For Klea Pineda, one of the most important details in a home is something guests immediately notice the moment they walk through the door: its scent.
The Kapuso actress said a home's fragrance leaves a lasting impression on visitors and helps create its own distinct character.
Klea shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the grand opening of Hiessence's Experience Studio at SM Podium in Mandaluyong City on September 20, 2026.
According to Klea, a home's scent often becomes part of what people remember most about a place. More than simply making a space smell pleasant, she believes fragrance can serve as a reflection of the homeowner's personality and even become part of their personal "branding."
Klea said: "Siyempre yun yung first impression kapag ka meron kang bisita, di ba, bago first time na bibisita sa bahay mo, first impression yung amoy...
"And yun yung tatatak talaga sa mga tao sa bibisita sa house mo. Yung smell ng house mo, yung scent.
"So very important siya sa akin kasi nagbibigay siya ng character, nagbibigay siya ng branding sa taong nakatira doon.
"So yun, very important talaga siya and ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na kapagka nababati ng mga bisita na, 'Uy, ambango naman ng house niyo,' Sarap!"
When it comes to fragrances, Klea gravitates toward powdery scents rather than floral ones.
For her, the perfect home fragrance is something light and relaxing, creating a comforting atmosphere after a long day of work.
She shared: "Pagdating sa scents, mas gusto ko yung mga powdery. Hindi yung mga floral, oo.
"Yung mga powdery lang, very light lang na pag umuwi ka ng bahay talagang alam mo mare-relax yung buong sistema mo. Parang, 'I'm home,' parang ganun, after a very long day."
What Klea PINEDA looks for in a diffuser
With numerous scent diffusers available in the market today, PEP.ph also asked Klea what factors she considers before purchasing one.
#1 SMART TECHNOLOGY
While she admitted that price is important, she said she is willing to invest in a product as long as its features match its cost.
One feature she particularly values is smart technology that allows her to control her diffuser remotely through her phone, even before she arrives home.
She explained: "I think yung very important din sa akin for Hiessence kasi kapag ka bago kang umuwi ng bahay, ma-control ko na siya sa phone.
"Kaya ang saya na bago ako umuwi ng house, mabango na agad yung house. And yung room ko, ma-control ko na rin kung gaano kalakas yung mist na lalabas or mahina lang."
Sharing more about the brand's technology, Hiessence brand manager Katrina Erandio revealed that the company's units are designed in the Netherlands, a country known for innovative fragrance systems, cold-air diffusion technology, and app-controlled scent solutions.
Katrina told PEP: "The idea to create about Hiessence in Amsterdam is really know na... like how the cultures, especially when it comes to fragrances, is really big in Europe.
"And when it comes to quality, it's really big there.
"And at the same time, if you know that something is designed in that particular country or in that particular continent or region, it really tells you how good it is.
"But of course, Hiessence is also brought to life by a team of Dutch and Filipino founders.
"So we have a team of Filipino, and then we also have our Dutch partners who are working in our headquarters in Amsterdam."
#2 Quality and longevity matter
Aside from convenience and smart features, scent quality is another major consideration for Klea.
The actress said she appreciates products that provide long-lasting fragrances, noting that a bottle of diffuser oil can last her for more than a month because of its concentrated formulation.
She said: "I think worth it siya dahil yung, kung gaano siya... yung quality niya.
"Yung quality nung scent, mahal siya pero alam mo na long lasting siya pagka tinray mo siya sa house mo.
"Kapag tinray mo siya sa house mo, long-lasting talaga siya."
Katrina said the actress' preferences mirror what many Filipino consumers are looking for today.
"I think the Filipino market right now are very discerning.
"Like, they are willing to spend, their budgets on high ticket items as long as it gives them great value, like, really bang for the buck talaga.
"So what we noticed that they usually ask us is that if they get this particular device with that particular scent, how long will it last?
"So every time that we say na, 'Oh, that could actually last you more than a month,' like the scent. So it makes sense na you're paying for the quality.
"Because if I'm paying this amount of money for a particular product, and then it would last me for a long time, na parang it's super sulit na rin.
"So parang, it's like a one-time investment for them.
"So I think that's really one of the major qualities that I noticed na parang they'd rather pay big one time, but then the device or the product would stay with them for a long time."
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