Wedding Digest Philippines Weddings. More fun In the Philippines Edition | Page 240

Special Feature Go for Flowers Text by April Tong If you want to impress... When you need to make her say ‘yes’... For a bouquet that will make all the difference... A FLORAL LEGACY When you ask Go for Flowers owner, Maybelle Focasan – Bacakeo, how she, a Government Servant, became deeply rooted in flowers, she can’t help but answer by talking about the past and the future. While most of her family relocated abroad, her grandmother, a pioneer in Dangwa, considered her a worthy successor and encouraged her to stay and help with the business instead. Ms. Mhae was quick to learn the trade and managed the business smoothly handling their suppliers for flowers and accessories since 1998. In 2006, after formally studying a floral design course to further her knowledge and complement her years of experience, she put up her very own floral business. She didn’t want to just inherit and live by, she wanted to deserve it. And deserve it she did. In 2010, she received the Top Quality Award’s Best Floral and Decoration Service Provider. Now, she sees herself in her younger brother who she encouraged and saw potential in as well. Organic Farming Their flowers are fresh and robust, and carefully harvested by hand. Unlike other shops that get their flowers solely from outsourcing, Go for Flowers has a family-owned land in Benguet especially for growing flowers. Her husband, also a native of Atok Benguet, is a grower of vegetables and now includes flowers. Benguet is known for their rich soil and perfect climate for growing various species of plants and flowers. But she had plans beyond Benguet. After putting up a branch in Isabela, she and her husband thought of expanding by tapping the vast lands available nearby. “We thought only Benguet can give us the flowers we are looking for, but I knew of plants that thrive in hot places. We hired a horticulture specialist to test and analyze the soil in Isabela and Cagayan and to find out what flowers we should focus on planting. We started with Aster.” Aster flowers are the popular fillers now a days that complements and brightens any arrangement of flowers” In a short period of time, their asters grew fast and beautifully. “We then tried another, the Alstroemeria.” The second flower is related to lilies that are rich in colors. And once again, it grew in the lands of Isabela. It was just the start of many more blooms to come. Flowers Within Reach Having relatives who own flower farms and having their own significantly help in making sure their local blooms are of world-class calibre with an honest price. She is quick to clarify though that just because it’s local, it’s not always less expensive than imported flowers. And just because a bouquet is affordable, does not mean it’s of less quality already. A lot is taken into consideration in pricing like flowers, accessories, and design. Her advice, “Look for an impassioned florist with a personal touch that inspires you.” Go for Flowers also offers wholesale flowers and floral materials. For inquiries, call [phone] 0917-519-7683, email [email protected] or you may visit their website http://www.goforflowers.net