Archdiocese of Cebu

ARCHDIOCESE OF CEBU ARCHIDIOECESIS NOMINIS IESU O CAEBUANA Country: Philippines Denomination: Roman Catholic Established: 1595 as Diocese of Cebu elevated to Archdiocese in 1934

Official blazon
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially adopted in 2022.

The upper field of red represents the Sñr. Sto. Niño de Cebu (Bato Balani sa Gugma, or Magnet of Love), whose very image, which at first was a gift during the First Baptism five hundred (500) years ago, has now become the symbol of Faith in Cebu. On this same field are two lions: the first lion, in gold, is emblazoned with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Castile; while the other, in silver, is emblazoned with the personal coat of arms of Ferdinand Magellan—these two elements were present in the original coat of arms granted to the Archdiocese. Both refer to the Hispanic origin and nascent beginning of Catholicism in Cebu, the Cradle of Christianity in the Philippines. These two lions support the stylized monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus inside a stylized image of the sun—symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. It is deliberately placed at the top center of the arm, representing the titular of the Archdiocese. It also recalls the life and ministry of Jesus in the words of St. Paul (Letter to the Philippians): “…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:7-11)

The field of red also honors the Visayan Proto-Martyr, San Pedro Calungsod.

The lower field of blue symbolizes Our Lady and her motherly mantle of love and compassion for the Cebuano faithful as also portrayed by the monogram "Auspice Maria" (Under the Protection of Mary) with a gold crown (above), a silver crescent (below), and gold gloriole (around the monogram). This imagery specifically refers to her image and title, Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, through whose intercession, and by God’s grace flowing from above, has saved Cebu from the cholera epidemic of 1902. On 16 July 2006, Virgen de Guadalupe de Cebu was canonically crowned by the authority of Pope Benedict XVI as Patroness of the Archdiocese.

The upward, arrow tip-like shape of the blue field can be understood as a reminder to the Cebuano faithful that a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary inevitably leads to a greater love for her Divine Son, Our Lord. This is reminiscent of the traditional aphorism, "Ad Jesum per Mariam" (to Jesus, through Mary).

The entire shield is surmounted by the conventional heraldic elements identifying it to be the coat of arms of an Archdiocese, namely a Miter, and the crossed Crozier and Archiepiscopal Cross. Written on a scroll, below the arms, is the Motto of the Archdiocese: “Sanctum Nomen Eius,” which means “Holy is His Name,” taken from Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:49).

The previous arms:

Arms of Bishops

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Pedro de Agurto (1595-1608)
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Pedro de Arce (1612-1645)
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Juan Vélez (1660-1661)
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Juan López (1663-1672)
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Diego de Aguilar (1676-1692)
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Miguel Bayot (1697-1700)
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Pedro Sanz de la Vega y Landaverde (1705-1717)
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Manuel de Ocio y Campo (1734-1737)
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Protacio Cabezas (1740-1753)
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Miguel Lino de Ezpeleta (1757-1771)
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Mateo Joaquin Rubio de Arevalo (1775-1786)
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Ignacio de Salamanca (1792-1802)
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Joaquín Encabo de la Virgen de Sopetrán (1804-1818)
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Francisco Genovés (1825-1827)
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Santos Gómez Marañón (1829-1840)
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Romualdo Jimeno Ballesteros (1846-1872)
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Benito Romero (1876-1885)
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Martín García y Alcocer (1886-1903)
Thomas Augustine Hendrick (1903-1909)
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Juan Bautista Gorordo y Perfecto (1910-1931)
Gabriel Martelino Reyes (1932-1934)

Arms of Archbishops

Gabriel Martelino Reyes (1932-1949)
Julio Rosales y Ras (1949-1982)
Ricardo Jamin Vidal (1982-2010)
Jose Serofia Palma (2010-present)

Arms of Auxiliary Bishops

Juan Durán (1680-1681
Juan Bautista Gorordo y Perfecto (1909-1910)
Manuel Sandalo Salvador (1960-1969)
Nicolas Mollenedo Mondejar (1970-1974)
Jesus Armamento Dosado (1977-1979)
Angel Nacorda Lagdameo (1980-1986)
Camilo Diaz Gregorio (1987-1989)
Leopoldo Sumaylo Tumulak (1987-1992)
Emilio Layon Bataclan (1990-1995;2004-2015)
Antonio Racelis Rañola (1990-2003)
Precioso Dacalos Cantillas (1995-1998)
Jose Serofia Palma (1997-1999)
John Forrosuelo Du (1997-2001)
Antonieto Dumagan Cabajog (1999-2001)
Julito Buhisan Cortes (2001-2013)
Isabelo Caiban Abarquez (2002-2004)
Oscar Jaime Llaneta Florencio (2015-2019)
Dennis Cabanada Villarojo (2015-2019)
Midyphil Bermejo Billones (2019-present)
Ruben Caballero Labajo (2022-present)

Literature: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Z95zT62jreN26WdC/

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