History and Heritage of the Gabaldon Buildings: In Kalibo, Banga and New Washington By: Cano, Nemis, Deita, Navarra and Paderes
- Jonell Gregorio
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
The Gabaldon buildings have served as public schools for generations of Filipinos.
They have witnessed wars, survived the strongest typhoons, and disasters in the Philippines. Yet, after a hundred years 2,045 Gabaldon buildings are still standing.
Beautiful. Classic and Unique.
While Aklan is home to twelve of these historic structures, we are highlighting five key landmarks that best capture the Gabaldon legacy; three in Kalibo and one each in the municipalities of Banga and New Washington.
Following the passage of the Gabaldon Act (Act No. 1801) in 1907, a transformative era of school construction began, lasting from 1908 until 1946. These structures were built to give Filipino students a proper environment for learning, and seeing children still running and playing around them today feels like a full-circle moment. It breathes life into the architecture, making it easy to look at these halls and imagine the generations of students who walked them a century ago.
There is a certain gravity to these sites, anchored by the central flagpole that stands as a silent witness to history. But what truly gives Gabaldon its "Maria Clara" soul is the fine attention to detail. The heritage color palettes, the rhythmic patterns of the capiz windows, and the sweeping staircases create a look that is both classy and timeless—a perfect blend of colonial influence and Filipino grace.
Outside the Gabaldon Building, there is a list of information containing the history and preservation of the building, including its architectural style.
Most of the Gabaldon Buildings in Aklan reflect a Neoclassical architectural style, which is symmetric and uses columns, combined with local Filipino elements such as wood materials inspired by the Bahay Kubo and Bahay na Bato.
These five Gabaldon Buildings in Aklan are public schools for hundreds of students, giving them comfort and a safe space every day, with the wooden exterior and interior walls adding
protection. The wooden flooring that makes little noise as you step is well maintained, and the eye-catching windows, which they call “Capiz Windows,” have a few damages but are still intact.
Architect Earl John Decena stated that, “The Gabaldon Building is made up of wood, but now, because of the restoration, concrete materials are used on columns and walls. It is made of concrete with a plastered and painted finish for preservation. The building also uses windows usually made of shell with patterns. The capiz shell is a thin translucent outer shell of the Placuna placenta mollusk. Some Gabaldon buildings use transoms on the top of the windows. The purpose of this is to let the heat provided by the sun out, while the wind enters on one side and then goes to the other side, providing passive cooling.”
Damages
Twelve years ago, Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the province of Aklan, which affected the Gabaldon Buildings, as the windows were ruined and the roof was leaking. This is why, for the past years, these buildings were under preservation for the safety of the students and faculty who use the space for ceremonies and academic gatherings.
The capiz shell windows in Kalibo Pilot Elementary School and Tigayon Elementary School are broken or missing, and some wooden walls are decaying from moisture.
General F. Castillo Memorial School has been restored several times, and one of the classrooms in the Gabaldon Building was converted into a library and Learning Resource Center, which won first place in the Regional Search for the Most Functional Mathematics Learning Resource Center. Unfortunately, the building is no longer functioning due to damage brought by Typhoon “Frank” on June 21, 2008.
In Banga, the historic Gabaldon Building at the Aklan State University (ASU) Main Campus is still being maintained. Although the flooring has been cemented, the building has aged over the years, and several sections of the walls and other areas show signs of wear and deterioration.
Lastly, five Gabaldon classrooms in New Washington Elementary School were partially damaged during Typhoon Yolanda.
The damage is not just caused by calamities. Age and deterioration also contribute.
Restoration
According to Architect Decena, Gabaldon Buildings across the Philippines are required to be preserved and restored, rather than demolished.
The Gabaldon Buildings in Aklan are now high priorities under the Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act (RA 11194). This legal mandate ensures that any restoration work must strictly adhere to heritage standards, utilizing original materials such as Philippine hardwood and capiz shells rather than modern substitutes. While the Department of Education and the National Historical Commission have earmarked funds for these sites, the immediate goal remains the “Defect Mapping” phase to prevent further collapse of the roof systems before the next monsoon season.
Ending
Gabaldon buildings in Aklan have gotten smart renovations. Workers fix leaky roofs, put in new electrical lines for lights and gadgets, and add modern plumbing. Sometimes, they build extra rooms next to the original structure so more students can fit, but they always make sure to keep the classic look of the old building—like the big arched windows, wide eaves that shade the walls, and high ceilings that keep the place cool even when it’s hot outside.
What’s really special is how they blend the old with the new. A lot of these buildings now have small heritage corners or displays inside, with old photos, stories about how the school started, and facts about the American colonial period. This way, students don’t just learn their lessons in the building—they also learn about its history and why it’s important to the province. Even after more than 100 years, Gabaldon buildings are still vital to Aklan’s schools.
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