SET TO BE INAUGURATED THIS WEEK IS the newly conserved Kugita Elementary School, a landmark Gabaldon-type schoolhouse on Camiguin.
What makes the inauguration significant is that the conservation was a joint effort of the Philippines and Australia, signaling for the first time foreign interest in the uniqueness and intrinsic value of Philippine heritage.
The Australian government participated through its AusAid program, which assists the Department of Education in school rehabilitation.
Another Australian partner is Streetwise Asia, a foundation headed by conservation architect Elizabeth Vines, which assists in the conservation of built heritage in Asia.
Philippine counterparts for the Kugita project were the DepEd and the Provincial Government of Camiguin. The Heritage Conservation Society provided technical support.
The Heritage Schoolhouse Program started when the Heritage Conservation Society partnered with the DepEd to conserve and restore heritage schoolhouses built during the American colonial period.
From an initial three heritage schoolhouses conserved with HCS participation, the program evolved into a nationwide DepEd program to restore unused and often abandoned heritage schoolhouses as an economical and sustainable means to ease the severe classroom shortage in the country’s educational system.
After having become aware of the DepEd program during his visit to Manila, Sydney architect Bruce Dawbin arranged for AusAid and Streetwise participation, which led to his working with HCS members to identify, survey, plan and conserve the Kugita schoolhouse.
Kugita Elementary School, a three-classroom heritage building on the island of Camiguin, is among the examples of Gabaldon Schools, now widely recognized by Filipinos as important group heritage structures.
Approximately 3,000 school buildings of the Gabaldon type were erected all over the Philippines during the American colonial period (1898-1945). Some are still in use and others survive in precarious conditions.
The 1920s Kugita school is a characteristic example of a “Gabaldon Schoolhouse” named in honor of Assemblyman Isuaro Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija, who authored the Education Bill appropriating the initial funding for schoolhouse construction in the early 20th century.
The schoolhouse network eventually expanded all over the archipelago, structures where the American-style educational system carried out totally in English was introduced.
Innovative structures
Supported by concrete foundations, the one-story wooden school-buildings were totally environmental and sustainable. Air circulated around the structure freely, through the large window openings, the open fretwork on the top portion of its wooden partitions; and, to provide further cooling, its floor was raised from the ground for added air passage.
The innovative structural system of concrete foundations that raise the wooden structure off the ground is typical of the Gabaldon prototype. Totally attuned to tropical conditions, the building design takes its cue from the Philippine bahay-kubo that raises the main quarters off the ground for ventilation.
Large center-pivoted kapis windows swing to allow maximum ventilation. The pierced wooden fretwork openings (calado) along the top of interior walls bring ventilation deep into the high ceilings of the school-building.
The building is of architectural interest as the three-pointed wooden arches on its façade framing a shallow entrance porch allude to Moorish influences that reflect an American-era image of the cultural heritage of Muslim Mindanao.
Conservation measures upgraded the rapidly deteriorating wooden exterior walls; replaced rusted roofing; stabilized concrete foundations; and upgraded electrical and plumbing facilities.
Now the small building that was unsafe for occupancy will provide three classrooms much needed by the overpopulated school.
What better way is there to bring home to Filipinos the reality that the high value of our very unique national heritage draws admiration from the international community which is willing to participate in its conservation as shown by the Kugita Elementary School conservation project?
AusAid and Streetwise Asia have indicated their interest in continuing their participation in the Heritage Schoolhouse Program together with DepEd and the Heritage Conservation Society.
“Streetwise Asia: A Practical Guide for the Conservation and Revitalization of Heritage Cities and Towns in Asia” can be purchased from the Australia Icomos Secretariat.
E-mail austicomos@deakin.edu.au; or the author Elizabeth Vines, McDougall & Vines Conservation and Heritage Consultants through liz@mcdougallvines.com.au.
