In almost every corner of your local community, it’s impossible not to find a sari-sari store. A sari-sari store is what instantly comes to mind whenever we suddenly need something, offering unmatched ease and convenience by being nearby.
Ease and convenience are also at the heart of these stories. They provide the comfort of knowing we are not alone in our experiences and the accessibility of finding these tales in a series—Sari-Sari Stories—a collection that creates spaces for Filipinos to share the moments life has brought them.
The Family Edition, launched on December 13, 2024, at the Book Nook on Level 3 of SM Aura, is the second installment of Sari-Sari Stories. It comprises eight heartfelt short tales exploring the many ways we define love within a family. These stories revolve around themes of love, longing, grief, and forgiveness, while also emphasizing acceptance and growth.
As we listen to the writers share their experiences and delve into their inspirations, we’ll also smile at the sight of their loved ones holding flower bouquets and eagerly capturing the moments in photos and videos.
Love manifests in countless ways, and within a family, it is expressed through various acts embodying the different love languages. A family is a juxtaposition of life’s challenges and joys; it changes us in subtle ways, from a simple gesture like saying, “I support and accept you,” to grand acts of putting them above everything else.
“Love in the family is the acceptance and support.” – Lalang Andres, Bagahe
Family, as they say, is the root of our being. It’s where our dreams and values are first shaped and where our vulnerabilities and weaknesses are revealed. This is why we go to such lengths to keep it close.
Edrian Nabong, author of Come Rain, Come Shine, reflects, “Love in the family is what calms our heart.” It’s what we long for—familial love. As Syma Baltazar, author of Loose Ends, notes, “Change happens, but what remains is the openness and care.” Our definition of family is uniquely ours to hold.
Throughout life’s seasons, this edition of Sari-Sari Stories teaches us to redefine the odds. What may seem like a lost cause or an insurmountable challenge can be transformed through love—through family.
Bookshelf PH invites you to reflect: How about you? How do you hold on to family? And how do you define it? This series honors not just the milestone of an individual, but that of an entire family.
Grab a copy of Sari-Sari Stories: Family Edition and extend your support to our Filipino writers by visiting Bookshelf PH’s website.