By: Ira Anastasia Acierto
Cartoon by: Ann M Calsada | The LANCE
Within the centuries-old walls of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, discipline is not merely encouraged—it is worn. From mandatory full attire to haircut regulations and accessory guidelines, the institution’s uniform policy has long symbolized unity, professionalism, and identity. Yet behind neatly pressed polos and polished shoes lies an ongoing conversation among administrators and students: does discipline strengthen community, or does it limit self-expression?
The Institutional Stand: Discipline, Identity, and Values
For Assistant Professor Leo N. Bernadas, MBA, Director of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), the policy is not arbitrary—it is foundational.
“Well, it is really indicated in the student handbook,” he explained, emphasizing that enforcement is coordinated with security personnel and academic departments to ensure fairness and consistency. When violations occur, IDs are confiscated and turned over to the DSA, but students are still allowed entry. “There is a record of minor violations… we call it ‘progressive disciplinary actions’,” he said. “It means there is a progressive, not immediate.”
Rather than imposing immediate suspension, the system begins with warnings, followed by possible community service for repeated infractions. Suspension comes only when violations become habitual. According to Bernadas, this structured process demonstrates fairness rather than rigidity.
“Usually, they are amenable,” he noted about students who commit violations. “They see that the implementation is just and fair… As far as I haven't received any complaints with regards to the implementation of such policy.”
For the DSA, uniforms are more than fabric—they are formative. “It is part of presentation, it’s part of professionalism, it’s part of values formation,” Bernadas said. Even employees follow prescribed attire, reinforcing that the policy applies to the entire community. “As a community, as an institution, mayroon tayong sinusunod na common policy.”
Still, the DSA acknowledges room for consideration. Students with special circumstances—such as hair-related concerns—may formally request approval. “Subject for assessment and approval of the DSA,” Bernadas clarified. Exceptions are possible, but not automatic.
Student Realities: Heat, Hair, and Gate Checks
For many students, however, lived experience adds nuance to the policy’s intent.
John Erwin Garcia, a third-year Psychology student, shared that while the uniform policy does not always disrupt his daily routine, certain requirements feel outdated. “If we were to talk about hair grooming standards, I would have to say that it is highly irrelevant to keep our hairstyles in check,” he said. “Realistically, how would 3–4 inches of hair length impact my capability to learn?”
Garcia views hair as a form of modern self-expression, questioning whether such restrictions truly connect to academic discipline. He also described gate checks as “wildly inconsistent.” “There were times that I was able to walk past the guards with minimal issues,” he recalled. “However, there are instances where I am suddenly asked for my schedule despite being let in a couple of minutes prior.”
For him, the unpredictability can feel frustrating—particularly when he is already in complete uniform.
Leanne Nadine Salimbagat, a third-year Marketing Management student, echoed concerns about comfort, especially under Manila’s tropical heat. “The full attire can be quite difficult to manage in the Manila heat, making it hard to stay focused when you are physically uncomfortable,” she said. Coming from a previous university without uniforms, she sees the contrast clearly.
“I think they should slowly start to accept more forms of self-expression to keep up with the current generation,” Salimbagat added.
Gate enforcement has also affected her experience. On Wednesdays—Letran’s wash day—she sometimes wears her blue Letran shirt because she has not yet received the promised quadri shirt. “It feels a bit unfair to be flagged for something that is out of my control while I am still trying to follow the spirit of the rule,” she explained.
Both students recounted penalties that felt disproportionate. Garcia was once penalized for wearing cargo shorts during summer break while paying tuition. Salimbagat had her ID confiscated for wearing Crocs to a Saturday class. “Experiences like this can make a student feel more like they are being watched rather than being part of a community,” she reflected.
Professionalism vs. Modern Flexibility
The administration frames uniforms as preparation for professional life. Salimbagat acknowledges this perspective: “The school is definitely strict with discipline, and I can see how that might help us stay organized and professional in the future.”
Yet both students argue that modern workplaces are evolving. “Modern workplaces are becoming more flexible,” Salimbagat noted, suggesting that limited freedom within guidelines could better reflect real-world diversity. Garcia was more direct: “I do not believe that a strict uniform policy affects how discipline manifests itself in professional life.”
The tension lies not in rejecting discipline, but in redefining it. Students are not calling for the abolition of uniforms; instead, they propose calibrated change. Garcia suggests uniforms remain mandatory during regular class days but allow flexibility during organizational duties or events. Salimbagat proposes easing restrictions on hairstyles and footwear to “balance Letran’s traditions with the actual needs of the students.”
A Tradition in Transition
At its core, the debate over uniforms at Letran is not simply about hair length or footwear—it is about identity. The institution views attire as a tool for unity, safety, and values formation. Students see it as a boundary that sometimes clashes with comfort and individuality.
Both perspectives, however, share common ground: a desire for fairness and belonging.
As Bernadas emphasized, the policies are anchored in discipline and formation. But as students continue to voice their perspectives, the conversation evolves. In an institution rooted deeply in tradition, even a slight adjustment in the dress code may represent something larger—a willingness to listen, adapt, and grow alongside the generation it seeks to form.
In Letran, discipline is worn with pride. The question remains: can it also be tailored with flexibility?