Your Rules, Your Style---
When Rules Dictate Your Style

A Closer Look in PUP Fashion
and its New Dress Code Policy

by: Bryan R. Bahena

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is recognized as one of the most comprehensive state universities in the country-- rendering quality education to the fullest and producing a number of globally competitive individuals-- a total university that is, it has been the springboard and pedestal of many graduates towards the road to success. And though it may have some inadequacies when it comes to state-of-the-art facilities, it compensates through incomparable teaching strategies rendered by professors who share invaluable pieces of knowledge on their respective fields of expertise. Moreover, it provides a sound learning atmosphere that enables students maximize their indidividual potentialities.

Tagged as the university where freedom is exercised fully, it is just but undeniable that academic freedom is omnipresent in the premises of the university per se-- all aspects are guided by the doctrine of academic freedom-- students enjoy such pertinent benefits and rights including the concept of CHOICE.

From that point of view, let us delve on the deeper perspective of fashion statements prevalent in the university as far as the freedom of choice of the so-called and ever-phenomenal "iskolar ng bayan" is concerned.

The moment you walk on Teresa St., especially during morning (around 7:00-8:00) you'd see a bunch of students rushing to their first period classes-- walking very fast, carrying pile of books with bags either carried on the shoulder or at the back... some doesn't carry such while others have more than two (sounds nerdy, doesn't it?!). One time, I decided to come to school early to take a closer look on how my fellow PUPians gear and dress up for school. I stood in front of a bookstore which was around 4 alleys away from the main road. I watched closely as my fellow iskolar ng bayan walk towards the main gate. Unconsciously, I began smiling. During those moments (with my twittering imagination), I thought Teresa St. was a vast, flambouyant runway of an extravagant, star-studded fashion show-- similar to that of New York and Los Angeles fashion weeks. What confronted me was like a scenario where several models from all walks of life-- male, female, gays, bisexuals, lesbians, the rich, the marginalized (everyone was well-represented)-- strutted their fierce fashion statements. Moreover, it was a feast of diverse, differentiated designs of shirts, skirts, pants, apparel

It was such a heterogeneous mixture of fashion statements-- nonetheless, the common denominator was the "rugged" statement-- shirt on the top paired with the iconic maong pants and colorful sneakers or flip flops. I stood a little longer and watched a little closer. I started to smile more and more as I stared on my fellow PUPians. It was just but a surprise that although there was a common of denominator of ruggedness among them, still there was a difference that boiled down to choice-- color, design, prints, style and the alike-- on how the dresses were carried. There were some whose dresses fit them perfectly and emphasized their endowments while some had issues on symmetry-- a few had dresses that did not flatter their wonderful bodies.

I decided to walk along and enter the main campus. I was about to enter the gate. yet, on my surprise, I thought there was an ongoing commotion-- some students were not allowed to enter. I was puzzled and clueless if there was a problem. What was more surprising then was on that the same day, the new policy when it comes to "dress code" was implemented by the administration-- no spaghetti straps, no sleeveless, no micro-mini skirts, no flip flops and open shoes-- many things have been prohibited to be worn once you enter the University premises. On top of that, those colleges and departments that require uniforms would be strict in the implementation of their respective uniforms.

I thought, "Is this the start of an oppressive administration that plans to suppress the academic freedom of students?". I tried being optimistic and I told myself that maybe it was just one of the administration's strategic measures to make PUP a more globally competitive academic institution.

But as I walk towards the library (I had a tough assignment for my afternoon class and I had to consult the antique books...), I had some serious thoughts going on in my mind. Personally, I thought the policy was balderdash. It would just stir up the radicalism residing in the hearts and souls of the activist student movements. I mean, would there be any logical explanation that would justify the intertwinement between the way you dress and the way you are going to acquire knowledge? CERTAINLY NONE. Bottom line?!?! STUDY HABITS-- it's all there and not on the way you dress. Your performance inside the classroom would, in anyway, not be affected by the way you dress. The point is, for as long as you are comfortable with what you wear, go ahead! I do believe that after all, the Philippines emanates democracy... (nobody has the right to tell you what you are supposed to wear...).

Yet, on the other side of the story, I supposed that the administration was just concerned on how PUPians carry themselves as students especially on the way they dress. I just thought that all it wanted was for the students to become presentable, as far as their total personality was concerned. Going back, maybe it just wanted the best for the students as far as the university, being a globally competitive one, was concerned.

I pondered on these ideas as I browsed on my research materials. I weighed on both sides and I had a hard time dealing with the timely issue of that day. Yet, after all, I had a just judgment on my thoughts-- Dress the way you want but be sure it's within the context of what is ethical and moral from what is otherwise not... Remember, you are a student and you must dress like one. Many eyes are staring at you and are throwing judgments on the way you carry yourself-- keep in mind the societal norms which are juxtaposed to every individual of this intricate world. Yah! I mean, I thought I was like Plato and Aristotle during those times-- after all, I've always had a sound, rational mind in understanding issues.

I was about to finish my research when I thought that maybe, the issue of the new dress code policy of the university would still be a taboo-- especially to those who value academic freedom so much-- it would necessitate a little more time for explanations and justifications. Funny though, I also thought that once I get out of the library, I would hear student rallies condemning the said policy.

I was heading towards the exit when suddenly I heard loud noises from the fourth floor. Well, guess what?! Just as I thought... "Bagong Dress Code Policy, Ibasura!!!"

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