself with just a little help from my parents, mainly just turning on the gas,” she shares. “Looking back, those moments weren’t about trying to impress anyone. I just really, genuinely enjoyed it.”

That authenticity continues to define her. Whether as a high school student baking and selling lasagna to friends or as a college student merging her love for food with marketing and filmmaking, Abi never chased clout. She chased the connection.
“I always planned to have a food business someday… But honestly, earning wasn’t the goal. I just genuinely loved the feeling of making something for people and seeing them enjoy it,” she says.

Her time at UP Diliman’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management program gave her not just technical skills but a deeper cultural lens. “It wasn’t just about cooking something delicious but also understanding the roots of our dishes, how they bring people together, and how they reflect our values as Filipinos,” she explains.

This blend of heart and heritage is perhaps best captured in her now-iconic “lumpia series,” which began with a spur-of-the-moment idea to wrap leftover marshmallows and chocolate chips in lumpia wrappers. “It blew up. Within a couple of days, the video had millions of views… I remember feeling this mix of excitement and nerves in my stomach. But I instantly knew this would be my series.”

Since then, Abi has rolled more than 40 variations of lumpia, each one a creative take on a beloved Filipino staple. “For me, lumpia mirrors my journey. It’s simple, familiar, and comforting, but it also has room for creativity and reinvention,” she says. “Just like how lumpia always has a place on the table at Filipino gatherings, it’s also played a central role in my career and how I get to represent Filipino food culture.”

But behind her playful food experiments and highly polished videos is a strong foundation shaped by powerful women. “The number one woman who shaped me was definitely my mom,” she says. “A lot of what I know started from just watching and learning from her.” Abi also names the late Chef Margarita Forés as a culinary inspiration. “Her work paved the way for so many Filipinas in the culinary field.”

In many ways, Abi’s story is not just about food. It is about roots—of memory, of culture, of family—and how they can be rolled into something entirely new while still staying true to where they began. She’s more than a viral sensation or a TikTok star. Abi Marquez is a storyteller, and her medium just happens to be delicious.

Photo Credit: Abi Marquez (with permission to use)