Abi Marquez Shines as a Key Figure in This Year’s Asian Youthquake

Abi Marquez, a 23-year-old Filipino food content creator, has achieved a significant milestone by being honored on both Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list and Tatler Asia's Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow list this year. The double recognition aligns her with some of the most influential young leaders and innovators across Asia, including disruptors, entrepreneurs, and stars.

Global business publication Forbes released the 9th edition of its prestigious 30 Under 30 Asia list in May, spotlighting 300 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders, and trailblazers under 30 from across the Asia-Pacific region. Among them is Marquez, who earned a spot in the Media, Marketing, and Advertising category. In its profile of Marquez, Forbes Asia acknowledged her as the Philippines' “Lumpia Queen.”

"Abigail Marquez has been crowned the Lumpia Queen for her obsession with one Philippine fried snack, but she promotes all aspects of her nation's food culture, a passion she has had since the age of 4," Forbes Asia wrote. "Marquez trained as a chef before moving into videography, and now runs a cooking channel on TikTok with more than 3 million followers. She won TikTok's Creator of the Year for Food award in 2023—after less than 2 years on the platform."

Marquez is one of seven Filipinos recognized by Forbes this year, alongside content creator Arshie Larga, rapper Ez Mil, entrepreneurs Amanda Cua and Mikaela Helene Reyes, and artists Joshua Serafin and Chia Amisola. Their collective achievement underscores the rich talent pool in the Philippines and serves as an inspiration to young creators and entrepreneurs worldwide.

The much-awaited Forbes list celebrates exceptional Asian youth and their groundbreaking contributions and potential to drive change in their respective fields. The 10 categories in the 30 Under 30 Asia list include Entertainment, Technology, Social Impact, and Finance among others. Other notable awardees include Goldman Sachs Executive Director Stephen Tsang, Google Research Scientist Karan Ahuja, and actor Bright Vachiwarit.

LUMPIA QUEEN AND LEADER OF TOMORROW

Adding to her accolades, Marquez was also recently handpicked by Tatler Asia to be part of their prestigious Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow list. According to the Gen.T website, this list “recognizes the most promising young leaders shaping Asia’s future. They are the trailblazing entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers who are making a positive impact in the region.” The list includes honorees from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Southeast Asian region.

Honorees in this year’s Gen.T span fields such as Philanthropy, Sustainability, Entertainment, and Design, and are acknowledged for their impact across multiple categories. In Marquez’s case, she was listed for her impact on Media and Marketing, Entertainment, and Food and Beverage. She was chosen for “spotlighting the intricacies of Filipino cuisine.” Her profile highlights her rapid rise in the food content space, noting, “Food content creator Abigail Marquez started posting recipes and reviews from her home in 2022. By the following year, she had been awarded the title of TikTok Philippines Foodie of the Year.” Marquez gained the attention of the luxury publisher through her collaboration with global and Filipino food personalities as well as megabrands.

The recognition puts Marquez in the same league as other achievers such as robotics executive Daryl Lim of Singapore, emotional intelligence educator Matthew Kwok of Hong Kong, and biotech entrepreneur Yanni Ching Xin Yan of Malaysia. Other Filipinos on the Gen.T list include journalist Patricia Evangelista, venture builder Carlo Flordeliza, and restaurateur Amado Fores. 

A DIGITAL DYNAMO, INSPIRATION, MOVER, AND SHAKER

Kat Bautista, General Manager of Marquez’s agency NYMA, expressed her pride: "From the very beginning, NYMA Management and Kroma Entertainment recognized Abi’s immense potential, particularly in the food niche, which is so prevalent on social media and a vital part of Filipino culture. We are incredibly proud as she continues to bring Filipino cuisine and talent to the global stage. Abi’s journey is characterized by remarkable achievements—from winning The 28th Annual Webby Awards People's Voice award to earning a James Beard Media Award nomination, and now these prestigious recognitions by Forbes and Tatler. She is not just making waves in the kitchen; she is a digital dynamo, an inspiration for the next generation of creators and food enthusiasts, and a young mover and shaker in the Asian region.”

Marquez shared her gratitude, saying, "I am incredibly honored to be named in Forbes 30 Under 30 and Tatler’s Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow. These recognitions are a testament to the unwavering support of my amazing community, my dedicated team at NYMA, and my loving family and friends. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity."