WHEN special occasions come around, you might be scrambling to find a trusty florist that can get you gorgeous long-stemmed roses or that bright assorted bouquet.
Thankfully, one of the Philippines’ leading flower shop, Anna York Flowers finally opened its doors in Pampanga.
Anna York Flowers is known all over the country as a luxury rose brand and the only importer specializing in Ecuadorian roses and English garden roses. Its main branch is located in Mandaluyong.
According to its owner, doctor and former politician, Dr. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum, the business started in 1983 and was founded by her late mother, Margarita Puyat Bondoc, one of the pioneers of the Philippine floral industry.
“The original floral business was established by mom who has been a florist for the last thirty years. After she passed away in 2011, I inherited it. At first, I thought of closing the business because I don’t have any idea how to run a flower shop. But later on, I realized that the venture is thriving and I actually need to take charge for the sake of our employees and suki,” she shared.
“Years later, I mastered the ins and outs of the business and eventually improve our management. With our strong marketing and online presence, we were able to put up over 250 distributorship nationwide. Our roses go as far as La Union up to Zamboanga,” she added.
From then, Anna York Flowers has built a reputation as the go-to flower shop for significant milestones and even simple yet memorable occasions.
Sagum noted that the flower shop also takes pride on gracing some of the country’s esteemed 5-star hotels, fashion shows, magazines, blog photo shoots, and exhibits.
“Our roses are now featured in the biggest celebrity weddings. I have done work for media, fashion, entertainment and publishing, and advise the leading event stylists on roses and colors,” she said.
As a trained floral designer and the only Filipino luxury rose expert, Sagum highlighted that it is her mission to bring luxury Ecuadorian roses, dubbed as the very best roses in the world, to the modern Filipino.
“Our primary product is our Ecuadorian roses which comes from Ecuador, a country in South America. Not known to many, Ecuador is the best place in the world to grow roses because of its volcanic soil and high altitude,” she explained.
“The difference of Ecuadorian roses from others is that its head is actually so big and has a bright color. We directly import our roses twice a week, and purchase only from select Ecuadorian flower farms which are certified safe, environmentally respectful and worker friendly,” she continued.
Aside from exquisite Ecuadorian roses, Sagum furthered the flower shop also offers imported tulips from Holland.
Committed to cater to more customers in the countryside, Sagum tells that she is eager to share the Anna York Flowers experience to Kapampangans.
“We want to contribute to the flower industry of Pampanga. We believe that there’s really a market here, because as we all know, magagarbo talaga ang mga Kapampangans,” she said.
“With our aim to offer something new and unique here in the province, we will open up another branch in SM Pampanga this coming October 15. This, aside from our newly-opened branch in Marquee Mall,” she noted.
Anna York Flowers is located in front of National Book Store and Caramia in Marquee Mall, Angeles City, Pampanga. For more information, check out Anna York Flower’s official Facebook page: Anna York Flowers and Instagram: @annayorkflowers. You may also visit www.anayorkflowers.com. (Erika Mariel Gines)