Days before nov. 1 & 2 Prices of flowers, candles go up

CEBU, Philippines - As retailers have warned earlier, prices of flowers and candles have started to go up now ahead of the yearly observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day this weekend.

Costs of various fresh flowers in the market have increased by double digits, leaving consumers with two choices: avail the high prices or find cheaper options.

Prevailing flower prices are the following: Chrysanthemums is selling at P100 to P150, depending on the size; Anthurium is sold at P100 to P120 per dozen from P60 before; Malaysian Mums is bought at P120 to P150 a dozen from P80 to P110 before; a dozen of Wonder White is selling at P60 from the previous P40; and Gladula is offered at P50 a dozen from P49.

Orchids are sold between P120 to P300, depending on the variety. Vendors suggested that those who are budgeting can buy the local white roses priced at P120 per dozen.

Several types of flowers from provinces and other nations such as China and Holland have also started to come in.

Better sales

Flower vendors who are currently selling along P. Lopez Street in Cebu City's downtown area said that despite the expected high prices, they are still expecting a spike in demand of these seasonal items.

They expressed optimism for better sales today and come Friday as Filipinos begin to visit their departed loved ones in cemeteries.

The said street is currently being closed to give market vendors the opportunity to display their goods and reach to many customers in time of the remembrance of the departed loved ones.

"Karong semanaha nisugod pagsaka ang mga presyo pero sa among nabantayan mamalit gihapon ang mga tawo kay kinahanglanon man gud siya," said 46-year-old Cecilia Yungco who comes from Compostela town. She is with her family now in the city to sell flowers.

Vendors in the street have spent more or less P2,000 for operational costs to be able to trade in the said area.

They are paying for electricity costs, taxes to the city government and rent fee for the wooden stalls and bamboo beds (lantay) they are using.

Nelsa Bunghanoy, who owns a stall at the Freedom Park, said supply of flowers is enough due to the favorable weather recently.

"Di nihit ang supply, nisaka lang ang presyo tungod sa demand sa mga tawo," said the 59-year-old woman who has a flower farm in a mountain barangay in Busay, Cebu City.

Candle prices

On the other hand, market vendors are selling vigil candles (those placed in glass cups) at P35 (smallest) to P120 (biggest). Stick cadles can be bought in various sizes: a 50-piece pack of dwarf candles is at P70; for extra large, P85 to P90; and for large size, P40 to P45.

Candle seller Malou Estella, 28, is hoping to sell many of her products so she could regain her capital she borrowed from a lender.

Her family was one of the victims of the fire that hit Warwick Barracks months ago. Other sellers beside her stall were also victims.

"Nanghinaot mi nga maayo lang unta ang palit aron makabawi mi sa capital nga giutang namo kay nagkalisod man mi ron. Biktima man mi atong sunog sa Warwick," the woman shared.

In addition, prices of Liwanag candles have increased by P2.06 to P2.42 percent due to the rising cost of paraffin wax, a major element of the product.

Stick candles can be bought cheaper at as low as P1 each at the cemetery gates or even inside the graveyard.

When The Freeman visited yesterday the Freedom Park and nearby retail locations, people had started to flock to flower and candle stalls to buy the seasonal items. The surge of buyers are expected to prevail until November 1. (FREEMAN)