ossified flowers are fast becoming a democratic product of Quirino state .
It has become one of the best - selling local products that has penetrate the international market . But how did this intersection set out , and who are the pioneers in this industry ?
The popular fossilize flower industry in the state was started by a chemical group of women who were taught how to make fossilized flowers under a program of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the provincial government through then - Governor Junie E. Cua in 1994 .
There were about 30 char who were invite to attend the seminar conducted by Dr. Everette Zingapan of Tuguegarao City . The grooming was held at Cua ’s sign of the zodiac in the town of Cabarroguis .
Fossilized Flower Village in Brgy . Gamiz , Saguday , Quirino supply livelihood to some women in the barangay by hiring them as flush makers . ( Photo good manners of DTI )
One of the trainees , Zenaida Dela Cruz , who is now 92 years old , capitalized on her Modern skills and put up Patrocinio ’s Arts , Gifts , and Decors . The stage business boom , and through her initiative , several grooming were conduct , and many women profit .
The speculation was later renamed Flowerqueen by her daughter , Erlinda Chi .
“ I call up only 20 of them finished the seminar , and some did not uphold because , at that time , there was no money in it ; fossilise efflorescence making was not so pop before , ” Chi said .
Flowerqueen Enterprises and the Fossilized Flower Village are owned by Chi ’s girl , Maria Lynx Brenda Chi , who is crop in Hong Kong .
The Fossilized Flower Village , located at Barangay Gamis in Saguday , has been helping women in the community by either employing them as flush makers or by buying their bloom products , which they deal to different position in the country and even abroad .
arrive at ossified efflorescence is a testament to the enthusiasm , endurance , and creativeness of Quirino women who produce breathtaking graphics that will draw more tourists to the province . ( IPhoto : PIA )
“ So it embark on that manner , and until now , we are doing it . It is benefiting a passel of people who have no engagement , like the mother and grandmothers who are willing to earn through this business sector , ” Chi added .
The flower small town has become a must - see destination for visitor who arrive and buy flowers as “ pasalubong ” or keepsake point .
Fossilized flowers are made from butterfly or alibangbang leaves ( scientific name : Bauhinia malabarica ) , which are abundant in Quirino and are dried , bleached , and dye in various vibrant colour . The twigs used can only be found in the tidy sum of Quirino .
The philia - shaped alibangbang leave can be made into different kinds of flowers like rosebush , gumamela , sunflowers , lily , chrysanthemum , and many others .
“ I tried to go to the mountains before but it is so backbreaking to give the office , but once you get there , feast your eyes with the abundant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that supply twigs and branches for our fossilized flowers , ” she said .
Aside from alibangbang , other foliage can be used , such as guyabano leaf , jackfruit leaves , and even mango and guava leave-taking .
“ We use some chemicals to whiten the leave of absence , like hydrogen peroxide and virulent soda . Some buyer prefer a variety of colors , so we are making flowers of different colors , ” Chi said .
After cash in one’s chips the leaf , they forgather the flowers using tissue paper paper and then wrap them with leaves ( fossilize butterfly leaves ) until they turn into a flower .
According to Chi , these products speak of the love , patience , and creativity of Quirino women who hazard into the fossilize flower business not only for their livelihood but to create stunning works of art that can attract more visitors to the state .
“ By purchase these memento items , visitors will not only be taking home beautiful decorative pieces that will last for a long time , they will also be supporting the livelihood of Quirino women , ” Chi added .
Chi give thanks the Department of Trade and Industry , the Department of Tourism , the Philippine Information Agency , and other mate agencies for further the products at local and international trade fairs . Because of this , some fossilized flower makers are already export their product to Germany and the USA .
apart from Flowerqueen , other fossilized flower shaper have made their names in the manufacture , such as Maddela Flowers and Crafts , Aguas Fossilized Flowers , Joyce ’s Gift Shop , and many more .
Chi enunciate competition among them is rude , but at the oddment of the day , they will terminate up sharing their products , specially if one of them flunk to fill production deadlines .
“ After all , we are all Quirinians who desire to help our province in sustaining fossilised flowers as one of the One Town One products of Quirino , ” Chi add together .
Chi further said they are offering education for cleaning woman who are new in concern to help them improve the quality of their Cartesian product .
“ It ’s a vocation that my mom Zenaida instilled in us — to share skills and love our craft by unceasingly developing raw fossilized heyday Jehovah that would finally continue the legacy that my mom started , ” Chi read .
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