THE prices of flowers in Cagayan de Oro City have increased, whereas the candles remained the same, as people prepared for the coming All Saints and All Souls Day.
Flower vendors located in the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral said the prices of their flowers have increased as some of the flower planters also increased their rates.
"Usa sad, daghan kaayo'g komprador gikan sa Cebu, Davao. Daghan na kaayo na. Mao nay usa makapataas sa presyo kay tungod sa mga komprador," Mary Jane Ministerio of Nicnic Flower Shop.
(Firstly because there are already a lot of buyers from Cebu, Davao. That is the reason why prices go up)
Another thing, according to Genevieve Polito, the owner of Lucy Fresh Flowershop, the fact that there's an incoming storm was also factored in the increase of flower prices.
Ministerio also said the increase in the prices of her flowers is minimal.
"Gataas gyud sya pero dili gyud ingon nga taas gyud kaayo. Depende man sad na sa klase sa bulak. Gamay ra man sad ang increase, dili pud ingon nga taas gyud kaayo. Ang rose tag P20 ang usa. Naa pud mi tag P10, naay pud tag P20, depende sa klase," Ministerio said.
(It is really increase but its not that high. It will still depend on the type of the flower. There is only a minimal increase. A rose costs P20 each. We also have P10, P20 depending on the type)
"Okay lang siya. Dili kaingon sa Teacher's Day, Mother's Day og Valentine's, taas gyud ang [presyo] sa bulak. Pero karon, increase inig gamay ra man," Polito, for her part, said.
(It’s okey. It’s not the same as Teacher’s Day, Mother’s Day and Valentines Day when the prices are really high. The increase now is only minimal)
Dondon of Susep Velez Flower Shop, on the other hand, has increased the sale of his flowers by adding an additional P20 in each of his flowers.
From P35 for a stalk of Malaysian Mumps, the said flower now is at P50. A dozen of roses will now cost P2,000 as opposed to P1,000 before.
Ofredo also mentioned that there will be no further increase in the prices of the flowers and candles even if its on the All Soul's Day.
The annual Kalag-kalag or Undas to the Tagalog-speaking, typically celebrated in the first two days of November, is traditionally about visiting the grave of departed love ones in the cemetery, offering flowers, candles and prayers and remembering memories spent with them.