wow888 Dangwa flower vendors hope for last-minute sales rush before ‘Undas’

The white radus flowers on display in a stall at Dangwa Flower Market in Manila owned by Julma Wascnesen, 41, a farmer and a wholesaler.

MANILA, Philippines — Julma Wascnesen left her hometown in Benguet’s La Trinidad town a few days ago to try her luck once more in the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila to sell the cut flowers her family grew.

Wacnesen is among the several vendors of small individually-owned stalls along the crossroads of perennially congested Dos Castillas Street and Dimasalang Street.

Article continues after this advertisement

Wacnesen brought her goods in her rented stall only on Oct. 26, hoping to sell all of her white radus flowers before November 1 to make a decent profit and to cover the rent and transport costs.

FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Leon now a typhoon; 4 Luzon areas under Signal No. 2 NEWSINFO Pagasa 11 p.m. update: Signal No. 5 possible over Batanes, Babuyan Is. NEWSINFO Leon may become super typhoon

“I hope it all gets sold…but I don’t think it will,” Wacnesen, a wholesaler, told INQUIRER.net in Filipino on Tuesday, Oct. 29, as she noted that in previous years, many of their flowers remain unsold.

The 41-year old also said there is much to be thankful for as her fields were spared from the effects of Kristine, which killed hundreds of people as it pummeled most of Luzon.

Article continues after this advertisement

Flower arrangements and baskets on display at one of the shops in Dangwa Flower Market.

“The rains were non-stop, but the winds were not that strong,” Wacnesen said. “By God’s grace, we were not really affected.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Wacnesen and other vendors told INQUIRER.net that the recent tropical cyclone did not affect flower prices.

Article continues after this advertisement

But they said slow sales as of Tuesday, Oct. 29, is more of an issue.

The prices of flower baskets in the area range from P150 up to P750.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Our sales are still matumal (slow), we only sold two baskets since this morning,” Joan Amparo, 28, a flower shop assistant, told INQUIRER.net in Filipino. “There were only a few shoppers because they are still at work.”

Sheila Mary Buizing, 30, a flower shop keeper, said normal bouquets were more in-demand for the past few days unlike the baskets and arrangements for undas.

“As of today (Tuesday afternoon) we have not sold anything yet,” Buizing told INQUIRER.net in Filipino, whose flower shop is open for 24 hours.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Vendors said their sales will start to increase on Wednesdaywow888, Oct 30 until the eve of the holidays, when the demand will be on its peak.

READ NEXT Abante: Duterte’s confession can actually lead to filing of ... Pagasa 11 p.m. update: Signal No. 5 possible over Batanes, Bab... EDITORS' PICK LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Leon Avoid food poisoning after floods, disasters: What to know Provincial buses allowed to use Edsa until Nov. 4 morning for Undas Senate urged to send Duterte ‘confession’ to ICC Index crime rate in PH down by 61.87% from 2022 to 2024 – PNP EDITORIAL: Elections and quality of life MOST READ 15% of ballot shading eyed LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Leon Senate urged to send Duterte ‘confession’ to ICC House members hit leeway given to Bato, Go in Senate hearing Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments