Documenting the Gabaldon Schools of Bohol

Concept Paper
Proponent : Asia Center for Sustainable Futures, Inc.
Principal Investigator : Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, UAP
Mobile Number : (+63) 917 724 2502
Email Address : lizamacalandag@gmail.com

The Gabaldon Legacy

Gabaldon-type school buildings , also known as Gabaldon schools, refer to 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 sixty
pupils". (Araneta, 2006)

Gabaldon-type school buildings were built all over the country during the American Colonial Period,
extending after the period prescribed by the act. Their main distinct features are: 1) single or two storey
structure; 2) elevated ground floor, with flooring made of tongue and groove (T&G) wood planks; 3) large
awning 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 with
identical side staircases (for two-storey building); 7) classrooms connected by a corridor; 8) rooms have two
swing-out doors; and, 9) H or U shape plan. (National Historical Commission of the Philippines, 2011)

With 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.

Gabaldon Schools as bastions of Philippine education

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. (Araneta, 2006)

1|P a g e
It is in the Gabaldon schools where the foundation of the Philippine public school system, which gave every
Filipino child the chance to acquire a formal education, was laid down.

Gabaldons schools, though designed by American Architect William Parsons (a consulting architect of the
Bureau of Public Works from 1905-1914, more known for his works on the Manila Hotel, Philippine General
Hospital, and The Mansion House in Baguio City), form an important part of Philippine architecture.

The standard design for the Gabaldon schools, particularly, the one-story buildings, has an H or U plan, with
classrooms along one side of an open gallery, lifted off the ground. Gabled nipa roofs (originally, but have
since been replaced with G.I. roofing) and the large swing-out windows with capiz panels recalls the bahay
kubo. (Villalon, 2010)

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.

The Gabaldon schoolhouse is not only a living canvas of the evolution of the Philippine educational system
but a study on the creativity and the craftmanship of Filipinos that, to this day, still runs through our veins.

Conservation of Gabaldon Schools

Gabaldon 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 other
appropriate institutions in the conservation and restoration of its built heritage such as the significant
Gabaldon School buildings.

In fact, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is rearing for the full implementation of the
conservation of heritage school building and is in the process of completing and disseminating the
Gabaldon Restoration Guidelines.

Education on the importance of Gabaldon schools is particularly urgent, as reports of demolition and/or
plans of demolition of Gabaldon schools across the Philippines are increasing by the year.

Documenting the Gabaldon Schools of Bohol

Bohol has an estimable number of Gabaldon schools. These schoolhouses stand in prominence within
usually well-appointed campuses, mostly located within or near the poblacion or town centers, forming an
important part of the municipalitys civic pride.

2|P a g e
Upon initial investigation on the American-era school buildings around the province, unique details have
been observed in the Gabaldon schools built in Bohol. In fact, there is reason to infer that, despite being
built from a similar prototype, no two Gabaldon schools all over the country are built exactly alike. Each
locality customized according to the specific requirements of their locale, as well as injecting details and
ornamentation that define local cultures and traditions.

Additionally, major alterations on the Gabaldon school buildings in the province have been observed. Some
school buildings that may have been Gabaldon-types have been demolished without ruckus or concern
from the community, with reports of demolition as recent as the last five years (i.e. a structure in
Tagbilaran City East Elementary School).

This architectural research and documentation, anchoring upon the importance of cultural heritage
preservation, aims to:

1. Identify, explore, map and document the Gabaldon schools of Bohol

2. Educate and raise awareness on the socio-cultural, historical and architectural significance of
Gabaldon schools
3. Promote the conservation of Gabaldon schools
4. Promote the adoption of the most effective architectural features and construction techniques of
the Gabaldon-type schools in designing and constructing new learning spaces

Architectural documentation is the first most important step in the heritage conservation process and
serves to elevate and actualize the architectural and socio-cultural significance of a heritage structure.

Following a systematic approach, architectural documentation encompasses the inspection and

introspection of the evolution of the physical context of the structure, and extends into the examination of
its meaning and significance in the socio-cultural fabric it served then and is serving now.

Activities will include:

1. Identification and tagging of Gabaldon schools in Bohol
2. Conduct of key informant interviews and gather historical/ written data on the Gabaldon schools
3. Evaluating of the forms, systems, components and construction details of the Gabaldon school
buildings
4. Documenting of the architecture and structural particulars of the Gabaldon schools
5. Re-establish the anatomy the Gabaldon schoolhouses through sketches and diagrams and
photographs

The documentation also includes investigations of building use, social functions, cultural context and
practical issues of conservation and rehabilitation.

It is empirical, henceforth, that this study, after the above activities, will include the formulation of
recommendations on preserving the Gabaldon schools as well as present architectural solutions that
will sustain the school buildings to adapt to current use and emerging climatic and technological
needs without compromising their architectural integrity.

3|P a g e
The documentation of Bohol Gabaldon schools will be divided into five (5) sub-groups:

1. Tagbilaran City, Dauis and Panglao

2. Northwestern Bohol towns from Maribojoc to Inabanga
3. Southwestern Bohol towns from Baclayon to Garcia-Hernandez
4. Interior Bohol towns
5. The rest of Bohol

It is hoped that with these initial steps of documenting the Gabaldon schoolhouses of Bohol, the meaning
and value of said structures not only as learning spaces, its rich social and historical significance to
Boholanos, but also as important architectural landmarks that are testament to the Filipino and Bol-anon
craftsmanship.

Re-establishing the importance of designed and built learning environments, in general, and the Gabaldon
schools, in particular will also reinforce the discourse on the value of education for all.

The Proponents
Asia Center for Sustainable Futures, Inc. (ACSF) is a non-stock, non-profit alternative research and
advocacy center, established in 2010 with the vision of advancing the interest of the people through
participation and creative collaboration in research and advocacy towards sustainable futures. ACSF is
based in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, UAP is an architect advocating for social, cultural and ecological
consciousness in the designed environment professions. A writer and development communications
practitioner, she is the Communications and Advocacy Officer of ACSF. In June 2011, she became an adjunct
lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, College of Engineering Architecture at the
Bohol Island State University Main Campus in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

References:
Araneta, G. C. (2006). Those Gabaldons. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from Philippine Heritage Conservation Society:
http://www.heritage.org.ph/article.php?id=39
Constituting a Task Force on the Conservation of Heritage School Buildings. (2009, April 15). DepED Memorandum No.
164 S. 2009 .
Gabaldon Schools of Ilocos Norte. (2009, March). Retrieved August 1, 2011, from Museo Ilocos Norte:
http://www.museoilocosnorte.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=221:gabaldon-schools-of-
ilocos-norte&catid=13:featured-exhibits&Itemid=18
Henares, I. (2006, March 8). Pillars of the Philippine educational system. Retrieved August 2011, from The Gabaldon
Legacy: http://gabaldon.ivanhenares.com/2006/03/pillars-of-philippine-educational.html
National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (2011). Draft Copy of Gabaldon Restoration Guidelines 2011.
RA 10066: National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. (2010, March 26).
Villalon, A. (2010, May 24). Pride of Place: Philippine-Australian cooperation restores Gabaldon-type school in
Camiguin. Retrieved August 2011, from Philippine Daily Inquirer:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/artsandbooks/artsandbooks/view/20100524-271665/Philippine-Australian-cooperation-
restores--Gabaldon-type-school-in-Camiguin

4|P a g e