GABALDON SCHOOLS

Heritage schoolhouses built in the Philippines between 1907 and

1946 that follow standard plans designed by Architect William Parsons.

They are named after Assemblyman

Isauro Gabaldon who authored Act 1801. The act, also known as the Gabaldon Act of 1907, appropriated PhP 1 million between 1907 to 1915 for the "construction of schoolhouses of strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than sixtypupils…".

Gabaldon schools are of historic, architectural and socio-political significance to the Philippines.

Public schools were to the American colonial regime what Baroque churches were to the Spanish period. In their time, both were the most imposing structures in all our provinces, cities and towns. As Spain used religion to colonize and Hispanize, the United States of America established the public education system for "pacification" and Americanization.

Approximately 3,000 school buildings of the Gabaldon type were erected all over the

Philippines during the American colonial period (1898-1945).

1. School buildings elevated from the ground by a concrete base.

2. Their whole upper structure is entirely made up of wood and the roofing is out of galvanized iron sheets.

3. High ceiling, spacious corridors and rooms that are divided by wooden collapsible partitions.

4. Wide windows that are made of capiz shells allowing the breeze to come in and out of the room.

This authentic design patterned after the “bahay kubo”, was conceptualized by Architect William E. Parson and is designed for tropical countries. With the comfort that’s manifested in its architectural design, Gabaldons are edifices that are conducive to learning for the schoolchildren.

main distinct features1) single or two storeystructure;

2) elevated ground floor, with flooring made of tongue and groove (T&G) wood planks;

3) largeawning windows with capiz-shelled panels and wooden frames;

4) corrugated iron roof sheathing;

5) symmetrical plan and front elevation;

6) central porch and wide stairs (for single storey building) and withidentical side staircases (for two-storey building);

7) classrooms connected by a corridor;

8) rooms have twoswing-out doors; and,

9) H or U shape plan.

kuguita elementary school, camiguin

baylao elementary school (mambajao), camiguin

capas elementary school

The Capas Gabaldon Elementary School holds the first Public Elementary School ICT Center in the Division of Tarlac Province.

mercedes central school

Bontoc Central School (Mountain Province)

Oas Central School (Albay)

Bicol University College of Education Laboratory School (Legazpi City)

Baguio Central School

Paoay Elementary School (Ilocos Norte)

Misamis Provincial School, (MOGCHS)

Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School

Restoration of MOGCHS Building

Sagay Elementary School, Camiguin

Guinsiliban Central School

Mambajao Central School

Pampanga High School (City of San Fernando)

Upland Elementary School (Carcar), Cebu

Bacong Elementary School, Negros Oriental

North City Elementary School (Dumaguete City), Negros Oriental

Silay North Elementary School

The overall design and orientation allow for maximum ventilation and acoustical requirements ideal for learning spaces in a tropical environment. At the same time, its architectural aesthetic and structural elements like the

calado, exposed beams, awning windows, fascia have designs that range from geometric minimalist to intricate – adding to the whole character of the Gabaldon building as a bastion for learning.

RA 10077With the ratification of the National Heritage Act of 2009 or RA 10077,

Gabaldon schools, being structures dating at least fifty (50) years old, are considered “Important Cultural Properties” (unless declared otherwise by the National Historical Institute, now National Historical Commission of the Philippines). An“Important Cultural Property”, as defined in RA 10077, refer to a cultural property having exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines, and which shall be given, among others,priority government funding for its protection, conservation and/or restoration.

conservation of gabaldon schoolsGabaldon schools, may be among the more underrated Philippine heritage

structures, but they are the most unremitting, the most constant and incessant in meeting the demands of their original use and purpose, not only in their functionality but with their aesthetic faculties as well.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Memo 164 Series of 2009 “Constituting a Task Force on the Conservation of Heritage School Buildings”, in recognizing the significance of the Gabaldon schools, mandates the strengthening of its School Building Restoration Program with the creation of a task force to identify and restore the heritage school houses of the regions.

The Section 32 of the National Heritage Act of 2009 also iterates the role of DepEd, working closely with the National Commission on Culture and Arts, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and otherappropriate institutions in “the conservation and restoration of its built heritage such as the significant Gabaldon School buildings”.