The woman behind the brand—what purpose fuels Abi Marquez’s passion and what kind of mark she hopes to leave.

Behind the viral videos, millions of followers, and the “Lumpia Queen” title lies a woman driven by something far more lasting than algorithm hits or fleeting fame. Abi Marquez, a name now synonymous with creative Filipino food content, is also someone deeply rooted in purpose—and quietly focused on legacy.

“Abi is someone who likes to spend her alone time being productive by making something exciting or watching something educational or funny,” she shares. “She’s also a person who likes to show up for her family and friends and shows them love through cooking.”

It’s a simple portrait—but one that reveals the very core of why her content resonates so deeply. At the heart of her work is a kind of warmth that can’t be manufactured. And even as her platform continues to grow, Abi remains anchored by a mission that’s bigger than herself.

“I always go back to why I started in the first place,” she says. “And now, I feel even more grounded because my bigger purpose is so much clearer—to be someone younger girls can look up to, to create comfort videos for OFWs, and to help foreigners who want to learn how to cook Filipino food.”

That clarity of purpose shows in the way she approaches not just her content but also her well-being. “A huge part of my content is my energy—so if I’m burned out, it really shows. My health, my mindset, and my well-being affect everything I create.”

Her influence has evolved from content creator to quiet mentor, especially for a younger generation of aspiring women in media. “I hope that young Filipino creators—especially women—see that if I can do it, they can too. I didn’t start with a big team or a perfect setup. I just had a dream and worked really hard to get to where I am now.”

The road wasn’t easy—“a lot of sleepless nights and trial and errors”—but Abi never stopped dreaming. “Gordon Ramsay was my dream collab, and for the longest time, it felt so out of reach. But I put it on my vision board anyway—and just kept showing up. One video at a time, one small step each day. And somehow, it happened.”

That message—of showing up, dreaming boldly, and doing the work—is the kind of impact she hopes to pass on. “When they scroll through my platforms and watch my videos, I want them to feel like, ‘maybe I can do that too.’”

Beyond lumpia and viral recipes, Abi has visions of leading with intention. “I dream of becoming the best leader for my team. Someone who knows how to run things efficiently so we can grow together, create more jobs, and make work more sustainable.” At the same time, she holds close the desire to “keep making videos that I genuinely enjoy—content that’s meaningful and valuable in helping Filipino food gain the global recognition it deserves.”

Asked how she wants to be remembered, her answer is clear and humble:

“I’d want to be remembered as a Filipina content creator who helped put Filipino food on the global stage. That’s really been the mission from day one. More than just the recipes or the viral videos, I hope people see the bigger picture—that I used my platform to share our culture.”

In the long run, Abi envisions herself as more than just a creator. “I see myself as a mix of an entrepreneur, a creative, and a teacher—someone who shares love by teaching people about food, culture, and creativity.”
But most of all, she hopes to build something bigger than herself—“something that creates opportunities, uplifts others, and leaves a lasting impact.”

For Abi Marquez, legacy isn’t about being remembered for fame—it’s about being remembered for what she made possible.

Photo Credit: Abi Marquez (with permission to use)