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Katol but make it aesthetic: This incense coil selling for around P3,000 is going viral

By John Patrick Magno Ranara Published Jun 09, 2026 8:20 pm

If you grew up in the Philippines, the smell of burning katol is a core memory. When mosquitoes suddenly invade a room, out comes the green coil incense. But now, a luxury fragrance brand is reimagining the green spiral, selling it for around P3,000.

Diptyque, a luxury fragrance brand based in Paris, France, recently introduced its Citronnelle (Lemongrass) Spiral incense as part of its summer collection. According to the description, the item gives off a fresh, herbaceous lemongrass scent and "releases relaxing notes recalling the peaceful air of a water garden."

Each set contains six spirals as well as an exclusive oval incense holder with a gold finish, designed to hold the spiral and protect the surface.

Diptyque

The incense is priced at €45 (P3,196), and while Diptyque describes it as a luxurious summer fragrance, some Asians were quick to point out its uncanny resemblance to a far more familiar household item: mosquito coil.

Invented in Japan by Eiichiro Ueyama in the late 1800s, the first iterations were actually straight sticks that burned out too quickly. The coils that we know now came in 1895 when his wife, Yuki, suggested coiling the incense into a spiral, extending the burn time. It typically costs just P30 to P50 depending on the type and brand—and yes, it smells harsh and unpleasant.

Diptyque

"Ikaw galing mansyon, ako galing kalye," one user joked, showing a picture of a lavender-scented mosquito coil by local pest control brand Baygon.

"Oh to be the mosquito that dies smelling Diptyque citronnelle… like, what a diva! even pests have a more luxurious death than my dating life," another user posted.

In a Reddit thread, many commenters expressed their shock at how price the product is for something that resembles a common household item. 

"My guess is this is just sawdust with some essential oil added to it and the same thing can be bought in the 'outdoor' section of your favorite department store for 10% of the price," a Redditor wrote.

One user said, "We did it. We gentrified incense," while another joked, "Hey, return my grandma's mosquito coil."

Diptyque said that the collection aims to give customers a "refreshing, sensorial escape at the heart of a water garden."

To use it, you should gently separate the ends of the two interlocking spirals and slowly pull them apart to release the pair, leaving only one spiral. Afterwards, lift the central tab of the metal holder and gently fit the center of the incense spiral onto its holder.

Diptyque cautioned customers to void inhaling the smoke directly and to never leave it burning unattended.