Ronny Boy R.

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History 130

March 17, 2015

ABSS4
History of Gabaldon Elementary School,
Gabaldon, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija

Education plays such a rudimentary role on our society that we cannot even imagine a
life without it. It is a determined element for the civilization of human society. Not only does it
helps us develop healthy surroundings but it also generates an advance community. Since the
establishment of Gabaldon Elementary School in Gabaldon Munoz Nueva Ecija, most of the
residents there get better opportunities in life. It is easier for those who graduated in the
elementary to become successful and realize their dreams as compared to those who are
uneducated before the establishment of Gabaldon Elementary School.
In the beginning, Gabaldon was a vast sprawling area of virgin forests. These forests
extend to as far as Pandalla and Calisitan to the west and Rang-ayan towards the north. During
those days, Gabaldon had been declared by the government as homestead area. Desirous to own
lands, some pioneering individuals applied for homesteads and eventually their applications were
approved. These pioneers to name a few were Cayetano Balic, Leonardo Gambico, Clemente
Callos and Leonardo Capitulo. Nothing had been written about their exploits as not one of them
knew how to read and write. As these people came to settle in the place, they decided to give it a
name. Bulilar was the name of their choice. So, Gabaldon was originally called Buliran.
Scope and Limitation
This study will confine itself to interview of key informant, Principal of Gabaldon
Elementary School who has enough knowledge about the history of Gabaldon Elementary

School. Review of documents of the history of Gabaldon Elementary School will also use to
gather other information.
Review of the Related Literature
As Orejas (2014) posted, the Gabaldon-type school building was named after Nueva
Ecija assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon, who authored Act No. 1801 through which the Philippine
Assembly set aside P1 million between 1907 and 1915 for the construction of schoolhouses of
strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than 60 pupils. These are
single or two-story structure, have elevated ground floors with flooring made of wood planks,
large awning windows with capiz panels and wooden frames, and corrugated iron roofs.
According to kissingyou0912 (2012), the importance of education is undeniable for every
single person. Only with the advent of education can people gain knowledge and enlarge their
view over the world. People may become more useful and civilized if better educated. In areas
where residents are not able to receive an appropriate education, life cannot be as thriving and
prosperous as location where there is a high standard of education.
Pabilona (2013) uploaded that the study of history of education helps teachers in training
to appreciate the various aspects of their past educational process so as to link them to the
present. It enables teachers in training to know what type of education we had and the purpose it
served in the past. It gives teachers in training the opportunity of knowing our past mistakes in
our education with the view to making necessary amends.
Focus of the Study

The researcher aims to know the history of Gabaldon Elementary School, Gabaldon
Science City of Munoz Nueva Ecija. This study focus on the political, economical, social, and
cultural impacts of elementary school in Barangay Gabaldon
Significance of the Study
The researcher believes that this study will help every individual or group to appreciate
the history of elementary education in the Philippines.
To the Teachers:
History of education gives teachers in training the opportunity of studying other peoples
educational ideas and programs with the aim of developing ours. It also gives teachers in training
a solid foundation to plan for our present and future educational development. History of
education guides teachers in training to proffer some positive solution to our present day
educational problems. It helps teachers in training to understand some major trends and
developments in our educational system. It helps teachers in training to formulate and implement
better philosophies of education.
To the Students/Youth:
The youth are the hope of our motherland. This study will help them realize that they
must be aware with the history of education in this country and what are the impacts of it to the
whole society. It will also serves as an eye opener for the youth to appreciate the importance of
education.

