MANILA, Philippines -- With Valentine's Day just around the corner, prices of flowers have expectedly gone up.

Flower vendors in Dangwa in Manila admitted that prices usually go up just before Valentine's Day.

For instance, Ecuadorian roses now fetch P450 per stem from only P300 -- or a 50% price increase in just one day.

But despite the expensive prices, they said demand remains strong.

At present, champagne and pomelo roses sell for P250 to P300 per dozen from only P200. A dozen of Malaysian mums now fetch P120 from P100, while prices for a dozen carnations went up 80% to P180 from 100.

Flower bouquets, meanwhile, now sell for at least P500.

Flower vendors said they expect prices to increase further as Valentine's Day nears, as they advised consumers to buy their flowers before February 14. -- Report from Jasmin Romero, ABS-CBN News