“Sablay” instead of togas will be used in this year’s commencement exercises in public schools in Pasig City.
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said that sablay will be used in this year’s graduation rites in 44 public elementary and secondary schools. “Yes. For our 44 public elementary and high schools,” Sotto said.
Sotto disclosed that they have discussed the matter with Pasig public school officials and decided to use sablay instead of toga for their commencement exercises.
“Nagusap na kami ng mga pampublikong paaralan dito sa Pasig at mula sa ‘toga,’ dun na rin kami sa ‘sablay,’” Sotto said in a Twitter post.
Education Undersecretary for Administration Alain del Pascua has batted for sablay – an indigenous loose garment that is draped across the body during formal occasions and the official academic costume of the University of the Philippines – instead of toga for the end-of-school-year rites of elementary and secondary schools to “instill patriotism and nationalism among young learners.”
Parents of graduating public school students in Pasig will not shell out any amount for the sablay, the mayor said, as the city government will provide it for the graduates.
“Pasig City will shoulder the cost. Instead of toga rentals, we will purchase the sablay,” Sotto said.
The graduates, he said, could also take their sablay home “as a remembrance.”
He noted that the procurement of the sablay will undergo public bidding.
According to the DepEd School Calendar for School Year 2019-2020, end of school year rites are scheduled from March 30 to April 3. (Jhon Casinas)