In a world where scent is often tied to status, most fragrance brands are quick to throw around the word “luxury,” even when the ingredients barely make the cut. That’s exactly what pushed former Dubai-based packaging designer Leandro Santiago and his partner Labline Ylasco to do things differently.
Drawing from over 17 years of experience in the global beauty industry—including work on celebrity fragrance lines—they created Péthalo: a proudly Filipino fragrance brand built on ethical sourcing, intentional design, and premium quality.
Photo: Péthalo
Officially launched in March 2025, Péthalo was born from a simple yet powerful idea: Filipino fragrances deserve to be world-class. Rather than slapping on the overused “luxury” label, Péthalo lets the product speak for itself, from Grasse-sourced fragrance oils and sustainable packaging to IFRA-compliant formulations that are safe for both skin and the planet.
Each scent is crafted with the same precision you’d expect from a heritage maison. Made accessible for everyday Filipinos, they look and feel like they belong on your top shelf. Here are two of their scents worth knowing (and owning):
1. Capricho
Photo: Péthalo
Capricho is for the bold. A citrus-oriental scent with a spicy twist, this extrait de parfum channels spontaneity. Think bright bergamot and lemon lifted by pepper and pine, grounded by incense, musky amber, and soft vanilla.
Built for those who live in the now, it’s a fragrance that invites second glances. Like the brand itself, this scent alone challenges the idea that Filipino-made can’t be premium.
Capricho is made with high-grade fragrance oils from Grasse, France and bottled using sustainable and design-conscious components such as a German-sourced glass bottle and Spanish-made pumps. It is proof that even fragrance at an accessible price point can deliver a truly elevated experience.
Capricho is available on Lazada for P3,499, but get it straight from the Péthalo website for a 10% discount and add it to cart for only P3,149.
2. Cariñosa
Photo: Péthalo
Floral, spicy, and made for the modern-day Filipina, Cariñosa reimagines the country’s iconic courtship dance as scent. It opens with the crackle of pepper and pink berry, blooms into rose and powdery iris, then settles into a warm blend of sandalwood and musk.
This extrait de parfum is meant to celebrate intimacy and self-expression. Cariñosa embodies Péthalo’s heritage-first ethos with a scent that feels both nostalgic and modern. The fragrance reflects the brand’s origin as a love letter to Filipino identity.
Cariñosa is available on Lazada for P3,499, but get it straight from the Péthalo website for a 10% discount and add it to cart for only P3,149.
Péthalo may be a young brand, but it’s already raising the bar for what Filipino fragrance can look and smell like.
Ready to discover your signature scent? Shop Péthalo via its website or Lazada. And follow the brand on Facebook for more updates.
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. The actual color, appearance, size, and shape of the item might be slightly different from the ones shown in the pictures.
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