To the Researchers:
The history of Elementary Schools in the Science City of Munoz is a very interesting
topic to explore. This study may use by the next researchers as their guide or source of related
literature for their research that has something to do with this topic.
Methodology
Research Design
The researcher will use descriptive design through personal interview. Data will be
gathered from the answers of the respondent in the questions prepared by the researcher.
Research Locale
Barangay Gabaldon is located in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is 6
kilometers away from the town proper of Munoz Nueva Ecija.
Sampling Procedure
The researcher will use a purposive sampling in choosing the respondents. The total
population of Gabaldon, Science City of Munoz is 1,619. The researcher will choose only three
(3) respondents who have enough knowledge about the history of Gabaldon Elementary School.
The respondents will be the principal of Gabaldon Elementary School; and two (2) Barangay
Councilors of Gabaldon if available.
Instrumentation
The researcher will prepare a guide questions to ask for the interview. The questions are
related on the outline of the study.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher asked permission from the Barangay officers of Gabaldon, Science City of
Munoz to conduct a research about the history of Gabaldon Elementary School. In this study, the
researcher asked for an appointment from the respondents. The data will be gathered on the
schedule of interview.
Operational Definition of Terms
Appointment arrangement for meeting or consultation.
Education development of character or mental powers.
Elementary dealing with the simpliest facts of a subject.
Gabaldon-type school building These are single or two-story structure, have elevated ground
floors with flooring made of wood planks, large awning windows with capiz panels and wooden
frames, and corrugated iron roofs.
History systematic study of past through written records and documents that takes place
investigate to search the truth.
Informants someone who is well versed in the social phenomenon that you wish to study and
who is willing to tell you what he or she knows about it.
Interview a data-collection encounter in which one person asks questions to another.
Knowledge understanding of a subject or sum of what is known.

Purposive sampling the units to be observed are selected on the basis of the researchers
judgment about which ones will be the most useful or representative.
Training according to Lasala (1978), is a discipline, or regimen, which causes people to acquire
new, predetermined behaviors. Training includes activities, which are designed to improve
human performance or tasks.
Results and Discussion
In 1937, Enrico Paraguison was unanimously selected as the barrio lieutenant for Buliran
(original name of Gabaldon). He served for two terms. His first concern was the establishment of
a school in the barrio. Upon his assumption to office, he decided to look for a school site upon
which would raise the first school in the place. Sensing the problem of the barrio head, Leonardo
Gambito offered half of hectare for the school site. The supervising teacher did not approve this.
The barrio lieutenant approached Rafael Sandoval, the owner of the widest parcel of land in
Buliran. He requested for a piece of land for the needed school site. Rafael Sandoval willingly
donated one hectare of his land to be the school site. The barrio lieutenant immediately decided
to build a school house. The materials were not enough so he and his friends approached
Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon for assistance. When Assemblyman Gabaldon was campaigning
for the position of Representative for Nueva Ecija, the people of Buliran change the name of
barrio to Gabaldon in his honor, thinking that this man would be of great help to the barrio folks.
Unfortunately, the expectations of the people were all in vain. So frustrated the barrio lieutenant
was, he decided to solicit donations in kinds from the civic-spirited citizens of Gabaldon to build
such needed school house. The first school house was built. It was made of wood, cogon and
buri.

In June 1939, classes were opened for the first time in Gabaldon. The medium of teaching
was English, Filipino and Ilocano or bernacular. The first subjects were the so-called 3Rs
(Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic). Those children of families from nearby barrios enrolled in
this school. Grades one and two were opened. The Grade two pupils were under Domingo Rivera
who conducted classes in private house. He received one cavan of palay each pupil a year as
compensation.
In April 1953, the first school building made of galvanized iron and wood was erected.
This building was constructed from the cooperative efforts of the people of Gabaldon. Each
family head gave their share from their harvested palay. The barrio lieutenant was able to gather
more than one hundred cavans. Out of these proceeds, the semi-permanent school building was
erected although incomplete. When Jose Corpuz became the representative of District I in Nueva
Ecija, the school was a recipient of two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) from the provincial fund.
This amount was utilized to complete the school building.
In 1958, Enrico Paraguison decided to turnover his responsibility as barrio lieutenant due
to poor health condition. Juan Saludez was the one chosen by the people to assume the post. So
then the aspirations of the barrio people were not in vain. Through their good cooperation, the
town officials were encouraged and helped them for the approval or their request to be one of the
recipients of school building worth thousands of pesos at that time from the provincial
government. After two years, due to illness of the incumbent barrio lieutenant, another transition
happened in 1960 and Jose Manuel made the barrio chairman.
In 1962, the time came to choose a new barrio chairman. The barrio people decided that
no one was so fitted to guide the barrio as Oscar Eslabra and with his intention they elected him.

