Dangwa: Manila's Home of the Finest Flowers for Various Occasions

Giving flowers to someone can mean a lot. It is one way of showing our most intimate affections that words cannot define. In fact, there are several special occasions in our calendar when flowers are an essential part of the celebration: Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and festivals, among others.

So when you find yourself looking for the right flowers to fit the occasion, take time to visit this one place in Sampaloc, Manila. There you can find not only bounteous blooms, but also floral experts who will readily guide you in your quest—the place is no other than Dangwa.

The Dangwa fresh flower market, which began with just a few stalls in 1976, now has more than 50 individual shops offering ample kinds of flowers from local to foreign picks. Did you know that each kind and color of flowers have corresponding meanings? And that specific events call for certain flower arrangements? Clueless? Don’t worry! Dangwa florists are here to rescue!

Admit it: a year would feel rather incomplete without a Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air and everybody has sparkling eyes because, aside from Christmas Day, Valentine’s is the season to celebrate loving and being loved. The most common gift to send to our dear ones is a bouquet of flowers. Roses, tulips, and orchids are best bets.

Walk along the streets of Laon Laan and Dimasalang and you can easily find ready-made, ordinary bouquets that you can send to you partners, mothers, and friends. These bouquets usually cost Php300 to Php400 each. Prices may go up during peak seasons to Php1500 to Php2000. Special bouquets that have more pricey flowers and intricate arrangements cost around Php700 to Php850 on ordinary days, which might go higher up to Php1500 to Php4000 during peak seasons. Customers may also request for a bouquet of roses for the same price as special bouquets. These special arrangements are also ideal for birthdays, debut, and anniversaries.

Those on a budget can opt to buy different flowers and do the flower arrangement themselves. Maria Clara Street is where you can find bunches of flowers to choose from. Flowers there are cheaper than those sold in enclosed flower shops. Pink carnation, for example, costs Php80 per bundle. Just add ribbons, wrappers, baskets, or ferns which are also sold around Dangwa. According to the vendors, peak seasons do not necessarily affect the prices of blooms in this area, but the abundance or scarcity of supply from Baguio, Davao, and other suppliers.

The wedding is one of the biggest and most meaningful celebrations that couples carry out to signify their love for each other, so flowers, which symbolize love and well wishes, are an important part of this grand occasion since ancient times. Not surprisingly, there are flower shops in Dangwa market that specializes in flower arrangements for bridal bouquets including the entourage.

Flower arrangement service for a wedding entourage can cost approximately Php15,000. Not bad for a once-in-a-lifetime event like weddings!

Some flower shops in Dangwa also have online shops. For faster and more convenient transactions, customers canvass online for designs and prices. Bouquet Flower Delivery-NCR Philippines and Heidi’s Flower Shop are among the popular shops that have online stores. Customers can inquire about flower arrangement services and place their orders online. These shops also offer gifts or presents which they can deliver to your loved ones in certain places in the Philippines.

Losing a special person in our life is never easy to accept. Sending flowers to a friend who lost a family member is a sign of sending condolences. In Dangwa, sympathy flower arrangements cost Php1000 to Php1200. Sympathy flowers can be found along Dimasalang Street, in front of St. Jude Hospital.

Shopping Tips

When you do shop for flowers in Dangwa, pack a lot of patience for two things: (1) canvassing for cheaper prices of flowers. Never buy a flower at first glance. Roam as far as you can, but always mark the stalls that caught your attention; and (2) dealing with vendors who will relentlessly court you so they can drag you to their stalls while they do heavy sales talk. Also remember that haggling is the key to save. How to do it? A little pa-cute and a slight banter can help. It is best to visit Dangwa on the nights of Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. According to Dangwa merchants, these are the days when fresh flowers from highlands are being delivered to them. However, some might offer you old flowers for cheaper prices. Don’t buy them because they wilt easily and thus compromise the quality of your flower arrangements. Dangwa flower market is operating 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Parking Directions

Nearest parking area is in Chowking, located at Dimasalang Street, near Lacson Avenue. You may also park in nearby streets, however, know that your parked car might cause interruption to traffic. We suggest commuting when going to Dangwa, just like what is usually advisable when visiting public markets.

From Pureza, there is a jeepney terminal in Lardizabal that are Tayuman bound. It will cross España and UST going to Lacson. It will drop you off at Maria Clara Street or Laon Laan, and a few steps more will get you to Dangwa.

From Quiapo, ride a jeepney going to Blumentritt and it will drop you off at one of the nearest streets to Dangwa.