By David Vera
Tacloban City’s annual flower fair at Plaza Rizal opened in preparation for All Saints’ Day, providing local flower vendors a chance to showcase their products while ensuring affordable options for residents. The event, organized by the City Cooperative Development and Livelihood Assistance Office, runs until November 2.
The fair features marigolds, chrysanthemums, orchids, and roses, traditional offerings for honoring the deceased. Vendors operate with reduced costs, benefiting both sellers and buyers. This initiative supports Tacloban’s economy while catering to the UNDAS tradition, where families pay respects to their loved ones.
UNDAS, the Filipino observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, holds deep cultural significance, emphasizing family unity and remembrance. Tacloban’s flower fair also reflects the city’s resilience, as it continues to rebuild following Typhoon Haiyan’s devastation in 2013.