During his administration from 1962 to 1971, additional school buildings and roads have been
constructed.
During the administration of Marcos, there were six classrooms of Marcos-type building
being erected. Then, another building constructed, the F.V.R. building with three classrooms for
10-15 years existence. Another building was constructed on 2012, the Violago building with two
classrooms and the H.E. building. From DepEd, single detached building were erected, four
offices and a kinder garden. From the 3Ps or the Private-Public Partnership, a two-storey
building with eight classrooms constructed. Another two classrooms are on-going project by
3Ps. The total number of building at present is five usable building. Aside from the one unit with
three Marcos-type classrooms demolished, Gabaldon Elementary School has three Marcos-type
school building, two Violago-type school building, one classroom for kinder garden, Phase 1 of
the 3Ps school building has eight classrooms, one school office, and two classrooms from the
on-going project of Phase 2 of the 3Ps.
The school is accessible to all constituents of the barangay and adjacent barangays that
resulted to the good political status, stability of all constituents of this barangay and the other
barangays.
The school has a good contribution to all residents of the barangay. The graduates from
this school are now serving as professionals. There are engineers, teachers, and other professions
and now these professions are the primary sources of their family income. There are many also
from the graduates of this school who are functional members of our society as skilled workers.
They have technical vocations like automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, some are carpenters

and others are engage in masonry works and farming skills included being the primary source of
the families of this barangay.
Social practices of the barangay folks have improved because most of the residents that
are graduates in this elementary school became good in interaction with society as a result of
being educated persons. They were now graduated from respected secondary schools, colleges,
and universities all over the province.
The school is usually the venue of cultural learning of the barangay. It started from the
schools and their practices restored even when they have their own families.
Summary and Conclusion
The first barrio lieutenant for Buliran (original name of Gabaldon), Enrico Paraguison, decided
to established a school in the barrio. He looked for a school site upon which would raise the first
school in the place. He requested for a piece of land for the needed school site to Rafael
Sandoval, the owner of the widest parcel of land in Buliran. Rafael Sandoval willingly donated
one hectare of his land to be the school site. The first school house was built. It was made of
wood, cogon and buri.
In June 1939, classes were opened for the first time in Gabaldon. The medium of
teaching was English, Filipino and Ilocano or bernacular. The first subjects were the so-called
3Rs (Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic). The first students were the children of Gabaldon, and
the first teacher was Domingo Rivera.
In April 1953, the first school building made of galvanized iron and wood was erected.
When Jose Corpuz became the representative of District I in Nueva Ecija, the school was a

10

recipient of two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) from the provincial fund. This amount was utilized
to complete the school building.
The school is accessible to all constituents of the barangay and adjacent barangays that
resulted to the good political status, stability of all constituents of this barangay and the other
barangays.
The school has a good contribution to all residents of the barangay. The graduates from
this school are now serving as professionals. There are also big evidence that the Gabaldon
Elementary School has a great contribution to the improvement of Gabaldon residents in terms of
social and cultural aspects.
Bibliography
Kissingyou0912. 2012. The Importance of Education (beneficial for society on the
whole). EssayForum.com Disclaimer, Privacy, TOS. Online interactive exhibition,
http://www.essayforum.com/writing-3/importance-education-beneficialSociety-whole-40043/, accessed 8 December 2014.
Lasala, J.N. 1978. The Manpower Training Program in Pili, Camarines Sur. Unpublished
M.S. Thesis, University of the Philippines. College Laguna.
Orejas, Tonette. 2014. Funds sought to save Gabaldon buildings. Philippine Daily
Inquire.29 August 29. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/633638/funds-sought-to-savegabaldon-buildings#ixzz3LHBRcR6T, accessed 8 December 2014.
Pabilona, Lorein May. 2013. The Philippines education (teaching profession). The
History of the Philippines Education. Online Journal,
www.slideshare.net/loreinmay/spanish-period-strategiesof,accessed 8 December 2014.
Dela Cruz, Reynaldo. 2014. Interview by the author, Gabaldon Science City of Munoz,
Nueva Ecija, 5 February.

