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| (Image Source: Dugout Philippines/Bookshelf PH) |
The quintessential sari-sari store is an embedded Filipino culture you can’t miss. Every barangay surely has this neighborhood fixture where a variety of goods are sold. Beyond being a go-to store where we buy chichiryas, instant coffees and last-minute ingredients, the sari-sari store serves as an invisible string that ties communities together. It is where community stories, often chismis, are shared. Paying homage to such a heartwarming culture, publishing house Bookshelf PH launches the first edition of its ongoing anthology called “Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition”.
Just like the sari-sari store carries a variety of items, the books in the Sari-Sari Stories series will present various themes in each edition – from romance and family to other Filipino-centered stories and culture. The Romance Edition features a diverse selection of love stories, each one a reflection of the different facets of Filipino romance. From chance encounters and deceitful hearts to enduring love against all odds, the anthology promises something for everyone. Readers will find themselves immersed in narratives that range from sweet and tender to passionate and intense, each one leaving a lasting impression. “We Filipinos love the feeling of kilig. Romance is a genre we naturally gravitate to, and there is no shortage of love letters and stories written by aspiring Filipino authors. Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition proves how each of us has a story to tell and that love can be found in the most mundane or even unexpected moments," says Bookshelf PH Managing Partner Monette Quiogue.
A collection of four stories, the anthology showcases diverse voices and unique perspectives on various themes. Like colorful snacks and drinks from a sari-sari store, you’re in for an unexpected treat to satisfy your kilig cravings. “Love is a universal experience and the diversity of these stories is what makes this collection rich. We have stories about Filipino LGBTs, stories that romanticize modern haranas, and stories of love and dreams amidst ruins and heartbreaks," says Managing Editor Michelle Dulinayan. "Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition" is now available for purchase in print and eBook at Bookshelf PH’s official website. Let’s take a trip to the sari-sari store, and together, discover heartwarming tales and treats for our romantic souls.
