Made by Filipinos, Worn with Pride: Scents to Try From Local Perfume Labels

There’s something uniquely intimate about fragrance. One spritz can trigger a memory, shift your mood, or transport you to another place entirely. And while international perfume houses often dominate the shelves, a new wave of Filipino perfumers is proving that world-class scents can come from our own shores. 

Whether you’re a longtime fragrance enthusiast or someone looking to make their first conscious local buy, these three standout labels offer compelling starting points. Each scent tells a story, rooted in Filipino identity and crafted with care.

Tadhana: Innocent

If you’re drawn to soft, romantic florals with a dreamy twist, Innocent from Tadhana is worth your attention. This scent captures the sweetness and vulnerability of a first kiss. It’s subtle, never overpowering, and wears like a second skin.

The composition opens with a sparkling hit of calamansi and lavender, before unfolding into a heart of powdery violet, orris, and the country’s beloved sampaguita. It finishes with gentle musk and agarwood for just the right touch of sensuality.

Perfect for: spring or summer, first dates, picnic days, or “whenever you want to feel loved”

Wren Atelier: Manila Oud

Courtesy of Wren Atelier

Wren Atelier’s Manila Oud is storytelling in a bottle. Created by perfumer Renato Lopena Jr., this unisex scent reimagines oud for the Filipino climate. It’s deeply rooted in the urban Filipino experience: sampaguita garlands, banana cue stands, and incense burning in old churches. “Manila Oud is an oud fragrance designed for the Philippine weather and it contains a unique banana cue accord,” Lopena says.

This woody chypre blend opens with nutmeg, ginger, and calamansi, followed by a curious heart of banana, jasmine, and elemi. It dries down to a complex base of oud, incense, patchouli, and amber.

Perfect for: cooler evenings, get-togethers, homecomings, reunions or any occasion where you want to banner Filipino pride, and whenever you want your scent to spark conversation.

Edro Manille: Des Roses

Courtesy of Renato Lopena Jr.

Edro Manille’s Des Roses doesn’t whisper—it commands attention. Inspired by the strength and elegance of modern Filipinas, this rose-forward perfume celebrates femininity in all its power.

Owner Pedro Almedina de Malaya III, with the help of perfumer Lopena, brings a deeply personal and cultural lens to his creations, and Des Roses is no exception. With juicy top notes of raspberry, grapefruit, and pink pepper, the scent blooms into a classic rose and peony heart, grounded in musk, leather, and guaiac wood.

Perfect for: date nights, elegant events, or whenever you need an extra boost of confidence.

Why go local?

Filipino perfumers are doing more than just blending beautiful notes. They’re anchoring scent in our own stories. From citrus trees and street food to spiritual traditions and inner strength, these fragrances reflect a sensory identity that is proudly and unmistakably Filipino.

With every bottle, you’re not just buying a perfume, you’re also supporting craftsmanship, storytelling, and a homegrown industry on the rise. 

So if you’re on the hunt for your next signature scent or a thoughtful gift, look to these proudly Filipino names. Whether you’re drawn to the subtle sweetness of Innocent, the depth of Manila Oud, or the bold elegance of Des Roses, there’s something here for every nose, and every narrative.