Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua. SOURCE: DEPED TAYO FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Aiming to instill patriotism and nationalism among the youth, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Alain Pascua has proposed the use of “sablay” during commencement exercises in elementary and secondary schools.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Pascua confirmed reports online that he has proposed the use of sablay during graduation rites instead of toga, which, he said, has “deep Western roots”.
But the education official said his proposal “has yet to be discussed at the Execom-Mancom levels and remains a proposition.”
In his Aide Memoire dated February 18, Pascua pointed out that toga is “not Filipino”.
“It does not inspire loyalty to the country, but only serves as a reminder of a colonial past,” Pascua said, adding that toga is “impractical and uncomfortable to wear especially in a tropical country like the Philippines.”
Pascua also stressed that toga “does not encourage the flourish of cultural diversity” and just an “an additional expense and an added burden to parents.”
In proposing the use of sablay, the DepEd official highlighted that the indigenous loose garment promotes the core values of “Makabansa” and “Makakalikasan”; promotes local culture and national diversity; nurture ethnic roots and perpetuate the production of local textiles of indigenous peoples; boosts rural development; provides jobs and empowers women and men weavers; and revives and sustains local and traditional weaving enterprises.