Actor Piolo Pascual may be known for getting Filipino viewers’ eyes glued to the screen, but the celebrity now seems to be inciting quite the heated debate among avid food lovers on which lumpia is better.
Lumpia in the Philippines comes in various forms, with lumpiang shanghai, a fried roll filled with minced pork, onions, carrots, and spices, arguably the most popular as it is a fixture in Filipino celebrations.
Yet the actor may have stirred the pot after posing that lumpiang togue/toge, also a fried roll containing bean sprouts, and at times tofu, carrot, and onions, was better than the crowd-favorite shanghai.
“LUMPIANG TOGE IS BETTER THAN LUMPIANG SHANGHAI. FIGHT ME!” The actor challenged his followers in a social media post, posting a photo of him eating the rolls in a plastic takeout box with sweet and sour sauce in one hand.
The actor’s proclamation clearly brought out some strong reactions among his fans.
“Lumpiang shanghai is still the best for me, sorry Papa P,” one fan said, referring to Pascual’s nickname among fans.
“I love you Papa P, but I don’t agree with you,” another chimed in.
“I don’t want to fight with you,” one joked.
Meanwhile, there were those who agreed with him.
“When you’re a vegetarian, lumpiang togue is a godsend,” one wrote.
Others challenged Pascual on his choice of dipping.
“Lumpiang togue is dipped in vinegar and garlic, not sweet and sour sauce!” one wrote.
“Papa P, that togue would be better dipped in vinegar with garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Add a bit of chili garlic paste for that spicy kick,” another follower advised.
Meanwhile, there were others who wanted love, not war.
“I love both lumpiang togue and shanghai and I love you too Papa P,” one fan said.
That said, many fans had the same thought about how they’d like to try his lumpia instead.
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