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 thats manifested in its architectural design, Gabaldons are edifices
that are conducive to learning for the schoolchildren.
main distinct
features
1) 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 10077
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). AnImportant 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
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 otherappropriate
institutions in the conservation and restoration of its built heritage such as
the significant Gabaldon School buildings.