By Nitz Arancon THE prices of red roses in the city have shot up by as much as 400 percent because of the rising demand due to Valentine’s Day but flower vendors said the costs of buying and giving loved ones flowers have remained “minimal.” At the Nic-nic Flower Shop near the St. Augustine Cathedral in Barangay 1, for instance, the price of a red rose increased from P10 to P50 each. Gian Geponia, flower vendor, said, “Sa normal nga adlaw, ang usa ka red rose, P10 lang. Pero karon kay Valentine’s Day man, tag P50 na.” Geponia said a dozen of arranged fresh red roses would now cost P750. The prices of flowers, Geponia explained, depend on the demand  and costs of production and transportation. The flowers come from as far as Baguio City while some of the supplies are coming from Bukidnon, and Jasaan town in Misamis Oriental. Some people take Valentine’s Day very seriously, and even prepare for it the way they do during the yuletide, Nearby, city council employees in red strike a pose after giving their office a Valentine’s Day makeover yesterday. (PHOTO BY NITZ ARANCON)

Nearby, city council employees in red strike a pose after giving their office a Valentine’s Day makeover yesterday.(PHOTO BY NITZ ARANCON)

At city hall, employees at the city council wore red, and decorated their office in order to celebrate Valentine’s Day ahead of the Sunday event, a non-working day. “Among gi-advance ang among Valentine’s decor ug attire kay no work man sa Sunday,” one city council employee said. (nitz arancon)