Distilling elemi: a Filipino-Bicolano journey ofinnovation and aromatherapy By Engr. Genesis L. Fabia, MBA, SSChE
- Aromatika Magazine
- Dec 5, 2025
- 2 min read
Pg. 88-94 - 6-minute read
Elemi has always been more than a resin to me; it’s a piece of Filipino heritage with untapped potential. For generations, local communities have used it in everyday life—from fire starting to salves and incense—often unaware of its global value in perfumery and aromatherapy. Its fresh, lemony-pine scent and grounding, clarifying properties make it a treasure in wellness circles, yet it remains underappreciated compared to mainstream oils. That gap, and the promise I saw in our own indigenous resources, became the spark for my journey.
It all began in 2011, when my university thesis focused on designing an essential oil distiller specifically for Elemi. What started as academic curiosity quickly reshaped my future: our prototype achieved higher yields than traditional methods, and the project evolved into a mission to elevate Elemi, support communities in Bicol, and bring engineering innovation to an overlooked industry. This eventually led to the creation of AWCSI and AWC Engineering, where we developed high-efficiency, sustainable distillation systems powered by renewable and alternative energy sources. As both an engineer and a trained aromatherapist, I built our processes around precision, integrity, and a deep respect for the oils we produce.
Today, our work goes far beyond equipment. We partner with farmers, advocate for sustainable tapping practices, apply data-driven process monitoring, and operate diversified distillation lines while developing value-added wellness products under AWC Naturals. Every run, every training, every collaboration reflects our belief that essential oil production in the Philippines can be world-class, sustainable, and community-centered. Elemi may have been our beginning, but it also continues to guide our vision: to build an integrated, proudly Filipino essential oil industry that honors both science and tradition—and carries our story into the global aromatherapy world.
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