In Tacloban, a debutante chooses books over grand party

A student browses through a book at the library of San Jose Elementary School in Tacloban City, which received a donation of books from Amber Yaokasin. —JOEY GABIETA

TACLOBAN CITY—Amber Yaokasin’s family could very well afford to celebrate her debut in a hotel ballroom with scores of guests feasting on a banquet laid out on tables with fine linen and china.

But on Oct. 2, the day Amber turned 18 years old, the young woman was at San Jose Elementary School (SJES) here donating books to the school where 120 children, who had sought shelter with their families, died when Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan)  all but flattened the city on Nov. 8, 2013.

SJES not only became a watery tomb for the 120 children who died there at the height of Yolanda, which carried winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour.

The school also lost classrooms, facilities and, most important of all, books.

SJES, which has more than 3,000 students, is just one of many schools here that were either destroyed or severely damaged by Yolanda.

It was a perfect venue for what Amber had in mind—make her 18th birthday more meaningful.

“I was thinking that if I would celebrate my birthday by holding a party, it would just be a one-day event and we would spend so much,” she said.

“But if I would donate a library with books in it, its effect would be long-term because it would be enjoyed by pupils not only this school year but in the years to come,” she said.

Students, who witnessed Amber make the donation, are all praises for the young donor.

“I don’t know her but I would like to express my gratitude for the library and books,” said Mary Grace Aparin, 9, Grade 4 student.

“This will inspire us to study more,” said Aparin.

Imelda Gayas, SJES principal, also expressed appreciation, saying the school now has a “real library.”

It is uncertain whether the donation would cost as much as a grand celebration for Amber’s debut, which is considered to be a major event in a girl’s life.

But Amber’s family could easily afford a glitzy party for Amber. She is daughter of businessman Jimmy Yaokasin, who once served as administrator of the city government. Her uncle, Jerry, is currently vice mayor.

Amber’s family owns several gasoline stations and a poultry farm. They are the sole distributor of a best-selling car brand in the entire province of Leyte.

Amber is not new to celebrations for a cause. On Oct. 2, 2013, about a month before Yolanda struck the city, she celebrated her 15th birthday in a party with children of Barangay 88, a village that was one of the hardest hit when the monster storm swept the city.

During that party, Amber shared food with the children, mostly of poor families.

For her debut, Amber said she donated at least 10,000 books that she started collecting since August. This included a set of encyclopedia.

She admitted that she had to ask help from friends, through the social networking site Facebook and photo sharing site Instagram, to fill the library of SJES.

“I was overwhelmed by the response from friends, relatives and even strangers,” she said.

After the donation, Amber made only one wish—that students of SJES “take good care of the books.”

“This is for you,” Amber told a group of students in low-key ceremonies during the donation.