11

Transcript of Interview
First meeting:
Researcher: Sir, Good afternoon po. Ibabase ko na lang po dito sa outline ko ang mga questions
ko po. Kalian po unang nagkaroon ng Elementary School ang inyong barangay?
Respondent: Hindi ako sigurado kasi medyo nakalimutan ko na. wala kasi sa akin yung
document pero estimate ko lang, 1945. Hindi ako sure. Pagbalik mo na lang itatama natin pag
nakuha ko yung document.
Researcher: Ah sige po. Salamat po. Kilala niyo po ba kung sino o anong ahensiya ang nanguna
sa pagpapatayo ng elementary dito?
Respondent: Hindi ko na matandaan yung iba .Enrico Paraguison, Urbanito Gambido, and
other residents of Barangay Gabaldon that time.
Researcher: Ano po ang type of building ng unang elementary dito?
Respondent: Nung una, improvised building lang, made of buri and cogon. It was lasted for five
years.
Researcher: Ilan po yung unang mga classrooms?
Respondent: Ah. dalawa lang noon.
Researcher: Sino-sino po amg mga unang teachers?

12

Respondent: Hindi ko na maalala ang mga pangalan pero they were all came from Munoz. They
were teachers from Munoz.
Researcher: Sino-sino naman po ang mga unang estudyante?
Respondent: Mga bata lang ng Gabaldon.
Researcher: Ano po ang medium of teaching that time?
Respondent: Filipino. May English din because fresh pa noon yung impact ng American regime
sa bansa. Ginagamit din yung tinatawag na bernacular kaya mayron ding Ilocano.
Researcher: Ano po yung mga unang subjects na itinuturo noon?
Respondent: Yung tinatawag nila noon na 3Rs. Reading, wRiting, at hindi ko sure yung isa pero
parang aRithmetic yata.
Researcher: Papaano po yung schedule noon ng pasukan?
Respondent: Ah, gaya din ngayon. Usually start of classes ay 7 or 7:30am to 11:30am. Tapos sa
hapon naman ay 1:30pm to 5pm. Monday to Friday din.
Researcher: Ano-ano po ang mga pagbabagong naganap sa elementary ng inyong barangay?
Simula po sa type of building?
Respondent: Yung elementary kasi dito, sabihin na natin na tumatagal ng 5 years each every
improvements. With the help of representative of Nueva Ecija that time, Isauro Gabaldon,
nagkaroon ng improvement ang elementary, the elementary had its G.I. sheets roofing and wood
walls, and later on, hallow blocks and concrete walling.

13

Researcher: Nadagdagan po ba ang mga classrooms?

Respondent: Oo. Nadagdagan ng tatlo apat hanggang sa naging concrete lahat ang
classrooms. By 1950, it became a complete elementary.
Researcher: Sino-sino na po ang mga teachers noon?
Respondent: Mga teachers pa rin from Munoz.
Researcher: Sino-sino na po ang mga estudyante that time?
Respondent: That time, may mga nag-aaral na din dito mula sa Rang-ayan, Calisitan, Pandalla,
and Calabalabaan.
Researcher: May pagbabago po ba sa medium ng pagtuturo?
Respondent: Ah wala. Ganun pa rin. May English, Filipino, at Ilocano.
Researcher: Eh, dun po sa schedule ng classes?
Respondent: Ganun pa rin. Walang nagbago. Yung usual na schedule lang ng mga schools.
Researcher: Ano-ano pa po ang mga pagbabago sa elementary mula noong naitatag ito?
Respondent: During the administration of Marcos, there were six classrooms of Marcos-type
building being erected. Then, another building constructed, the F.V.R. building with three
classrooms for 10-15 years existence. Another building was constructed on 2012, the Violago
building with two classrooms and the H.E. building. From DepEd, single detached building were
erected, four offices and a kinder garden. From the 3Ps or the Private-Public Partnership (hindi
ako sure sa meaning), a two-storey building with eight classrooms constructed. Another two

