THE DEPARTMENT of Education will host a nationwide contest to highlight the cultural and historical importance of Gabaldon school buildings.

“These Gabaldon school buildings are historical structures where generations of Filipinos first experienced the light of knowledge and wisdom. We must preserve these structures and even promote them as a reminder of our nation’s rich history,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

“In support of the Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act and DepEd’s own Gabaldon Schoolhouse Conservation Project, the contest aims to emphasize the pivotal role of Gabaldon Schools in shaping the nation’s public school system,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua said.

“Moreover, it hopes to instill among the younger generation that sense of place and pride and for them to treasure their time in these historical edifices as much as their ancestors did,” he added.

The contest is open to all public elementary and secondary schools with existing Gabaldon heritage school buildings.

The contest has three main categories — Best Gabaldon photos, Best Gabaldon write-ups and Best Gabaldon videos.

Video entries are preferably done in Filipino, but English or any native language is allowed, provided there are subtitles in Filipino. The videos should be 1080p, mp4 format, with a 2.5- to 4-minute duration, including credits. The sub-categories for the video are Documentary, Feature, Portraiture, and Animation.

All entries should be submitted via email to [email protected] and [email protected] on or before 5:00 PM on July 25, 2021. A total of 14 winners, 28 runners-up, and 70 finalists will be chosen.

The winners will be featured in the Gabaldon Coffee Table Book and Gabaldon Full Feature Documentary that will be launched on December 21, 2021.

Winning entries and finalists will also be featured in exhibits to be held at the DepEd Central Office and at the Baguio Teachers Camp’s Gabaldon Museum, where they will be displayed permanently.