Republic of the Philipines

MUNICIPALITY OF NAGUILIAN, LA UNION

Home of the Original Basi

Tourist Attractions

DR. HEMOGENES F. BELEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Gabaldon Building)

Description

The Gabaldon Building was constructed in 1903 by virtue of the Gabaldon Act which provides for the construction of schoolhouses of strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than sixty pupils. It is now the only standing Institutional Building in the municipality built before the destructive World War II in 1942. It was renamed into Dr. Hermogenes F. Belen in 1908 after Dr. Hermogenes F. Belen, a famous Iloko creative writer born in Naguilian, La Union. The construction of the said academy paved way for the establishment of schools in the rural areas in the municipality. Thousands of the school alumni regard the building as the living memorial and foundation of their early quest for knowledge.