Pablo Torre, a Filipino-American sportswriter for ESPN, is currently going viral for wearing his dad’s University of the Philippines sablay to the Gold Gala. Captioning his Instagram post, he wrote, “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.”
Although some might think that this is quite the noble gesture, many netizens were quick to call him out.
LOOK: Netizens Call Out Fil-Am Sportswriter Pablo Torre for Wearing the UP Sablay
"Fil-Ams and their obsession with wearing anything that has baybayin on it is so funny to me because this is exactly how someone can end up wrongfully wearing a sablay," one netizen points out.
For those who aren't aware, there's a proper way and time to wear the sablay. According to the UP Office of the University Registrar, the sablay should be worn with an ecru, beige, or cream colored barong for males, or a sleeved, below-the-knee length dress for females. It should also only be worn during recognition programs, commencement exercises, investiture of chancellors and presidents, awarding of honoris causa, official photo taking, and other academic activities requiring the academic costume.
Clearly, Pablo broke these rules—first by wearing a tuxedo rather than a barong, and second for wearing it to the Gold Gala, which isn't an academic function.
"This is the equivalent of wearing your dad's toga in the Met Gala," one user tweeted.
"I feel like this guy just needed a 'token' Filipino item [and] saw his parents UP sablay [and] wore it [without] even thinking if it's appropraite. He's a Harvard graduate—imagine him wearing his Harvard Toga to that event. It would have been better if he wore Barong," another user quipped.
Of course, other netizens also couldn't help but feel personally offended. For many alumni, the sablay isn't just a representation of the institution that they graduated from but of the hardwork that students put in to be deserving of such a sash. So when a non-graduate of the University decides to wear it out of context, it’s only expected that many people from the university aren't going to be happy.
"Bakit ka nagsablay kung di ka UP alum? Read his reply and it's his dad's. Personally offended by this [because] it's so hard to wear that freaking cloth. Cried so much the first time I wore it during grad shoot. It's the cherry on top of all my blood, sweat, and tears," said one user.
Other netizens defended Pablo, pointing out that he meant no harm in wearing the sablay and only wanted to honor his parents and his Filipino roots.
"He's wearing it in honor of his dad and mom who are U.P. grads and in recognition of his Filipino ancestry. That's saying something! Sure it's worn in U.P. graduations and such, but neither is the tradition etched in stone (hint: Ten Commandments). He did it in good faith and it's certainly not a hanging offense by any stretch of imagination," commented one user.
"At least he is proud of his heritage. Hindi patalinohan ang labanan dito. Be proud that UP is being recognized," commented another.
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