Dangwa flower market

Dangwa Flower Market, also known as the Bulaklakan ng Maynila (Flower Market of Manila), is a fresh flower market in the Sampaloc area of Manila, in the Philippines. The market is composed of several small individually-owned stalls and street vendors selling flowers wholesale and retail 50 to 90 percent cheaper than Metro Manila's flower shops. In 2004, it was home to 50 flower vendors. Most vendors, but not all, are members of the Dangwa Flower Market Association. The market is centered on Dos Castillas Street at the intersection with Dimasalang Road extending to other streets like Lacson Avenue and Maria Clara Street.

The Dangwa Flower Market derived its name from Dangwa Tranco Terminal, the bus station adjacent to the market.

The flower market was said to have started around 1976, it was then surrounded by middle-class residential area. There used to be a book publishing company called Alip & Sons in the neighborhood. The place grew in popularity as a flower market due to the presence of Dangwa Tranco company with buses coming from Benguet, where most of the cut flowers are produced, delivering fresh blooms and making the nearby area as the first place where the fresh flowers are unloaded.

By the 1980s and the 1990s, the market had surpassed its competitors in Quiapo, Manila and Baclaran in popularity. The market vendor had attributed its growth during the Marcos era when Imelda Marcos was the First Lady with her lavish lifestyle. At that time the market provided flowers for big flower shops, which in turn decorated the Malacañang Palace.

In 1994, one hardworking business owner started operating for 24 hours due to the growing demand. Soon the rest of the flower vendors decided to operate on a 24-hour basis. The advent of modern technology, specifically short message service (SMS) or "texting", has tremendous impact in the industry providing improved communication with the rural farmers and efficiency in transporting the flowers at a lower cost. SMS have also prevented losses as the flower dealers can easily send feedback to the farmers as to what, and when flowers would be in demand.

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Wikipedia