The Growing Flower Of Dangwa

Looking for the best Philippine flower shops? Well there isn't any better place than to look on the streets of Dos Castillas, particularly those along Laon Laang street. There is a place in that street popular for its collection of beautiful collections of local and imported flowers, as well as an over of 50 stalls set-up along Dos Castillas and other parallel streets in Dimasalang, Sampaloc, Manila. This place is known as the Dangwa Flower Market.

Dangwa Flower Market, or more commonly known as simple Dangwa, is a location in the heart of Manila that specializes in providing Filipinos wide ranges of flowers as well as floral arrangements. So what's so popular about the place? The thing that made that place very popular compared to those philippine flower shops found in malls and shopping centers, are the prices of each flower sold in the market. On a regular day, roses can be bargained for as low as P50 a dozen. Haggling is also allowed in the market.

Other popular and historical events
Other than its prices, which is relatively cheaper compared to other shops, Dangwa was also known for its achievements and historical contribution. The flower market was said to have started on 1976. The market was then surrounded by middle-class neighborhoods. During the 80's and the 90's, the market has surpassed the fame of competitors in Quiapo, Manila and Baclaran.

The market is also known to have served the government in the Marcos regime. It is said that the market's golden years is during the time when Imelda Marcos was the First Lady. At that time the market provided flowers for big flower shops which in turn decorated the Malacanang Palace, which was an honorable task for flower vendors.

Dangwa as Tourist Spot
Although not as grand as other tourist spots in the Philippines, several tourists have also come to enjoy the flowers sold on that market. Unlike before when it was just a street, packed with different Philippine flower shops, the Dangwa Flower Market has now been renovated to perfectly suit the atmosphere pertaining to flowers and floral decorations. Part of its main attraction is its lamp posts shaped like a flower. This beautification project was started by former Manila mayor Lito Atienza as part of his late campaign to beautify the streets of Manila.