Rizal Technological University (RTU) deviated from the customary academic toga for its 52nd Commencement Exercises, instead opting for a minimalist approach through the “Sablay”.

Day 1 of the RTU Graduation Rites was nothing short of a success, with hues of blue and gold infused with a touch of the college color of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Education (CED), Institute of Human Kinetics (IHK), College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accountancy (CBEA), and the Graduate School (GS) filling the 12,000-capacity Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

For the first time in history, what was formerly a mainstay of RTU’s commencement that represented a scholarly achievement rich in knowledge and promise has been replaced with a counterpart that speaks volumes about being Filipino.

The sablay, which is worn diagonally over the shoulder, represents a significant achievement in higher education and a continual embrace of knowledge and tradition. It is a vital addition to academic regalia, as graduates wear it to pledge their commitment to personal development and preserve their cultural legacy.

The RTU academic sablay is an embodiment of the institution’s shared values: consistency, honesty, accountability, notability, good governance, and empowerment. It has intricate decorations that honor our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, as well as the precolonial writing system employed by early Filipinos, the Baybayin.

The last batches from the College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accountancy (CBEA) and the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) concluded RTU’s 52nd Commencement Exercises.