Demand for flowers rises for Valentine’s Day

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Flowers at the Iloilo Central Market in City Proper, Iloilo City are expected to sell like hotcakes as Ilonggos celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The most in-demand are red roses, according to 37-year-old flower vendor Janine who owns a flower shop at the Central Market.

“Bakal gihapon ang red rose kay usually amo gid na ginapangita kag ginabakal nila,” Janine said.

The usual red rose ranges from P80 to P100 apiece, according to Janine. Prices usually go up on Valentine’s Day due to high demand.

Meanwhile, special Ecuador blue and rainbow roses can be bought at P250 to P300 apiece while a stem of sunflower will set you back P100.

Arranged or customized bouquets of sunflower/rose ranges sell from P350 to P500 for three pieces.

A dozen of flowers costs P1,500 up, depending on the kind of flower, Janine added.

Josephine Reballos, another flower vendor at Central Market, said Ilonggos would usually flock their flower shops on the eve of Valentine’s Day.

“They would usually buy on February 13. Mostly young professionals would buy our flowers but there are also some young people and elderly who purchase our products,” she said in Hiligaynon.

For Reballos, a flower vendor in the past 10years, Ilonggos are very loving people because their flowers are usually sold out every Valentine’s Day.

“Manugbakal gid sila kay siguro in-love gid sila kay kada February 14 ubos gid amon nga baligya kis-a kulang pa gani,” she said.

The city government has allowed flower vendors to sell on the sidewalks at the Iloilo Central Market for Valentine’s Day.

Reballos said it is much more conducive to sell on the sidewalks of the Central Market.

“Ang iban nga may salakyan indi sila kasulod kon didto kami gabaligya sa sulod sang Central Market mas maayo na lang nga diri kami,” she said.

In other huge malls, chocolates, balloons, stuffed toys arranged in bouquets, and other sweet treats are also on display for lovers who want to surprise their partners.