With the traditional Undas just a few days away, wreath makers in the famous flower market of Dangwa in Sampaloc, Manila are now gearing up for a busy weekend after a two year-hiatus brought about by the pandemic.
The horticulture industry was one of the industries badly-hit by the scourge, particularly the farmers of Benguet, Mountain Province who suffered losses following the declaration of the enhanced community quarantine in March 2020 and the ensuing lockdown of many areas.
The restrictions in mobility prohibited gatherings, events, and celebrations, including the yearly Undas, which draw many participants, resulting in a drop in demand for flowers and the cancellation of pre-ordered flowers for decoration.
According to Ramil Vasquez, owner of Egosie Flower Shop in Dangwa, he lost millions in revenue when the pandemic struck in 2020.
"Our shop was closed as the Manila North Cemetery was also shuttered. I have about 10 staff and since the lockdown, I am the one who provided them food for more than eight months since Metro Manila was in lockdown during that time. I cannot send them home because everyone is barred from entering the provinces. We received ayuda (aid) from the local government but that's not enough.
My savings were depleted. I lost almost P2 million," said Ramil in an interview with the Daily Tribune.
He said sans daily revenue, their rent of about P100,000, continues.
"That's where most of my savings went. Although our landlord gave us leeway, that remained the debt that we must pay. All my hard-earned money was paid for the rent without earning even a single penny for several months. That's the grimmest part of my life as a business owner… when you have to start from scratch," Ramil said in Filipino.
But in the middle part of 2021 when most industries were already given a chance to reopen, he grabbed the opportunity to pick up the pieces and start anew.
"Although Undas 2021 was still prevented from happening, at least people can still visit the tomb of their departed loved ones. Orders are also back for funerals and that signaled us to bounce back," he said.
And as the government has already greenlighted citizens to come to cemeteries, Ramil hopes that the presence of cemetery visitors will bring back the losses that the Covid 19 has incurred them.
Lucrative business
Meanwhile, Ramil's wife Elsie, revealed that selling wreaths is more lucrative than owning a classy flower shop.
"We are renting P100,000 a month but we are still earning good revenue as every day, there are people dying. Funeral wreaths, although creepy, are in demand compared to shops that cater flower arrangements. Valentine's Day, birthdays, and anniversaries are usually done once a year. But so long that there are people who die on a day-to-day basis, then we have a business to attend to," according to Elsie.
She said the revenue that their shop can generate during the slackest season is close to P150,000 a month, while during Undas, they can earn as much as P500,000 from 28 October to 2 November.
Meanwhile, the Manila City Government which oversees Manila North Cemetery — the country's biggest — said they are expecting an influx of about 3 to 4 million visitors on All Souls' Day.
According to the management of the Manila North Cemetery, cleaning, painting, and renovation of graves will be allowed until 25 October, while starting 28 October, internment operations will be temporarily closed and will resume on 3 November.
For those who will visit their departed loved ones, the main gates of the cemeteries are open from 5 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. only starting 29 October until November 2.
Vaccinated children below 12 years will be allowed to enter, the management said.
Further, "videoke" or any sound system that will cause loud sounds are not allowed inside the cemetery, while other banned items include alcoholic beverages, deck cards, bingo cards or gambling materials, flammable materials, firearms, and sharp objects like knives or cutters.