MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In a delicious turn of events that has the Filipino food world buzzing, digital creator Abi Marquez – better known to her 4.4 million followers as the “Lumpia Queen” has snagged her first nomination at the 17th Annual Shorty Awards in the coveted “TikTok Presence” category.
The nomination represents more than just personal achievement; it’s a watershed moment for Filipino cuisine on the global digital stage. With her signature blend of cultural authenticity and infectious energy, Marquez has transformed traditional Filipino flavors into bite-sized digital content that resonates far beyond the archipelago’s shores.
“Being recognized by the Shorty Awards is such an honor—not just for me, but for the whole Filipino food community on TikTok,” Marquez shares.
She adds, “It motivates me even more to keep pushing Filipino cuisine onto the global stage and turn the food space into one big collaboration zone. This nomination is a reminder of how powerful our stories can be, especially when told through food.”
The Shorty Awards—often called the Oscars of social media—celebrate digital excellence across platforms, with past winners including creative powerhouses like Pixar, spiritual guru Jay Shetty, and media giants Al Jazeera Digital and Google.
This year’s “TikTok Presence” category places Marquez in the same simmering pot as entertainment heavyweights: Sony Pictures’ “Venom: The Last Dance” TikTok Takeover, hit series from MTV including “The Chi” and “Tulsa King,” and Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob 25th” anniversary celebration.
For a Filipina creator whose journey began in a humble kitchen with nothing but a phone camera and passion for her culture’s flavors, the nomination signals a seismic shift in digital content creation. It proves that authentic cultural storytelling can compete with Hollywood’s biggest marketing machines.
Supporters can vote daily for Marquez at shortyawards.com/17th/abi-marquez-lumpia-queen, with bonus votes tallied each time the vote is shared across Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn.
Winners will be announced in May 2025, potentially adding another accolade to Marquez’s increasingly impressive digital pantry.
