Gemma Derpo Dalayoan

"gemma" THE BUD Gemma Derpo Dalayoan

The poetry book, "gemma" The Bud is replete with a gamut of emotions experienced by the author from childhood to adulthood. Being an illegitimate daughter of a Catholic priest, she was bullied while growing up in a predominantly small Catholic town in the Philippines. Such bullying has impacted her that she thought she was not worthy even to adulthood. Afraid of being embarrassed and judged, she hid her identity telling a lie as to who her father was. To compensate for her lack of self- worth, she excelled in her academic efforts and service for community service. At the age of 77, she finally found her own true self when she read:

Ephesians 1.4 - He knew that you would come along no matter what the circumstances of your conception and birth. God was not surprised. He knew about you and prepared an amazing plan for your life".

She became a Gemma.