Batan Elementary School Gabaldon Building
Contents
Category: Significant Tangible Immovable Heritage
District of Batan
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Gabaldon Building has been known to Batangnons as it is functional as the old Home Economics Building in the central of Batan Elementary School. The Gabaldon Building in Batan Elementary School symbolizes the first foundation of education in the Philippine public school system. The building was made up of wooden floor, capiz-shell with wooden frame window and high ceiling. A landscape in front, a Home Economics Room and a Canteen can be seen beside the building.
In the Philippines, Gabaldon school building is considered a heritage. During American regime, education was very significant and Gabaldon Law was established. The government built Gabaldon public school buildings and were designed by William Parsons. The Gabaldon building became historical and cultural features in provincial towns, that provides the needs of the people in terms of education. It was 1936 when the Gabaldon Building was built and located in a five-hectares site of Batan Elementary School. The Gabaldon building has large windows and high ceilings for a better ventilation. It is elevated 1.2 meters from the ground on concrete/wooden platform.
STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRUCTURE
The Gabaldon building has a lot of memories/stories that can be cherished of. This building was a Home Economics room before; the intermediate pupils used to cooked different foods to be served in every grade level during recess time. The Home Economics teacher taught them how to cooked “ laswa, eangkuga and binayong saging” that the pupils enjoyed and love to do. They were also taught how to sewed simple handkerchief, hand towel, kinds of stitches and crochet.
Decades thereafter, Batan Elementary School Gabaldon Building have served as the unique of active and happy Batangnons children. Its halls and walls have sheltered the tears and laughter of ambitious and hardworking young generations. Thus, this building have nurtured prominent and productive graduates in the different fields of the society.
SIGNIFICANCE
Historical - The Gabaldon Building surpassed the test of time as it was not included among the collateral damages of World War II when guerrilla unit under Capt. Manuel D. Roxas entered Batan and burned houses and public buildings on the belief that Japanese army would come back the place which was razed to the ground fire.
Aesthetic - The Gabaldon Building boosted at the center part of the school which gives unique structures that the passersby admire the antique look of the building. It also shows heritage impact to the Batangnons.
Social - Gabaldon Building serves as venue of gatherings like meetings, school activities and even an evacuation sites during typhoons and other calamities.
Socio economic - The Gabaldon Building serve to be the Home Economics Building for young and promising Batangnons whose experiences during war time had been a great source of inspiration and that through education they can have a better and peaceful future.
CONSTRAINTS/THREATS/ISSUES
The Gabaldon Building underwent repairs and renovations after the devastation of natural calamities: Typhoon Undang in 1984, an intensity 6 earthquake in 1990, Typhoon Frank in 2008 and Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. In several instances it also serves as an evacuation center in the community during strong typhoons. Yet, the Gabaldon building’s unique infrastructure has been well preserved.
The complete restoration of the Gabaldon Building was in the later part of 2021 because of pandemic period. The Schools District Supervisor during that time is Mr. Rudy R. Magcope and Mrs. Margie M. Aperocho is the School Principal II of Batan Elementary School.
REFERENCES
KEY INFORMANT/S: MARGIE M. APEROCHO, SP- II, Batan Elementary School
REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES: Pertinent Documents of School, School Building Inventory Form
NAME OF MAPPER/S: AILENE B. ESTIL, MT-I, Batan Elementary School
NAME OF LANGUAGE EXPERT: MA. LOURDES LIZZETTE Z. REMOLA, PhD, MT-II, Libacao Central Elementary School
NAME OF LAY-OUT ATIST: CHARLITO A. VENTURA JR., T-I, Ochando National High School
VALIDATORS:
DENNIS E. BONTOGON, MT-III, Kalibo Pilot Elementary School
JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE, T-III, Regional Science High School For Region VI
WIKI EDITORS:
LINO S. CASUMPONG, Teacher-III, LALAB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Batan District LRMS Coordinator
JOHN KERK O. MANALO, Teacher-I, PALAY INTEGRATED SCHOOL
APPROVED: RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD Education Program Supervisor- Araling Panlipunan DATE PROFILED: June 19, 2023