Cost of the book is USD25 plus USD5 handling cost for orders from outside Australia. All proceeds from sales go toward Streetwise projects in Asia.
When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.
What makes the inauguration significant is that the conservation was a joint effort of the Philippines and Australia, signaling for the first time foreign interest in the uniqueness and intrinsic value of Philippine heritage.
The Australian government participated through its AusAid program, which assists the Department of Education in school rehabilitation.
Another Australian partner is Streetwise Asia, a foundation headed by conservation architect Elizabeth Vines, which assists in the conservation of built heritage in Asia.
Philippine counterparts for the Kugita project were the DepEd and the Provincial Government of Camiguin. The Heritage Conservation Society provided technical support.
The Heritage Schoolhouse Program started when the Heritage Conservation Society partnered with the DepEd to conserve and restore heritage schoolhouses built during the American colonial period.
From an initial three heritage schoolhouses conserved with HCS participation, the program evolved into a nationwide DepEd program to restore unused and often abandoned heritage schoolhouses as an economical and sustainable means to ease the severe classroom shortage in the country’s educational system.
After having become aware of the DepEd program during his visit to Manila, Sydney architect Bruce Dawbin arranged for AusAid and Streetwise participation, which led to his working with HCS members to identify, survey, plan and conserve the Kugita schoolhouse.
Kugita Elementary School, a three-classroom heritage building on the island of Camiguin, is among the examples of Gabaldon Schools, now widely recognized by Filipinos as important group heritage structures.
Approximately 3,000 school buildings of the Gabaldon type were erected all over the Philippines during the American colonial period (1898-1945). Some are still in use and others survive in precarious conditions.
The 1920s Kugita school is a characteristic example of a “Gabaldon Schoolhouse” named in honor of Assemblyman Isuaro Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija, who authored the Education Bill appropriating the initial funding for schoolhouse construction in the early 20th century.
The schoolhouse network eventually expanded all over the archipelago, structures where the American-style educational system carried out totally in English was introduced.
Innovative structures
Supported by concrete foundations, the one-story wooden school-buildings were totally environmental and sustainable. Air circulated around the structure freely, through the large window openings, the open fretwork on the top portion of its wooden partitions; and, to provide further cooling, its floor was raised from the ground for added air passage.
The innovative structural system of concrete foundations that raise the wooden structure off the ground is typical of the Gabaldon prototype. Totally attuned to tropical conditions, the building design takes its cue from the Philippine bahay-kubo that raises the main quarters off the ground for ventilation.
Large center-pivoted kapis windows swing to allow maximum ventilation. The pierced wooden fretwork openings (calado) along the top of interior walls bring ventilation deep into the high ceilings of the school-building.
The building is of architectural interest as the three-pointed wooden arches on its façade framing a shallow entrance porch allude to Moorish influences that reflect an American-era image of the cultural heritage of Muslim Mindanao.
Conservation measures upgraded the rapidly deteriorating wooden exterior walls; replaced rusted roofing; stabilized concrete foundations; and upgraded electrical and plumbing facilities.
Now the small building that was unsafe for occupancy will provide three classrooms much needed by the overpopulated school.
What better way is there to bring home to Filipinos the reality that the high value of our very unique national heritage draws admiration from the international community which is willing to participate in its conservation as shown by the Kugita Elementary School conservation project?
AusAid and Streetwise Asia have indicated their interest in continuing their participation in the Heritage Schoolhouse Program together with DepEd and the Heritage Conservation Society.
“Streetwise Asia: A Practical Guide for the Conservation and Revitalization of Heritage Cities and Towns in Asia” can be purchased from the Australia Icomos Secretariat.
E-mail austicomos@deakin.edu.au; or the author Elizabeth Vines, McDougall & Vines Conservation and Heritage Consultants through liz@mcdougallvines.com.au.
Cost of the book is USD25 plus USD5 handling cost for orders from outside Australia. All proceeds from sales go toward Streetwise projects in Asia.
When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.
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