The Great Chain

“The world needs strong women—women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved, women who live bravely, both tender and fierce, women of indomitable will.”

—Amy Tenney

AA woman goes through stages in her life. At first, as a maiden, resembling the Greek korai, until she meets her muliebrity. Thereafter, she becomes the elderly matron. Each stage is worth its weight in gold. Without a beginning, there is no end. Without the past, there is no future. And so, what is more, beautiful a blessing than the cycle of mother and daughter?

Mothers, daughters, women—we are like solid and resilient links of a chain. Add a link, and the chain becomes more fructuous. Take away a link; it becomes weaker. Yet, every link bears a legacy, and each heir bequeaths the gifts of heritage. Together, life happens, and we receive our gifts—in my case, it is Bravo Filipino.

It began with my grandmother, Elizabeth Victoria. Deeply motivated by her vision to showcase the talents of her countrymen, she established Bravo Filipino Publishing in 2011. Bravo Filipino Magazine was launched, and for over a decade, it flourished, with Elizabeth being its front and center. With a penchant for writing and critical thinking, her daughter, Geraldine Cruz Piazza, supported her by working behind the scenes, taking on the role of editor-in-chief. And as the saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I, Geraldine’s daughter, share this love for the written arts. Everyone is unique, born of a different generation. Yet, we share one common goal—to support each other’s talents, dreams, and ambitions. Therefore this book came to be.

Every one of us is essential in our own way, contributing to the wealth of the chain—making it more robust, more durable, and more fruitful in the long run. If we didn’t work together, it wouldn’t be the same. “By using our individualities and understanding each other, we succeed,” my grandmother stated, “and together, everyone achieves more. The important thing is that we try hard and bring out the best in each other because by doing that, we have the best result. We can each instill the values of a woman’s life into our work.”

Three years have passed since the 2020 pandemic paused the magazine’s publication. Still, it didn’t mean my grandmother stopped working. While at home, she continued to dream and lay the groundwork for her next project, this book.

When my family approached me to write this book, they did so knowing my love for writing. It was with hope and generosity that they wanted me to succeed and help me on that journey. They wanted to be the ones that would help me along the way while working together.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight. It happens without you realizing it when you continuously give your best effort in every endeavor, live your life to the fullest, and be your best self,” my mother always said. “You must be kind and good to others, but more importantly to yourself. Only then can you truly be satisfied with your success.”

My mother is the link between my grandmother and me. She brought us closer together so that we could understand each other despite our differences while simultaneously contributing to our individualities. A woman’s life cycle is like the Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone—the valiant girl, the sagacious woman, and the wise, knowing elder. Each stage is worth our weight in gold. We work together as a family. Love of family keeps us bonded despite our differences and individualities. We need to remember what started the chain, and it’s just as crucial for us to keep it going.

Think about how far it has come; think of the women of the past! Something new is born every decade and a woman gains more opportunities every century. It is with her own wit and her own mind that she fights for what is rightfully hers. What began as nothing slowly starts to metamorphosize, and then there comes a beautiful butterfly of a story. We are all a part of this legacy—we are part of the great chain.

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A Champion to the Filipino Farmers

IIt felt like being in the dreams of Frank Gehry. The cloud white, geometric, and ultra-modern structure was the perfect example of a home with a state-of-the-art design. Welcoming the guests in this immaculately spotless space was Evelyn “Belen” Gamboa — and I instantly worried about my shoes. The possibility of soiling the milky floor would be downright brusque. However, my thoughts were disrupted by the realization that Belen had graciously ushered the rest of the party inside, still clad in the same footwear. I concluded that my unquiet was unnecessary with such a host.

Despite her mettlesome work ethic and an unwavering urge to succeed as a businesswoman, Belen is very affable. She is sweet with a kindly bearing and a good sense of humor, one who rolls out a red carpet for whoever she meets. So as I sat down to interview her, I was gregariously treated with a sapid cup of coffee and a golden spoon to stir it with, no less. Everything about my host conjured the words of Audrey Hepburn: “I believe, every day, you should at least have one exquisite moment.” And that moment for me was with Belen.

As I discussed her altruistic tendencies, Belen smiled and gave me a simple reason: “I love people — it’s a Filipino trait.” She is considerate, and it shows through her words and actions. “I want everyone to be happy. So I will move mountains to keep my loved ones safe and happy even if I’m exhausted from all my responsibilities.”

Concern and being of help to others are paramount to Belen. These values are crucial in her work, mainly involving Filipino farmers. As Tom Barrett said: “If the rain spoils our picnic but saves a farmer’s crop, who are we to say it shouldn’t rain?”

The agriculturist is indispensable. Farmers nourish whole continents so that people may thrive — yet do we think of farmhands the way we ought to? They wake at the crack of dawn and toil in the fields, working hard with the sun on their necks, bartering with the very earth to yield the most fruitful harvest. Farmers should be championed for all they do — and that is precisely what Belen Gamboa does.

Belen’s career began in something other than agriculture, but she eventually fell into it. “I started from the rank when I was working for a company that dealt with fertilizer and agricultural supplies, wherein my marketing skills were enhanced and got promoted until I reached a managerial position because of my ability, positive attitude, and performance,” Belen explained. “I like this line of work, and so I decided to set up my own business instead of working for somebody. But it wasn’t easy. It’s like I was thrown in the middle of the sea on my own. Either I swim or drown. I had to work really hard to establish contacts and gain the trust of my clients.”

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Her business mainly supplies farm machinery, equipment, and livestock to farmers. With technology being fast-paced, Belen said that she serves the farmers by keeping them updated. Having established a meaningful business, Belen is content. She helps the farmers with their daily operations saving money, time, and energy from cultivation, fertilizer, and pesticide application to harvesting. “The farmers, agriculture, and food production are essential so that we will not depend on imported products. So we must give farmers more support because they are the heart and soul of the nation.”

When asked what keeps her going in her chosen career, she replied, “Prayers and determination and the challenge. I thrive on a challenge.” For Belen, the challenge, thrill, and results of her actions keep her alive in the field. In addition, Belen is an individualist — she knows how to work alone. “No one is to blame for its success or failure but me.”

“[The industry] was very male-dominated, and I did go through a lot to penetrate the industry. You have to be tough and hardworking.” Despite the obstacles that befell her, Belen was not swayed by the patriarchy of her work. She was never worried about who she was. “It isn’t a hindrance to be a woman,” Belen said without elaboration. As a strong and independent woman, she never feared what would happen. Her primary goal is to help the farmhands. “I want to give them a chance to make a living and be productive. This helps the Philippines.”

Belen’s love for supporting the Filipinos keeps her happy. She works hard to contribute to her own community. It resulted in Belen, a self-titled “newbie” to her neighborhood, being elected president in a landslide. She believes in honesty, for she is true to herself and others. She expects no less from her friends and family. “I don’t sugarcoat my words because I would rather be brutally honest than be fake.”

Known for her generosity, she cautions that she knows when someone is taking advantage of her. “I have the biggest heart in the world, but if my kindness is abused, once my trust is broken, there will no longer be a space for you,” said Belen. For Belen, kindness towards others is the propeller in life and career. With a heart of gold, Belen takes it upon herself to support her country and fellow citizens. She is summed up in yet another brilliant quote by Miss Hepburn: “Giving is living. If you stop wanting to give, there’s nothing more to live for.”