THERE is a special science in the art of floristry. It doesn’t merely involve the eyes to see whether a flower looks good with another flower for a bouquet or a floral arrangement. It should also involve social skills like sympathy and empathy, thinking about the recipient of the flowers and whether or not the arrangement suits the occasion.
For some, floristry is even just a hobby – something you do to pass the time. Others think it’s a woman thing and that men don’t even get near it. There’s always a stereotype to everything and that’s what it is for floristry.
But Peter Naurice Pegarro decided to deviate from the norm and go pursue his passion in creating and designing. Growing up, Peter enjoyed the company of his Lego toys creating something grand from his humble blocks. Because of this he came to appreciate creating more and more. He became fond of coming up with something artistic from nothing.
“Mas mag-enjoy ko sa Lego which is a blank canvass na ikaw magbuhat-buhat ato compared sa mga dulaan na nabuhat na daan (I enjoyed playing Lego which I saw as a blank canvass from which I can create something as compared to other toys which you just immediately play with),” Peter shared.
His entire childhood was formed with him creating and expressing his creativity. When he became a nursing student in San Pedro College, Peter would give bouquets to his then girlfriend and now wife. Eventually, he realized that he can actually do something as creative as a floral arrangement rather than settling with a store-bought and already-arranged bouquet.
He self-studied floral arrangement, read books, and did his research. In 2008-2009, he decided to open his very own online flower delivery business. By that time, not a lot of people in Davao City have even thought of the business idea. He opened it on Friendster and slowly the market caught on.
“Usually they say, think outside the box. Pag-abot man gud sa ing-ani na negosyo, dili pwede na creativity ra. You have to think of your customers. Ang proseso sa akong paghimo is dili lang magthink outside the box pero magtan-aw sad kag lain na boxes. (When you’re in this business, creativity is not enough. My process of creating is not only to think outside the box but also looking at other boxes),” he said.
Floristry, especially when it is pursued as a business, is more than just a hobby. It is a combined skill in arts, people management, business management, and so much more. But Peter acknowledges that the art aspect of this should not be compromised as well. He understands that there should be good balance between the business and the arts.
“Para sa akua controlled art mi kay dili pud pwede self-expression lang tanan as an artist. Ang amua ginaisip namo kung unsa ang ma-feel sa mudawat or at the same time kung unsa tong na-feel sa nagahatag (For me, we are controlled art because as artists, we self-expression is not enough. We think of what the recipient will feel and what the giver felt),” Peter said.
Now, 10 years after, from a Friendster business, FG Davao has since expanded to two branches and has delivered bouquets, cakes, chocolates, stuffed toys and other tangible forms of love expression to thousands of Dabawenyos and others outside Davao City.
“Isa sa mga maingon nako na nahimo ming successful ani na negosyo, is the unique perspective na naa ang lalaki pagcreate sa flowers. Babae usually ang recipient. So nakatabang pud na ang akong [business] partner akong wife kay siya ang tigdawat sa una pero as a lalaki kabalo ko unsaon pag-approach sa kliyente na lalaki. So gwapo to siya na combination sa among business (As a man, I am able to have a unique perspective in creating flower arrangements. I know how to approach our male clients. This works great for our business),” he said.