Whatever Comes To My Mind

Sari-sari store according to Wikipedia means, an important economic and social location in a Filipino community. It is present in almost all neighborhoods, sometimes even in every street. The word sari-sari is Tagalog for “various kinds”. Most sari-sari stores are privately owned shops and are operated inside the shopkeeper’s house. Commodities are displayed in a large screen-covered or metal barred window in front of the shop. Candies, canned goods and cigarettes are often displayed while cooking oil, salt and sugar are often stored in sacks or cans. A small window is also present where the customer’s requested commodity is given. A cigarette lighter tied to the window can also be found. Benches and sometimes tables are also provided in front of the sari-sari store. A shade is placed above it which is also used to cover the large window when the store closes.

Inside a sari-sari store.

What I love about a sari-sari store is if you need soy sauce or vinegar for P3.00 you can buy some that is always placed in a small ice candy wrapper or ice wrapper. I also liked buying some goodies for P1.00 each. Sometimes I couldn’t help but think of it when I ran out of something here in the house. I don’t have any choice but to drive to the store and get the entire bottle. Back home if you have some change you can always buy some. It is also a place to meet up with other neighbors and some make the sari-sari store a place to talk about other people’s lives. Whatever it is that you need, may it be a sanitary napkin, a pack of salt, detergent soap, candy, pencil, a pad of paper, dried fish, razor, needle and more, you’ll find it in a sari-sari store.

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