The Palace on Sunday backed the proposal to use the sablay, an indigenous loose garment, instead of the toga for the graduation rites in elementary and secondary schools.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed the suggestion of Education Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua to use the sablay to “instill patriotism and nationalism among young learners.”
“It might be cheaper. It's okay as long as it won't harm and it's for the good of the schoolchildren, it's okay. If it's going to cut down expenses of parents, it's okay, Panelo said in a radio interview.
Pascua said the use of the toga “with its deep Western roots had been taken for granted all these years, and despite its many disadvantages,” adding that it was “not Filipino.”
“It does not inspire loyalty to the nation but serves as a reminder of a colonial past and the toga, which covers the whole body, is impractical and uncomfortable to use in a tropical country like the Philippines, Pascua said.
He said “renting or buying a toga, with gown and cap, is an additional expense and an added burden on parents.”
The use of the sablay by millions of students, he said, would also “provide jobs and empower women and men weavers and revive and sustain local and traditional weaving enterprises.”
Sablay has been known as the official academic costume of the University of the Philippines, worn across the chest during formal occasions. This is supposed to be worn over formal dress in ecru (cream or beige) for females with formal shows or an ecru Barong Tagalog and black pants for males.
Pascua said his proposal had yet to be discussed at the execom-Mancom levels and “remains a proposition.”
