SELLING flowers during Undas is more than just a business. For many vendors, it is an act of love, empathy, and connection, as families flock to cemeteries to honor their departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, observed every November 1 and 2, respectively.
Though flowers are perishable, seasoned vendors like Lucilyn de la Paz and Rolando Mana-ay said they have never incurred losses during this period. With a minimum capital of around P100,000, the four-day selling period from October 30 to November 2 consistently brings gains that make the investment worthwhile.
Mana-ay, who has been vending flowers at the Bacolod plaza for years, candidly shared that he cannot recall any losses.
“Every year, there are only gains,” he said. “Selling flowers is not just about business — it’s about beauty, connection, and respect for people’s sentiments. And yes, the earnings are real.”
Blooms produce
Meanwhile, the town of Murcia, just 15 kilometers from Bacolod City, is known as the “Blooms Capital” of Negros Occidental. The upland barangay of Minoyan produces a variety of flowers, with baby’s breath (Gypsophila) being particularly popular for arrangements.
Flower farming in Minoyan has long been a vital livelihood, but operations remain small-scale, producing only 40 to 50 bundles weekly. Their largest sales come during the end of October, in time for the Undas observance. For local farmers, this seasonal demand is crucial to their income, as the tradition of honoring the dead “means business” for them.
Despite this, Minoyan’s supply alone is insufficient to meet Bacolod and Negros Occidental’s total demand. Vendors in the “City of Smiles” therefore rely on imported flowers from Taptap, Cebu; Baguio City; and Dangwa in Manila.
Advance planning and optimism
According to De la Paz, president of Bacolod’s vendors’ federation, relying solely on Murcia flowers is not enough. Vendors must make advance bookings with suppliers from Cebu, Baguio, and Dangwa to ensure sufficient stock. With a minimum capital of P100,000, De la Paz hopes for brisk sales this year, confident that earnings will surpass expectations.
This year, popular flower varieties flooding the Bacolod plaza include chrysanthemums such as rados and Malaysian mums, as well as roses, wonders, and puto-puto, among others. Arrangements are sold from P100 to P2,000, catering to all budgets. Around 150 vendors participate, with most of their stock sourced from Cebu, Baguio, and Dangwa, while only a small fraction comes from Murcia.
The local government of Bacolod charges each vendor P400 for four days of stall space, equivalent to P100 per day for every 1.5-meter space outside the public plaza.
For vendors like De la Paz and Mana-ay, flower vending during Undas is not just a trade — it is a way of participating in a deeply human ritual, helping families express love and remembrance, while earning a living from the beauty they provide./PN
