Long before millions were double-tapping her videos, Abi Marquez was simply a student, cooking dinner for her family during online classes. That ordinary night turned into something more. She decided to make pasta—a rare sight on a table usually reserved for rice three times a day.

“To me, it was a special night that needed to be documented, so I filmed my 5-ingredient Tuna Pasta,” she shares. “I guess during the editing phase, I figured it’d be better with a voice over. So I did.”

That simple act—cooking with heart and hitting record—sparked the beginning of her evolution from a home cook to a digital food storyteller.

But going viral wasn’t her north star. “Going viral isn’t really the goal—of course it’s a nice bonus—but my top priority has always been to keep my content authentic and informative,” she explains.

For Abi, content creation is a balance of curiosity and conscience. It starts with research—whether that’s digging into the origins of a dish, watching how others make it, or talking to those who know it best. “If I’m trying a twist on a classic recipe, I usually test it out first and ask for feedback from people who are familiar with the original,” she says. “That way, I make sure it still respects the roots while offering something fresh.”

Her creative choices are also deeply shaped by her audience. “Most of the time, I get inspired by comments and feedback. Since they’re the ones watching and actually trying the recipes, I make it a point to listen,” she says. Whether it’s a viewer’s nostalgic food request or a sudden spark of curiosity from a new flavor, Abi finds a way to translate it into something accessible, relatable, and rooted in Filipino identity.

“I always try to work with ingredients that are easy to find or whatever I already have at home. I want people to feel like they can actually try it, even without fancy tools or rare ingredients.”

Still, as her influence grew, so did the weight of responsibility.

“I won’t lie, there’s definitely pressure,” Abi admits. “The content I put out could be seen by millions of people, so I really feel the weight of making sure it’s something they’ll enjoy, learn from, or be proud of.”

Yet she doesn’t see it as a burden. Instead, it fuels her mission to create with care and represent Filipino culture with pride. “It’s really because of my followers that I get to live out my mission. They’re the reason I’m able to keep doing what I love, and that pushes me to be more intentional with what I create.”

The journey has required her to wear many hats. From the early days of doing everything herself, Abi quickly realized one key truth: “You can’t do it alone if you want to last.” While she thrives in the creative process, she credits her management team, NYMA, for guiding the business side, and her collaborations with other creators for helping her grow in the space.

Even in a trend-driven, fast-paced platform economy, Abi stays grounded. “I still actively study viral videos to learn from other creators and look at algorithm trends… But for me, the real magic happens when I inject my personality into it,” she says. “I film continuously, even forgetting the camera’s rolling sometimes, to capture those spontaneous reactions or small laughs. It takes discipline to show those unplanned moments, but that authenticity is what connects me with my community.”

Abi Marquez didn’t just stumble into virality. She arrived with intention—filming not just for clicks, but to connect, to represent, and to inspire. Her journey proves that in a digital world full of noise, authenticity still resonates loudest.

Photo Credit: Abi Marquez (with permission to use)