Walk down any street in the Philippines, and you will see a small window with packets of shampoo, candies, and canned goods hanging from the grill. This is the **Sari-Sari Store**.

The "Tingi" Culture

The genius of the sari-sari store is "tingi"—buying in small quantities. Need just one cigarette? Half a liter of cooking oil? A single sachet of coffee? They have it. It makes life affordable for the masses.

The Neighborhood Hub

It's also the community news center. Neighbors gather here to gossip ("chismis"), drink a soda, and rest. Knowing your local store owner is the first step to becoming part of the community.