Maria Katrina Paras

Metro Beauty Insider Fraghead Paolo Gomez

Article (news)

<p>The term &quot;<strong>fraghead</strong>&quot; was coined to describe a certain few, a passionate crop of scent enthusiasts who simply live and breathe fragrances, to put it simply. These passionate hobbyists do not just collect the latest scent out in the market. They search far and wide for niche fragrances, spend a great deal of time appreciating perfume notes, study the lives of perfumers or &quot;noses&quot;, and collect every possible bottle they can, as this brings them great joy. A huge portion of these fragheads can be found online, sharing their content on TikTok, or being in the fragrance industry as a professional keeps the passion for fragrances alive. Such is the case for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/paologomez2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Paolo Gomez</strong></a>, a Brand Manager from <strong>Prestige Brands Philippines</strong>, the distributor of niche fragrances and well-loved brands like Parfums de Marly, Santa Maria Novella, Kilian, and Jo by Jo Loves. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785224087644Fraghead Paolo Gomez.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Paolo Gomez</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Metro.Style: Tell us about what your current job/position entails. What do you handle? How long have you been doing this?  </strong></div><p><strong>Paolo Gomez:</strong> As a Brand<strong> </strong>Manager for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/atelierdeprestigeph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prestige Brands Philippines</a>, it is my responsibility to execute Marketing campaigns and activations that are aligned with the brands that I handle, with the goal of letting the Filipino know about our brands. I handle several niche brands under our portfolio. I have been doing this for just about a year now.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MS: What does a day look like for you? </strong></div><p><strong>PG: </strong>I need to keep myself updated with what is going on in the fragrance industry—both the local and the global market. When it comes to my brands, I check how they market any new releases so I can understand how I should plan and execute the plans from our side. I must keep up to date with the latest trends in social media, in terms of top content creators and influencers, as they do play a vital role in our campaigns. I check in with the local fragrance community about what perfumes or brands are trending and why they are popular. I check up on our boutiques and chat with our Fragrance Consultants (FCs) about which lines are selling. As Sales Frontliners, they deal and spend more time with clients, so they know them very well. This is just a small glimpse of the many other things that happen every day.  </p><div><strong></strong><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785224298362Paolo Gomez with Kilian Hennessy.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Paolo with Kilian Hennessy, founder of Kilian fragrances</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>MS: Tell us about how you started in this industry.  </strong></div><p><strong>PG: </strong>I have always loved perfumes since I was young. Way back in elementary, I remember every time I went to the malls, I always had to pass by the department stores to smell the perfumes and to see if there were new releases. I had the privilege of living abroad in Shanghai and in Dubai, which exposed me more to a whole new world of perfumery. Upon my return to Manila, after being away for almost 20 years, I got invited to one of the events of Prestige Brands Philippines, and that’s where I met the people behind these luxury niche perfume brands. I had a great conversation with them. I was told that they would be bringing more brands to Manila. Without hesitation, behind the scenes, I messaged them and informed them that I am very much interested in being part of their team, and the rest is history. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLbiYaVPYfN/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A20587581.2%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1005" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>MS: What do you love most about being a fraghead?   </strong></div><p><strong>PG: </strong>The world of perfumery is a wonderful thing to be part of. The amount of creativity and amazing scents that I get to smell is such an amazing experience. And what makes it even better is being able to meet with fellow fragheads who are as passionate as I am. We would spend all day just talking about perfumes, and there is never a dull moment. </p><div> </div><div><strong>MS: What do you think caused the resurgence of fragrances in the industry?</strong></div><p><strong>PG:</strong> I remember more than 20 years ago we already had a few niche perfumes in the Philippines. Fast forward to the help of social media; I believe there have been significant factors in how the Philippine market was made aware of these brands, and this caused the resurgence of fragrances. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785225293586SnapInsta.to_571057383_18536736238055356_5596067220705363182_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Paolo with Thai actors Willam and Est at the Parfums de Marly launch in Manila</span></span></span></div><div> </div><div><strong>MS: What are your top three personal favorite fragrances of all time? What&#x27;s next on your wishlist?  </strong></div><p><strong>PG: </strong>This is a question that we fragheads always find difficult to answer. Our taste in perfume is constantly changing. One day we love one fragrance, the week after, it’s a completely different scent. However, from the brands that we carry at Prestige Brands Philippines, my top personal favorites would be: <strong>Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle</strong> – one of the most elegant perfumes I have ever smelled, <strong>More Than Words by Xerjoff</strong> – a dark rose, leather, oud combination that is beguiling and regal, <strong>Nanshe by Nishane</strong> – a creamy, woody, powdery with a touch earthiness fragrance that is very opulent. If I were to give you my wishlist, I would be able to occupy this entire page! To name a few: <strong>The Promise by Frederic Malle, Melograno by Santa Maria Novella, Quattro Pizzi by Casamorati, Ganymede by Marc Antoine Barrois.  </strong></p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785229598938Paolo Gomez Picks.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>MS: Who are the international perfumers you look up to?  </strong></div><p><strong>PG: </strong>There are so many brilliant perfumers who exist today. If I were to choose, these are my top favorites: Bertrand Duchaufour, Dominique Ropion, Maurice Roucel, Sophia Grojsman, Antoine Lie, Quentin Bisch, Ernest Beaux and Jacques and Jean Paul Guerlain. </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>MS: What do you love most about what you do?  </strong></div><p><strong>PG: </strong>I love that I am surrounded by wonderful perfume creations, fellow perfume lovers, and a wonderful team and colleagues who are very supportive—Prestige Brands Group! </p><div><em><br/></em></div><div><em>Follow Paolo on</em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/paologomez2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em> Instagam</em></a><em>.</em></div>

<p>There's more to scents than meets the nose. We spoke to certified fraghead Paolo Gomez about his passion for fragrances.</p>

There's more to scents than meets the nose. We spoke to certified fraghead Paolo Gomez about his passion for fragrances.

Metro Beauty Insider: Certified Fraghead Paolo Gomez

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Metro Beauty Insider: Certified Fraghead Paolo Gomez

Kate Paras-Santiago

Published July 28, 2026 05:00 PM PHT

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Updated July 28, 2026 05:29 PM PHT

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