Basta lagi may kuyang, bisan
hain mamawi.
Ian Laqui of the Philippine Star reported: On April
15, 2025 during end-of-school-year rites at Colonel Ruperto Abellon National
School in Laua-an, Antique, videos circulating online show the principal
instructing students to remove their togas, stating it was not the prescribed
attire and directing them to wear only their school uniform and handwoven sash.
The principal also told class advisers to note the names of students who did
not comply.
The move has drawn mixed reactions from netizens
and local stakeholders, with some supporting the promotion of local culture and
uniformity, while others have criticized the last-minute enforcement and public
embarrassment it may have caused to the students.
In a statement, the Department of Education (DepEd)
said its policies do not prohibit the wearing of togas at graduation or
moving-up ceremonies: “There is no prohibition under DepEd Memorandum No. 27,
s. 2025 and under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2023. The prescribed attire for
graduation and moving-up ceremonies includes casual or formal wear or the
school uniform. The toga or sablay may be worn as an optional supplementary
garment," the department said.
What was particularly unsettling was the
principal’s repeated invocation of “authority” in response to students who
voiced their dismay after being publicly humiliated—an act that appeared less
about discipline and more about asserting control. The incident has been seen
by some as a clear example of power-tripping, where leadership crosses the line
into authoritarianism, prioritizing personal dominance over empathy and student
dignity.
There was a manifestation of rigid adherence to
rules and procedures, preoccupation with order, control, and perfectionism,
even at the expense of flexibility or empathy. The principal’s insistence on a
specific dress code and penalizing non-compliance publicly may reflect an
underlying need for strict order and uniformity, common in individuals with
OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder) traits.
Also, authoritarian personality traits are
characterized by a strong emphasis on obedience to authority, and an
intolerance of dissent or perceived deviance from established norms.
Individuals with these traits often exhibit a black-and-white view of the
world, valuing conformity and hierarchical structures over empathy and
individual expression.
In leadership roles, this can manifest as overly
controlling behavior, punitive responses to noncompliance, and a tendency to
assert dominance to maintain order or respect. While not classified as a mental
disorder, the authoritarian personality has been studied extensively in social
psychology, particularly in contexts where power dynamics and social control
are at play. Such traits, when left unchecked, can lead to environments of fear
and repression, especially in institutions like schools, where authority
figures wield considerable influence over vulnerable populations.
Research suggests that authoritarianism can stem
from early childhood experiences, particularly authoritarian parenting styles
that emphasize strict obedience and conformity while discouraging independent
thought (Altemeyer, 1996). Additionally, societal and cultural factors, such as
exposure to social instability or perceived threats, can heighten authoritarian
tendencies, as individuals seek security through rigid structures and
hierarchical control (Osborne, Costello, Duckitt, & Sibley, 2023).
These personalities can have a chilling effect in
schools and organizations, fostering an atmosphere of oppression rather than
inspiration.
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