Thursday, July 26, 2007 Brisk demand for fresh flowers seen
AN INCREASE in demand for fresh flowers has been noted by the flower industry of Davao City.
Angel Puentespina of Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants Inc., in an interview Monday, said there is now a good demand for fresh flowers, the same observation shared to them by their counterparts in the Luzon area.
Puentespina who also heads the 4th Waling Cup said that the nationwide floral designers' competition aims to enhance the growing demand of fresh flowers in the country despite the entry of flowers coming from the neighboring countries.
He said orchids from Bangkok and lilies from Taiwan are among the fresh flowers that find their way to the Philippine market.
Even as this developed, flowers from local growers still fetch a steady market and preferred by buyers.
Puentespina said that the Waling Cup on August, slated at SM City's Entertainment Plaza on August 4, will highlight the country's best floral designers.
With its theme: The Colors of Davao, the 4th Waling Cup challenges the creativity of established and promising floral designers to incorporate in their creations the textures of Southern Philippines.
He said as an added feature in preparation for the coming Halloween festivities in October, the competition will pick on the imagination of participating arrangers to whisk ingenious and enchanting designs utilizing giant pumpkins raised by farms of Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants Inc.
The event will also include a floral arrangement demo by award winning Australian floral designer, Mark Pampking on August 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a week-long exhibition of the winning entries at the SM City Davao, and a floral arrangement competition among Hotel and Restaurant Management students of the Davao universities and colleges.
The event is in cooperation with Smithers Oasis of Malaysia, Jasam Floral Sundries, Department of Tourism, and Davao City Tourism Association.
