Fil-Am draws flak for wearing UP’s ‘Sablay’ during gala

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American sports journalist Pablo Torre drew flak online for wearing the official academic costume of the University of the Philippines, called “sablay,” during a recent gala in the United States. Last May 8, Torre shared on his social media accounts a photo of him and fellow journalist

Mina Kimes during the Gold Gala event in Los Angeles, California. In the photo, Torre was seen wearing UP’s sablay over a black tuxedo. His Twitter post was captioned with the flags of South Korea and the Philippines, supposedly to pay tribute to his heritage. “So, just wanted to answer a couple questions about the sash I'm wearing here, which is called a sablay. And this specific one proudly belongs to graduates of the University of the Philippines,” Torre wrote in another post on Instagram. “I didn't go to UP. But both of my parents, and both of their late fathers, did. So shoutout to my dad for letting me borrow his sablay for one night, so I could pay tribute to all of them,” he added. While some praised

Torre for paying tribute to his heritage, others pointed out that he broke the guidelines and protocols for wearing UP’s sablay at a gala. “I am happy that you're proud of your heritage, but I'd like to mention that the UP sablay is an academic attire with its own restrictions. Much like how we don't wear a cap and gown to the red carpet, we aren't supposed to wear an academic sablay in these contexts,” one wrote on Twitter. “There's a certain protocol and institutional reason why UP grads wear sablay, please do know first. Appreciate it more if you take it down. Thank you,” said another user. Others likened it to wearing a toga and cap during a formal event. Both Torre and UP have yet to issue statements on the matter. On its website, UP stressed that “due respect should be given to the sablay, it being the official academic costume of the university.” According to the guidelines, the academic costume must only be worn during recognition programs, commencement exercises, investiture of chancellors and presidents, awarding of honoris causa and other academic activities requiring the academic costume and official photo-taking. “Formal clothing should be worn with the sablay as a sign of respect for the official academic costume and to preserve the solemnity and dignity of the occasions when it is worn,” it added.

The recommended dress code for males is an ecru, beige or cream barong top; black pants and black shoes. A dress of the same color, preferably with sleeves or worn with a shawl or bolero, any length below the knee and up to the ankle and formal shoes is recommended for females. The sablay was introduced as UP’s academic costume in 1990 and was adopted officially in 2000. It replaced the traditional mortarboard and toga. “The sablay symbolizes our nationalism and the importance we put upon our indigenous culture, which are among the values learned from the University. The word ‘sablay’ refers to an indigenous loose garment that, simple yet elegant, is used traditionally used for formal occasions,” UP said. “The sablay, as the academic costume is adorned with ukkil and geometric elements. The ukkil represents the growth of knowledge while the triangles and chevrons, as geometric patterns, are common design elements across indigenous cultures in the Philippines,” it added. The baybayin for letters U and P appear as a symbol on the sablay.