A little of everything.
In Filipino, sari-sari means “assorted”. It is the neighborhood store built into the front of a home, with the whole shelf only a window away.
Bohol, Central Visayas, Philippines
The window
is open.
Ghie Sari Sari Store, a neighborhood store run by Judith Guirigay. A little of everything, one small window at a time.
GHIESARI-SARI STORE
What it means
Sari-sari
adj. · assorted, a little of everything
Just what today needs.
Tingi is the art of buying small: one sachet of coffee, one pack of noodles, only what the day calls for. No stocking up, no wasted trip.
Someone who knows your name.
A suki is more than a customer. It is the neighbor you greet by name, and the shopkeeper who greets you back. Ghie Sari Sari Store belongs to that tradition.
The shelf
What a sari-sari
shelf usually holds.
- SachetsCoffee, shampoo, seasoning. Small packs for a single use.
- Noodles & cansDinner in a few minutes, straight off the shelf.
- Snacks & candyThe small treats every kid walks up for.
- DrinksCold sodas, juices and bottled water.
- Bread & eggsThe morning basics, bought by the piece.
- HouseholdSoap, detergent, candles, matches.
- Prepaid loadA top-up for the phone, right at the window.
- Odds & endsThe one thing you forgot to buy.
Ask Judith what’s on the shelf today.
The ritual
Three small steps.
- 1
Walk up.
No door, no aisle. The window is the whole shop.
- 2
Say what you need.
A word, a pointing finger, a name you both know.
- 3
Take just enough.
One sachet, one egg, one pack. That is tingi.
Salamat, suki!Behind the window
Meet Judith.
Judith Guirigay runs Ghie Sari Sari Store in Bohol, Central Visayas. Like every sari-sari owner, she is the first face a neighbor sees at the window, and the last one they wave to on the way home.
- Role
- Small Business Owner
- Store
- Ghie Sari Sari Store
- Place
- Bohol, Central Visayas, Philippines
Home
Bohol,
hills and all.
Ghie Sari Sari Store lives in Bohol, the island province of Central Visayas. The rolling hills behind this page are a small nod to home.
- Chocolate Hills
- Over a thousand domed hills that turn brown in the dry season.
- The tarsier
- One of the world’s smallest primates, and a Bohol icon.
- Loboc River
- Known for its slow, scenic river cruises.
Late afternoon
The window is where the street meets.
After dark
When the street goes quiet, the lamp stays on.
Maayong gabii
The light
stays on.
Drop by Ghie Sari Sari Store in Bohol, or send Judith a message. Salamat for stopping by.