14

classrooms are on-going project by 3Ps. The total number of building at present is five usable
building. Aside from the one unit with three Marcos-type classrooms demolished, Gabaldon
Elementary School has three Marcos-type classrooms, two Violago-type classrooms, one
classroom for kinder garden, Phase 1 of the 3Ps school building has eight classrooms, one
school office, and two classrooms from the on-going project of Phase 2 of the 3Ps.
Researcher: Ano-ano po ang mga naging impact ng inyong elementary sa inyong barangay
tungkol sa political aspect?
Respondent: The school is accessible to all constituents of the barangay and adjacent barangays
that resulted to the good political status, stability of all constituents of this barangay and the
other barangays.
Researcher: Ano-ano po ang naidulot ng elementary sa ekonomiya ng barangay ninyo?
Respondent: The school has a good contribution to all residents of the barangay. The graduates
from this school are now serving as professionals. There are engineers, teachers, and other
professions and now these professions are the primary sources of their family income. There are
many also from the graduates of this school who are functional members of our society as skilled
workers. They have technical vocations like automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, some are
carpenters and others are engage in masonry works and farming skills included being the
primary source of the families of this barangay.
Researcher: Ano naman po ang impact nito sa social aspect ng barangay?
Respondent: Social practices of the barangay folks have improved because most of the residents
that are graduates in this elementary school became good in interaction with society as a result

15

of being educated persons. They were now graduated from respected secondary schools,
colleges, and universities all over the province.
Researcher: Ano naman po ang impact ng inyong elementary sa kultura ng barangay?
Respondent: The school is usually the venue of cultural learning of the barangay. It started from
the schools and their practices restored even when they have their own families.
Researcher: Sir, maraming salamat po sa mga data. Maaari po ba akong bumalik kapag naibalik
sa amin ng professor namin itong first draft para po sa karagdagang impormasyon?
Respondent: Oo. Bumalik ka para maiayos pa natin ang mga datos na ibinigay ko. Hahanapin
ko yung document para may basehan tayo. May ibang kopya ka pa ba nitong outline mo?
Researcher: Opo meron pa po akong soft copy.
Respondent: Pwede bang iwanan mo na lang sa akin ito para mapag-aralan ko rin mabuti?
Researcher: Ay, opo. Pwede po. Baka po Friday next week ako babalik kung maibalik na po ang
first draft po namin. Pwede po ba ulit kayo makapanayam sa araw na yun?
Respondent: Sige. Pakisulat na rin dito yung contact number mo para mainform kita kapag
nahanap ko na yung document. Pasensya ka na kasi medyo nakalimutan ko yung ibang detalye.
Researcher: Ako po ang dapat humingi ng paumanhin sa abala. Salamat po ulit, sir.
Respondent: Walang anuman. Basta bumalik ka na lang pag makuha mo na ang first draft mo.
Researcher: Sige po. Salamat po ulit. Magpapaalam na po muna ako.
Respondent: Ok. Sige ingat.

16

Second meeting:
Researcher: Sir, magandang araw po ulit. Narito na naman po ako para sa muling
pakikipanayam tungkol sa history ng Gabaldon Elementary School.
Respondent: Ah, ikaw pala. Halika. Tuloy ka. Kaya lang pasensya ka na kasi may pupuntahan
akong meeting. Pero gaya ng sinabi ko noon itatama natin yung mga unang salaysay ko na
estimated ko lang. Puwede bang bigyan na lang kita ng kopya ng document at ikaw na lang ang
mag-ayos nung mga detalye? May pupuntahan kasi ako ngayon.
Researcher: Sige po. Salamat po kung ganun at bibigyan niyo ako ng kopya.
Respondent: Eto yung kopya. Pasensya ka na ulit pate ha? Biglaan kasi yung meeting.
Researcher: Sige po salamat po ulit. Magpapaalam na po ako.
Respondent: ok pate, good luck sayo. Ingat ka.
Researcher: Salamat po.