Through her TikTok videos, Abi Marquez has earned recognition for her creative takes on traditional Filipino dishes—especially her innovative use of spring roll wrappers, earning her the title “Lumpia Queen.” Her platform showcases not only the rich flavors of Filipino cuisine but also its cultural significance, bringing heritage to life with each recipe.
At the heart of her work is a mission to make Filipino food accessible globally, breaking down barriers and shifting perceptions. Abi aims to elevate Filipino cuisine from a niche interest to a celebrated part of the culinary world. While lumpia and adobo are well-known, she’s passionate about revealing the depth and versatility of Filipino food to a wider audience.
Through Mabuhay World, Abi has expanded this mission by collaborating with creators across the U.S. to introduce Filipino food to new audiences. These collaborations sparked curiosity and appreciation for Filipino cuisine, while also helping her bring valuable insights back to the Philippines to strengthen its culinary community.
Her work has earned global recognition, from winning a Webby People’s Voice Award to being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 and collaborating with top international chefs and content creators. But her true passion lies in empowering aspiring chefs—especially within the Filipino community—to explore and take pride in their heritage.
Ultimately, Abi strives to bridge cultures through food, making Filipino cuisine a global conversation while inspiring creativity along the way.
Bringing Abi Marquez’s project to life was a journey fueled by creativity, community engagement, and a deep passion for Filipino cuisine. It began with a simple yet powerful idea: to make Filipino food more accessible, enjoyable, and easy to recreate through dynamic and engaging content. Abi aimed to share the joy of cooking Filipino dishes in a way that felt approachable, especially for those unfamiliar with the cuisine.
One of the major challenges, however, was shifting global perceptions of Filipino food. For too long, Filipino cuisine has been misunderstood—dismissed as “smelly” or “weird,” and relegated to strip mall eateries instead of being celebrated on the world stage. Unlike other Asian cuisines that have gained mainstream appeal, Filipino food often remains overlooked, even by Filipinos themselves. Abi’s mission was to change that—celebrating its rich and diverse flavors, raising awareness of its incredible depth, and letting the world experience the cuisine that the Philippines and select communities worldwide are so proud of.
To achieve this, Abi focused on crafting visually appealing and engaging content that showcased traditional Filipino recipes while reflecting her personal twist. She chose TikTok as the primary platform due to its fast-paced, interactive nature, making it ideal for experimenting with short, captivating food videos. Her signature “Lumpia” recipes, featuring various fillings and creative ingredient combinations, became a hallmark of her content. By keeping the recipes simple yet innovative, Abi ensured viewers felt inspired and empowered to recreate them at home without intimidation.
A key strategy in bringing the project to life was collaboration. Although Abi initially hesitated to partner with others due to the costs involved, she quickly realized that collaborations were essential for amplifying her reach and message. Partnering with influential chefs, creators, and brands helped elevate the content, introducing Filipino cuisine to a wider and more diverse audience. These collaborations not only broke barriers but also built credibility and trust. A standout moment was Abi’s collaboration with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, which led to an incredible surge of 3 million new followers on her platform. This partnership validated Abi’s vision and propelled Filipino food further into the global spotlight.
Community interaction played a crucial role in shaping Abi’s content. She prioritized engaging with her audience—reading comments, responding to feedback, and tailoring recipes to their needs. This feedback loop helped refine her approach and ensure the content resonated with viewers. A defining aspect of Abi’s work is bridging the gap between traditional Filipino flavors and modern culinary trends, making Filipino food feel both timeless and contemporary.
Ultimately, Abi’s project is about more than just food—it’s about changing perceptions and fostering cultural pride. What began as an experiment in sharing Filipino heritage through food has grown into a global movement. It’s been incredibly rewarding for Abi to see how her work has inspired others, particularly within the Filipino community, to embrace their culinary roots and proudly share their flavors with the world.
The goal of Abi Marquez and her team was to make Filipino food accessible and loved by a global audience, and the response has been incredible. Through TikTok, they’ve shattered barriers and stereotypes, pushing Filipino cuisine into the mainstream. With over 10 million views on their videos and engagement rates exceeding 15%, the response has far exceeded expectations. The 3 million followers gained through Abi’s collaboration with Gordon Ramsay further demonstrates their global reach and impact.
Their efforts have been a success because they’ve done more than share recipes—they’ve shared a piece of Filipino heritage. The positive feedback, shares, and comments show that people are not only enjoying the food but also embracing the cultural stories behind it. This recognition aligns with their vision of creating a movement where Filipino cuisine is celebrated worldwide.
What’s most fulfilling is seeing aspiring chefs, particularly within the Filipino community, reclaim their culinary identity. More Filipino chefs are confidently sharing their dishes, experimenting with recipes, and showcasing Filipino flavors.
Ultimately, the success of the project isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in the meaningful connections made. This is the essence of Mabuhay World: a movement that invites everyone to experience the warmth, vibrancy, and deliciousness of Filipino cuisine. By bringing Filipino food to the global spotlight, they are redefining perceptions and reinforcing pride in their culinary heritage.
