SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine filled the air on National Lumpia Day 2025, as the community came together for a day of food, culture, and camaraderie at Kain Na-Filipino Cuisine.
The event, organized by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce-Greater San Antonio (PACC-GSA), was a resounding success, bringing food lovers, local businesses, and community leaders together to celebrate lumpia, a beloved Filipino delicacy.
The festivities kicked off with a momentous occasion: the official City Proclamation of National Lumpia Day, delivered at 11:00 AM.
The proclamation was a gesture of recognition, marking the importance of the event in fostering cultural appreciation and promoting community unity.
Local leaders and attendees alike gathered in support of the proclamation, which underscored the role of food in bringing people together and celebrating shared cultural traditions.
“Celebrating National Lumpia Day was an incredible experience. This event not only highlighted the rich Filipino culture but also showcased the power of food in bringing communities together,” said Elisa Chan, President of the Asian Resource Center of San Antonio.
“Lumpia is not just a dish; it is a community, culture, and shared tradition,” expressed by Atty. Aileen Ligot Dizon, Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTX) State President.
A mouthwatering lumpia buffet served as the centerpiece, giving attendees the chance to indulge in various delectable variations of the crispy Filipino spring roll.
Guests had the opportunity to taste the traditional flavors, as well as creative twists on the classic recipe.
One of the event’s standout moments was the Lumpia Throwdown 3.0, an exciting cooking competition featuring some of the area’s top chefs and home cooks, all vying to create the best lumpia. Jennilyn Tolentino emerged as the winner of the Lumpia Throwdown 3.0 Cooking Competition, while Jenny McCray and Joseph Delrosario followed as second and third place winners, respectively.
The culinary battle was a crowd favorite, highlighting the creativity and passion behind Filipino cuisine.
The Lumpia Eating Competition was one of the highlights of the event, drawing a large crowd. Dindo Navarro and Love Luka tied for first place, each eating 22 lumpia in just five minutes. Their impressive performance excited the audience and left them looking forward to next year’s competition.
“Our National Lumpia Day successfully represented the fundamental Filipino value—-hospitality as we welcomed diverse crowd to join us to celebrate and embrace our Filipino culture and values, ” said Romelette Metz, President of Organization of Filipinos in Texas (OFT).
Adding to the fun, a special Lumpia Rolling Competition featured several mayoral candidates, including Rolando Pablos, Chris Reyes, Arturo Espinosa, Santos Alvarado, Sonia Traut, and the champion Mauricio Sanchez.
The friendly competition sparked a sense of playfulness, with the candidates rolling up their sleeves to compete in a race to craft the most perfect lumpia. The crowd cheered on their favorites, all while supporting the spirit of community involvement.
“It’s amazing to see so many people from different walks of life come together to celebrate Filipino culture through food,” said Consul General Gunther Emil Sales of the Philippine Consulate General in Houston. “Lumpia is more than just a dish—it’s a symbol of Filipino hospitality and the deep connections we share as a community.”
The day was further enhanced by the presence of notable local figures and dignitaries, who emphasized the event’s importance in promoting cultural diversity and fostering inclusivity.
Attendees were delighted to see figures like San Antonio Mayoral Candidate Gina Ortiz-Jones, San Antonio Council Member Marc Whyte, Consul General Gunther Emil Sales, Vice Consul Tanya Gaurano, and other representative from the Philippine Consulate General in Houston, actively participating in the festivities, underscoring the event’s significance in not just preserving Filipino traditions but also enriching the broader community.
“For too long, Filipino cuisine has lived in the shadows of the food world. Today, that changes. Today, we shine a spotlight on our flavors, our heritage, and the people who bring them to life,” said Gene Carangal, PACC-GSA Region Chair.
Watch the exclusive interviews with Consul General Gunther Emil Sales of the Philippine Consulate General in Houston and Philippine American Chamber of Commerce-Greater San Antonio Region Chair Gene Carangal at the National Lumpia Day Proclamation in San Antonio on March 16, 2025.
