Fatherhood has a way of reshaping perspectives. For Renato Lopena Jr. (AKA The Filipino Nose), it has reinforced a lesson he learned the hard way that dreams are worth chasing, even when the road is uncertain. His own journey to becoming the Philippines’ leading independent perfumer wasn’t straightforward, and that’s exactly what he wants to teach his child.

Growing up, Renato didn’t know he would become a perfumer. He spent his childhood in his mother’s company, a distributor of raw materials, tagging along when there was nowhere else to be. At 12, he stumbled into the company’s laboratory, a place where scents were mixed and formulas were tested. Bored, he asked if he could try his hand at making a perfume. The staff, knowing he was the boss’s son, let him experiment. He mixed alcohol, chose a fragrance, and unknowingly created the first perfume of his life.

But it wasn’t an immediate passion. At first, he thought he wanted to be a chef, though he quickly realized he just wanted to eat, not cook. It wasn’t until he started earning his own money that he became serious about scents. Perfumes weren’t just luxury items; they held memories, emotions, and identity. Certain scents made him feel happy, confident, or nostalgic. That curiosity led him to study perfumery in Grasse, France, the birthplace of the world’s finest fragrances. He became the first Filipino student to be accepted into the Grasse Institute of Perfumery, selected from over 100 applicants for one of only 12 spots.

The Struggles of Being a Perfumer in the Philippines

Pursuing perfumery wasn’t an easy path, especially in a country like the Philippines, where the industry is still finding its place. Unlike fashion or food, perfume is often overlooked as an art form. Many Filipino brands exist, but few carve out their own identity, often drawing inspiration from well-known Western scents.

The biggest challenge, however, is perception. Filipinos tend to associate luxury perfumes with international brands. They’re willing to pay premium prices for French or Italian labels, but hesitate when a local brand carries the same price tag. “There’s still that mentality that if it’s Filipino, it has to be cheaper,” Renato explains. “But perfume-making requires expertise, high-quality ingredients, and a long creative process. It’s not just about mixing scents; it’s chemistry, art, and storytelling all in one bottle.”

This perception forced him to be strategic with pricing. His perfumes, while positioned as high-quality niche fragrances, had to remain within a price range that Filipinos would still consider “reasonable.” It’s a balancing act—making sure the craftsmanship is valued while still being accessible.