Dangwa
A rainy day isn’t the best time to visit the place, but if you’ve never heard of Dangwa -the flower market in Sampaloc- you cannot yet consider yourself a real “Manilenyo”. It is home to over fifty flower vendors and a haven to the diverse daily crowd of visitors looking for the cheapest blooms that’ll fit the occasion.
I’d be foolish to suppose myself a connoisseur in floral affairs, but when the organizer of last year’s Ad Congress declares that the weekday night wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the brightest spot in Dos Castillas, I’d be happy to oblige. I’d be happy to come along and learn. And you should, too.
Bring a camera if you wish (the colors will simply astound you), and take the liberty of posing beside those remarkably cheap chrysanthemums, the price of which you may still haggle with the vendor. To my knowledge, all the shops are open 24-7. Accessible, eh? If you’re running on a really tight budget for those imported tulips, a trip to Dangwa just might be your best bet. Dangwa’s flowers are, by nature, completely the opposite of today’s gasoline: there’s always a great supply; it’s affordable even in high demand; and the pricing won’t make you think twice.
For a guy like me, Dangwa comes in handy during the most sudden of dates. For the rest of the pack, Dangwa represents what Manila is all about: creativity, color, cut-price commodities, and cherished traditions. Oh, and of course, the familiar chatter of Pinoy customers asking for “tawad, tawad po, wala bang tawad?”
I love Dangwa! Indeed, it’s simply one of the perfect places to get flowers anywhere in the Metro.
I’ve never been to Dangwa. I have seen many pictures and have heard a lot of stories about the place — cheaper prices, variety, etc…. It’s intriguing, alright. Are there safe parking spaces near the area, Migs?
Unfortunately, Toni, there isn’t. Unless you have a driver who’ll look over your car, I suggest you travel the old-fashioned way: commute. Hehe. Cheers! =)
Ah, thanks Migs! That’ll be quite an adventure. :) Hopefully I get to do that soon!