For the longest time, Filipinos have consumed imported fragrances to satisfy their olfactory needs due to the limited availability of local perfume brands. However, several visionaries are now changing this narrative, launching their own perfume brands with the hope of putting the Philippines on the map of the perfume industry. One such fragrance enthusiast is John Greg Parilla.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GREG PARILLA | 🇵🇠(@iamjohngreg)Down the memory laneHailing from the province of Rizal, Parilla’s journey into the world of fragrance began with a simple compliment. While working in sales, his colleagues’ positive comments about his scent sparked an interest that quickly blossomed into a full-blown passion. Now, Greg is not only a content creator with thousands of followers but also the founder of clothing brand Habit and co-founder of GP Fragrances, crafting scents that tell stories and celebrate Filipino identity.
Greg's early experiences were a mix of experimentation and online learning. He explored mainstream fragrances, guided by online resources like Jeremy Fragrance and Fragrantica forums. “I didn’t know anyone who shared this interest back then,” he recalls, emphasizing the self-taught nature of his early explorations.
This independent spirit would prove crucial in navigating the challenges that lay ahead.The biggest hurdle, he admits, was financial. Perfume collecting is an expensive hobby, and balancing a sales job with inconsisten.
