We’ve heard it too often: say it with flowers. And indeed, flowers are still the best way to express our feelings to one another. What could be more vocal than a shock of red roses, or shy carnations, or chatty lilies wrapped in wrinkly brown paper? Flowers can be both a whisper and a megaphone of our love for our special someone.

The Christmas and Valentine season are understandably the peak season for much flower shop in the Philippines. After all, these are the times when we all need to say what we have to say the loudest.

Perhaps, the most famous flower shop in the Philippines is found in Dangwa. Actually, Dangwa isn’t just one flower shop, but rows of it, a whole complex of bustling flower shops situated in the most unlikely place, the jeepney-smogged and dusty Dapitan Street corner Laong Laan in Manila. But this fragrant intersection of wild blooms and hurtling vehicles is exactly what makes Dangwa the most visited flower shop in the Philippines.

Philippine Flower Shop Forever Abloom

Flowers, not just visitors, literally flock to Dangwa. For decades, Dangwa has been the “bagsakan", the unloading place of Philippine flowers that come from the cool mountains of Baguio, up north, (just like Farmer’s Market in Cubao is the “bagsakan" of Baguio vegetables). Sure enough, the ever sleepless Dangwa Transit of Baguio-Manila buses makes its home in Dangwa.

Flowers from other countries also make the trip to Dangwa, so that its loyal patrons—from the everyday duster-wearing housewife to car-driven celebrities—have a wide array of blooms to choose from, be it imported or patriotically Philippine flowers.

Chinese Take-out Philippine flowers

The first thing one will notice about this curious flower shop in the Philippines is that the bouquets there always come wrapped in Chinese newspaper. This is because most flower shops there are owned by Chinese families—known for their generosity and profuseness when it comes to giving flowers. Call it Philippine flowers lost in translation, or call it the best Chinese take-out ever.

The next time you find yourself in Dangwa, in this wild garden amidst the asphalt streets, in perhaps the only true flower shop in the Philippines, don’t be shy. Ask for crazy orchids, for violets, for startled daisies, nasturtiums, pouts tulips, and other Philippine flowers at their best.

It’s a lovely Chinese take-out for your loved ones: their best fill ever.