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It is in the Gabaldon schools where the foundation of the Philippine public school
system, which gave everyFilipino child the chance to acquire a formal education,
was laid down.Gabaldons schools, though designed by American Architect William
Parsons (a consulting architect of theBureau of Public Works from 1905-1914, more
known for his works on the Manila Hotel, Philippine GeneralHospital, 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, withclassrooms along one side of an open gallery, lifted off the
ground. Gabled
nipa
roofs (originally, but havesince 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 forlearning spaces in a tropical environment. At
the same time, its architectural aesthetic and structuralelements like the
calado,
exposed beams, awning windows, fascia have designs that range from
geometricminimalist 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 systembut 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 themost unremitting, the most constant and incessant in
meeting the demands of their original use andpurpose, 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 theConservation 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 toidentify 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 theNational 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 significantGabaldon
School buildings.In fact, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is
rearing for the full implementation of theconservation of heritage school building
and is in the process of completing and disseminating theGabaldon Restoration
Guidelines.Education on the importance of Gabaldon schools is particularly urgent,
as reports of demolition and/orplans 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 withinusually well-appointed campuses, mostly located within or near
the
poblacion
or town centers, forming animportant part of the municipalitys civic pride.
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Upon initial investigation on the American-era school buildings around the province,
unique details havebeen observed in the Gabaldon schools built in Bohol. In fact,
there is reason to infer that, despite beingbuilt from a similar prototype, no two
Gabaldon schools all over the country are built exactly alike. Eachlocality
customized according to the specific requirements of their locale, as well as
injecting details andornamentation that define local cultures and
traditions.Additionally, major alterations on the Gabaldon school buildings in the
province have been observed. Someschool buildings that may have been Gabaldon-
types have been demolished without ruckus or concernfrom the community, with
reports of demolition as recent as the last five years (i.e. a structure inTagbilaran
City East Elementary School).This architectural research and documentation,
anchoring upon the importance of cultural heritagepreservation, aims to:1.
Promote the adoption of the most effective architectural features and construction
techniques of the Gabaldon-type schools in designing and constructing new learning
spacesArchitectural documentation is the first most important step in the heritage
conservation process andserves to elevate and actualize the architectural and
socio-cultural significance of a heritage structure.Following a systematic approach,
architectural documentation encompasses the inspection andintrospection 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.
Conduct of key informant interviews and gather historical/ written data on the
Gabaldon schools3.
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The documentation of Bohol Gabaldon schools will be divided into five (5) sub-
groups:1.
The rest of BoholIt is hoped that with these initial steps of documenting the
Gabaldon schoolhouses of Bohol, the meaningand value of said structures not only
as learning spaces, its rich social and historical significance toBoholanos, but also as
important architectural landmarks that are testament to the Filipino and Bol-
anoncraftsmanship.Re-establishing the importance of designed and built learning
environments, in general, and the Gabaldonschools, in particular will also reinforce
the discourse on the value of education for all.
The ProponentsAsia Center for Sustainable Futures, Inc.
(ACSF) is a non-stock, non-profit alternative research andadvocacy center,
established in 2010 with the vision of advancing the interest of the people
throughparticipation and creative collaboration in research and advocacy towards
sustainable futures. ACSF isbased in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, UAP
is an architect advocating for social, cultural and ecologicalconsciousness in the
designed environment professions. A writer and development
communicationspractitioner, she is the Communications and Advocacy Officer
of ACSF. In June 2011, she became an adjunctlecturer in the Department of
Architecture and Industrial Design, College of Engineering Architecture at theBohol
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=39Constituting 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=18Henares, I. (2006, March 8).
Pillars of the Philippine educational system.
Retrieved August 2011, from The GabaldonLegacy:
http://gabaldon.ivanhenares.com/2006/03/pillars-of-philippine-
educational.htmlNational 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 inCamiguin.
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
Section 48 of the law provides that whoever intentionally destroys, demolishes,
mutilates or damages a heritage building (that includes buildings 50 years or older)
or modifies, alters, or destroys the original features of or undertakes construction or
real state development in any site protected by the NHCP, shall be, upon conviction,
"subject to a fine of not less than P200,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not
less than ten (10) years, or both upon the discretion of the Court." It provides
further that "if the violation is committed by a juridical person, the president,
manager, representative, director, agent or employee of said juridical person
responsible for the act shall also be liable for the penalties provided."