One legacy left by the Spaniards in the country is the Baroque-style churches built all around the archipelago. Aside from these churches, the Spaniards also left behind a number of heritage houses, particularly in the southern towns of the island. On the other hand, the legacy left by the Americans was the Gabaldon school buildings that were built across the country from 1907 to 1946. These school buildings showed that education was one of the objectives of the Americans when they came to the Philippines.
Gabaldon School Buildings – image source: aboitizeyes.aboitiz.com
Isauro Gabaldon
Isauro Gabaldon was the man behind the Gabaldon school houses. He was born in Nueva Ecija to a Spaniard and a Filipina. His family had the means to send him to study in Spain where he completed a “bachiller en artes” degree at the Colegio Villanueva de la Jara. Gabaldon also finished with a law degree at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He went on to become the governor of Nueva Ecija before he became a member of the Philippine Assembly. As an assemblyman, Gabaldon authored the law that led to the construction of school buildings in different parts of the country. The law, or Act No. 1801, is popularly known as the Gabaldon Act.
Isauro Gabaldon was the man behind the Gabaldon school houses. He was born in Nueva Ecija to a Spaniard and a Filipina. His family had the means to send him to study in Spain where he completed a “bachiller en artes” degree at the Colegio Villanueva de la Jara. Gabaldon also finished with a law degree at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He went on to become the governor of Nueva Ecija before he became a member of the Philippine Assembly. As an assemblyman, Gabaldon authored the law that led to the construction of school buildings in different parts of the country. The law, or Act No. 1801, is popularly known as the Gabaldon Act.
Isauro Gabaldon – image source: en.wikipedia.org
The law stipulated the construction of school buildings in barrios or barangays with a daily attendance of at least sixty students. It was implemented with a budget of PHP1 million, which was already a considerable amount during that time. These school buildings were later called the Gabaldon Schoolhouses or simply the Gabaldons.
Gabaldon School Buildings – image source: sunstar.com.ph
Gabaldon Schoolhouses in Cebu
The Gabaldon school buildings followed a standard design made by Architect William Parsons. The elegant designs of these school buildings instilled a sense of pride among the teachers and students who used them. They also started to appreciate the finer things in life. Many Filipino children first learned to read and write in these schools during the early part of the 20th century.
The Gabaldon school buildings followed a standard design made by Architect William Parsons. The elegant designs of these school buildings instilled a sense of pride among the teachers and students who used them. They also started to appreciate the finer things in life. Many Filipino children first learned to read and write in these schools during the early part of the 20th century.
Gabaldon School Buildings – image source: aboitizeyes.aboitiz.com
The province of Cebu has over one hundred forty Gabaldon school buildings. These structures are located in different parts of the island. The first floor of the Gabaldon buildings were elevated four feet from the ground. They also featured a wide lobby and windows made of wood and Capiz shells.
Gabaldon School Buildings – image source: skyscrapercity.com
Preservation Efforts
The Gabaldon buildings in Cebu have become a part of the history and culture of the towns where they are located. Aside from serving as a venue for the education of young children, these structures are also a part of the life of the residents of these towns. The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) is working with the local government, the provincial government, and the Department of Education (DepEd) to preserve these historically-significant school buildings. Nearly thirty of these buildings were already restored and the restoration of the rest is underway. Some of the Gabaldon buildings that were already restored are located in Argao, Asturias, Carmen, Alegria, Pinamungajan, and Madridejos, among others. The restoration efforts also enjoy the support of the League of Municipalities – Cebu Chapter and the USC School of Architecture.
The Gabaldon buildings in Cebu have become a part of the history and culture of the towns where they are located. Aside from serving as a venue for the education of young children, these structures are also a part of the life of the residents of these towns. The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) is working with the local government, the provincial government, and the Department of Education (DepEd) to preserve these historically-significant school buildings. Nearly thirty of these buildings were already restored and the restoration of the rest is underway. Some of the Gabaldon buildings that were already restored are located in Argao, Asturias, Carmen, Alegria, Pinamungajan, and Madridejos, among others. The restoration efforts also enjoy the support of the League of Municipalities – Cebu Chapter and the USC School of Architecture.
Gabaldon School Buildings – image source: aboitizeyes.aboitiz.com
The Gabaldon School houses are heritage structures that can serve as a reminder for us on the importance of education in uplifting the lives of the masses. While some of these structures were already converted into museums, there are still a number that are still being used as schools in different parts of the country.
Is there a Gabaldon school building in your hometown? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
Is there a Gabaldon school building in your hometown? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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