Context of Gabaldon Schools in the Philippines

The Americans decided that more public schools must be provided to facilitate the institutional education of the Filipinos. There were already an existing 534 schools constructed by the Spaniards, and the Americans added 1000 more schools, a number that steadily grew in the first 10 years of American occupation. The adopted three kinds of school buildings: the barrio school, the municipal school, and high school buildings.

Starting 1900s, they built sturdier schoolhouses that later became known as American Colonial Schools. American architect William E. Parsons was commissioned to develop prototype designs for the schoolhouses for both elementary and high school. There were twenty prototypes made that varied from one classroom to more than ten classrooms.

In 1907, assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon allotted a budget of one million pesos (sixty thousand dollars) for the construction of these prototypes all over the Philippines. These schools were later known as "Gabaldon Schools".^[1]

Site

With the growth of population in Las Piñas, the demand for education also began rising. Starting out from a single Gabaldon school, the movement led to the construction of several buildings and facilities within the complex. The site includes multi-storey classroom buildings, a health education building, guard houses, service areas, and additional offices, as well as an athletic track and a multi purpose hall.

Architectural characteristics

Capiz Windows with Grills

Reminiscent of the early years of the American occupation, Las Piñas Elementary School's Gabaldon Hall is one of the survivors of the city's rapid urbanisation.

The Las Piñas Gabaldon Hall reflects a neoclassical architecture style. This is observable in its U-shaped configuration, the series of concrete columns in the middle section, and the use of standardized G.I roofing. It belongs to one of the construction systems employed in Gabaldon Schools – the reinforced concrete built-in wall system. It has a medium aesthetic value; and medium state of originality.^[3]

It also features high ceilings, and windows made of capiz shells. The roof reflects Dutch gable roof design – similar to other types of Gabaldon schools. The windows are in sliding-type style, and the transom supplements ample lighting into the interior. The windows were made fixed and enclosed with wrought iron grill works while the transoms (including wood framing and capiz shells) were painted along with the walls of the hall.

Existing building conditions

Las Piñas Gabaldon Front Facade

The Las Piñas Gabaldon Hall integrated full air-conditioning system to cater according to its new use as an office building. Also, the gap between the concrete foundations and the natural ground line were used into plant boxes. The aluminum lettering of "Division of City Schools Las Piñas City" were added at the front facade. Also, green polycarbonate curved roofing were installed within the two entrances of the hall to provide shading.

The exposed pipe systems are still present and functioning. The G.I roofing and gutters have been changed. The eaves, as well as the walls, received general painting works for aesthetic and functional improvement. The original extension walls were made out of wood and replaced with concrete at some time.^[3]

Other replacements include fixed jalousies on the sides of the hall, new ceilings, fixed cement partitions (collapsible wooden partitions before), and clay and wood tiles.^[3]

Division of City Schools Las Piñas

The Division of City Schools, Las Piñas was established as one of the thirteen divisions of DECS – National Capital Region. It was formally opened on July 2, 1997, with the grant of cityhood to the former town of Las Piñas. Pursuant to Section 44 of the Las Piñas Charter, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 8251, the City Schools Division was officially created and was officially separated from the Division of Parañaque – Las Piñas (PARLAS) during a formal turnover ceremony held on June 27, 1997.

Maintaining the over-all administration and supervision of elementary and secondary or basic education at the division level is the promotional or supervisory staff headed by Ms. Virginia L. Peñafuerte as its City Schools Division Superintendent who is ably supported by Dr. Lourdes M. Victoriano as its Assistant Schools Division Superintendent.^[4]