The Las Piñas Gabaldon Hall is an old school building in Las Piñas located in the campus of the

Las Piñas Central Elementary School in Metro Manila, Philippines. The name "Gabaldon schools"
derives from a former Nueva Ecija congressman, Isauro Gabaldon, who introduced a law in 1907
that appropriated funds for the construction of school buildings nationwide.[1]
When the Americans arrived in the 19th century, one of their primary goals was the establishment of
the education system in the Philippines, and they created the Department of Education in order to
accomplish this goal. The American colonists utilised the institution of the educational system in
order to teach the Filipinos how to speak English, making the transmission of American values
easier. This was also done under the auspices of preparing the Philippines, then just emerging from
the aftermath of World War II, for independence.
One of the first delegations of American educators who rose to prominence in the Philippines arrived
on a ship called the "Thomas," which is the reason that the American teachers became known as
the Thomasites. [2]

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Context of Gabaldon Schools in the Philippines
 2Description
o 2.1Site
o 2.2Architectural characteristics
 3Present situation
o 3.1Existing building conditions
o 3.2Division of City Schools Las Piñas City
 3.2.1Mission
 3.2.2Vision
 4Gallery
 5References

History[edit]
Context of Gabaldon Schools in the Philippines[edit]
The Americans decided that more public schools must be provided in order 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]

Description[edit]
Site[edit]
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, a motorpool, guard houses, service areas, and additional offices, as well as a track oval
and a multi-purpose hall.

Architectural characteristics[edit]

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 Neo Classical Revival Style. This is observable in its U-
shaped configuration, the series of concrete columns in the middle section, and the utilization 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. At present, the sliding-type mechanism of the
windows and series of transoms are not functional. 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.

Present situation[edit]
Existing building conditions[edit]
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 utilized into plant boxes. The aluminum lettering of "DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS LAS PINAS
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 City[edit]

The Division of City Schools, Las Piñas City 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]
Mission[edit]
"We at the Division of Las Piñas shall unceasingly strive to provide quality, dynamic and relevant
education among learners through responsive and technologically-based curriculum, highly
motivated and competent teachers in a child-friendly environment."
"We at the Division of City Schools – Las Piñas shall relentlessly strive to provide equal and
equitable access to quality and relevant education with the belief that education can empower man
to shape his own destiny."[5]
Vision[edit]
"The Division of Las Piñas is a model division committed in developing a culture of excellence in the
delivery of quality education. It is a highly performing system responsive to the needs of the learners
and society in producing globally competitive, productive and morally upright learners."
"The Division of City Schools – Las Piñas is a model in the delivery of quality education; a system of
education that responds to the cultural, educational, environmental, financial, commercial, industrial,
technical, and technological demands of the progressively thriving City of Las Piñas in the 21st
century."[5]
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Pi%C3%B1as_Gabaldon_Hall