Surviving Heritage Series

Since 1939, this primary school building in Barangay Jampang, Argao Cebu endured war, typhoons and poverty. Now a well preserved landmark, the school is where many hopes and dreams flourish. And one day this boy will look back to this day when he took the first step toward fulfilling a better life. Thanks to the LGUs of Barangay Jampang and Municipality of Argao and to the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. for the restoration of this Gabaldon School.

Gabaldon school: fulfilling dreams

by Ruel Javier Rigor

June 30, 2015

Commissioned by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

“Ang karaang eskwelahan” meaning the old school was how they used to call the Gabaldon building at Jampang Elementary School in upland Argao, southern Cebu. Built in 1939, it was partly damaged by typhoon Ruping in the 1980s. For lack of funding it has since remained unused for years. Two years ago, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc heeded the barangay’s call for assistance. With the support of the Local Government Unit of Argao, this farming community welcomed the return of classes to the once abandoned school now fully restored.

The restoration of the Gabaldon School building in Jampang is one of many executed by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. This effort began almost two decades ago that now covers all the LGUs of Cebu Province. It is in answer to the need for more classrooms in our schools.

The practical approach would have been to demolish dilapidated Gabaldon school buildings and be replaced with new ones. It is a quick solution to an age old problem. But buildings are not the only concern here. There is no other more unifying symbol of Filipino identity than the Gabaldon schools. Keeping their authenticity is keeping the fabric that is woven into the Filipino identity. The Conservation and Heritage Research and Workshop or CHERISH of the University of San Carlos is helping RAFI and the government bring integrity back to the school buildings built generations ago.

Since classes opened in June 2015, local folks and officials have been busy. Repair of the other buildings have began in earnest. And Barangay Chairman Danilo Remolino is leading a group of volunteers in replacing dilapidated parts and fixtures. The walls and roofs have to be strengthened he said, perhaps as strong as the Gabaldon, now the preferred evacuation center of the barangay. The old school had endured through decades of storms including Typhoon Ruping, which damaged the roof. But the entire structure had remained intact. It survived Ruping, considered by many as the most destructive force majeure to hit Argao in living memory. With restored sturdiness and strength, the community sees the Gabaldon as the shelter to many storms to come.

“Makab-ot ang mga pangandoy” or the fulfillment of dreams and dreams do come true. At 74 Simplicia Comporidondo is still strong and active. Everyone knows her or has come to know her as a teacher at Jampang Elementary School. When she retired in 2002, she has rendered 33 years of uninterrupted service to the school where she first learned her ABCs.

Born of farming parents, Simplicia entered then Jampang Primary School in 1947. She was seven years old. This was shortly after the end of the Japanese occupation of Argao. The Gabaldon building had stood unused throughout wartime. When it re-opened, it was the only primary school within a five kilometer radius.

“Maga baklay” or to walk in going to school recalls Simplicia. As it was in 1947, students follow a network of trails that hug the edge of hills and valleys in this undulated landscape. When rain comes, the trails are riddled in mud. So their slippers are left at the steps of the stairway so as not to bring dirt inside the classroom. It’s the dream of a better life that gets them going and aspired for higher education. Still, Simplicia who teaches catechism at the school grounds every Sunday, continues to walk her way to school.

They no longer call it karaang eskwelahan but simply Gabaldon. Although only a two-classroom building, the Gabaldon remains the biggest structure in the barangay more than 70 years after it was built. It is also on a picturesque site, perched on a hill, overlooking the coast of Argao and the Bohol Sea.

If the Gabaldon building had not been restored, it would have eventually gave way, piece by piece until ruined by age and time. But traditions live on. Three of Simplicia’s students, all natives of Jampang have taken over her role and are now teaching future generations of Jampang take the right steps in life, toward the fulfillment of their dreams, come storms and mud riddled trails.