Gabaldons

Gabaldons refer to Gabaldon-type public school buildings in the Philippines. The term comes from Act No. 1801, the Gabaldon Act, passed by the Philippine Commission in 1907 to fund standardized school facilities nationwide. The act was named after Isauro Gabaldón, the legislator who sponsored it, and it sought to expand access to education during the early American colonial period.

Construction occurred mainly in the first two decades of the 20th century. Built nationwide, especially in rural areas, the buildings were meant to accommodate growing enrollments and to provide durable, uniform facilities.

Architecturally, Gabaldon buildings typically feature a long rectangular plan, simple timber-and-masonry construction, a durable roof, and large windows on the façades to provide light and ventilation. Interiors usually included one or more large classrooms with high ceilings and minimal partitions.

Today, many Gabaldon buildings survive and remain in use as schools or repurposed for community functions. They are regarded as important remnants of the American-era education system and are the focus of preservation efforts by local governments and heritage groups. The Gabaldon legacy marks a formative period in Philippine educational and architectural history.