The Official Seal of the City of Naga, as finally approved by the Philippine Heraldry Committee, is essentially designed by Dr. Domingo Abella. Modifications made by the Committee affected the details of form and shape in line with an official standard and uniform pattern laid out by the Committee for all Official Seals in the country. No armorial device, however, was changed or eliminated.
The heraldic significance of the Coat of Arms of the City of Naga covers a span of 375 years – from 1573, the beginning of its recorded history, to 1948, the year of its inauguration as a regularly Chartered City by virtue of Republic Act No. 305. The years 1575, 1900 and 1946 are also recorded on the escutcheon because they mark important milestones, as it were, in the city’s existence.
Dates in Seal
1573-marks the year the Spaniards first arrived in Naga.
1575-the year Ciudad de Caceres (later Nueva Caceres) was established.
1948-Naga is Proclaimed Chartered City (Republic Act No. 305).
Shapes and Figures:
Narra (Naga) tree on a rice field -represents the native settlement discovered by Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1573.
Castle -dominates the right side representing the Spanish city of Caceres, the center of power over South Luzon.
Triangle-represents the Katipunan. Naga was a focal point for rallying the region in the struggle against foreign domination.
American eagle-symbolizes US rule.
The Coat of Arms of the Republic was approved by Commonwealth Act No. 731 and began the heraldic tradition in the Philippines. The former President Manuel L. Quezon issued the implementation of Executive Order No. 310 s. 1940 creating the Philippine Heraldry Committee to study and recommend the adoption of coat of arms for the different government offices, semi-government corporations, provinces and chartered cities.
The symbolism:
Coat of Arms - The official seal of the Senate of the Philippines was an adaptation of the Coat of Arms of the Republic and was approved on July 15, 1950. It was inevitable because the Senate is the legislative body of the state. The coat of arms of the republic represents three historical phases which are Philippines, Spanish, and American.
The Sun and the 3 Stars (The Chief) - The Philippine symbols are shown in the chief part of the coat of arms. The three mullets or 5-pointed stars represent the solidarity of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The eight-rayed Philippine Sun “in rayonnet” represent the provinces of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Morong, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite, which under Martial Law by a decree of the Spanish government during the revolution of 1896.
The Sampaguita Flower - The sampaguita with six sampaguita buds on each side represents the 12 regions of the country. The sampaguita flower symbolizes the honor and dignity, characteristics, which epitomize the Senate as an institution.
The Motto and the 24 stars - Under the coat of arms is a scroll with a latin inscription “Legis Servitae Pax Fiat” which means “Law Serves Peace, Let It Be Done” which embodies the aspiration of the Senate to pass relevant laws in order to attain peace in the country. The 24 stars arranged in a circle surrounding the coat of arms represent the 24 elected Senators of the Senate of the Philippines.
The new symbolic representation of Valenzuela is a simple, and respectful take by the designers (Ulysses H. Aguilar, and Jun Seno) on capturing the involuted connection of traditional, and modern-day demeanor within the city.
It was approved in 1989 by the Office of the President.
The seal symbolisms:
Colors and design of the Philippine flag: The color and design inspired by our national flag reflects the innate nature of nationalism within the hearts of Valenzuelanos as they bear the name “Filipino” with pride, and love.
Gavel: It manifests the symbol of authority that the local government of the city exhibits.
Agriculture (Farmers’ hat, hoe, and field & Fisheries): The farmers’ hat, hoe, and field represents “BUKID” while the fisheries pose as the “BAYAN”; These two are Valenzuela’s imaginary traditional areas.
Map of Valenzuela: This resembles a dove with wings outstretched— It pertains to a symbol of hope, and desire within the community's people for a peaceful and progressive years to come.
Three stars: Stars represent the 3 main branches of the local government (The City Government, Council, and Judicial Courts).
Factory: It demonstrates the city’s prestige in the world of manufacturing industry.
Scale: The scale illustrates the fairness of justice.
Sampaguita Wreath: Leaves of the sampaguita wreath stands for the number of barangays (32 barangays) comprising the city of Valenzuela.
District 1:
Arkong Bato
Balangkas
Bignay
Bisig
Canumay
Coloong
Dalandanan
Isla
Lawang Bato
Lingunan
Mabolo
Malanday
Malinta
Palasan
Pariancillo Villa
Pasolo
Poblacion
Polo
Punturin
Rincon
Tagalag
Veinte Reales
Wawang Pulo
District 2:
Gen. T. De Leon
Karuhatan
Bagbaguin
Mapulang Lupa
Marulas
Maysan
Parada
Paso de Blas
Ugong
Bohol produced a list of its own provincial symbols using all of the assets found on the island. Certain symbols represent the innate characteristics of the Boholanos, which include their hard work, hospitality, friendliness, love of freedom, and fierce independence. The latter characteristics have been demonstrated throughout Bohol's history by its valiant resistance to foreign power.
In accordance with Provincial Board Resolutions No. 238 from October 28, 1969, and No. 121, series of 1971, the official flag of Bohol was established. Red, White, and Blue, were the primary colors of the flag which symbolizes bravery, nobility, and purity. This color scheme aims to honor the memory of Bohol’s famous native heroes namely Sikatuna, Tamblot, Dagohoy, and President Gabriel P. Carlos. The size and the dimension of the flag shall remain the same as the Philippine National Flag.
Colors and Pattern:
The colors of the flag shall be the following:
Blue- which stands for nobility
White- represents purity; and
Red- exemplifies courage.
The path/strips of the blue and red runs in a perpendicular grain with a patch of in-between white.
Symbolism:
Chocolate Hills - Chocolate Hills is a popular tourist spot in the province which symbolizes the bounty of its natural beauty that has been entrusted in the province of Bohol. The additional green backdrop in the replica of the province's coat of arms depicts Bohol's reputation as an agricultural province, wherein the majority of the population makes their living from farming.
Blood Compact - The Boholano people's desire for peace has been represented by the Sikatuna - Legaspi Blood Compact. There is blood seen gushing from their wrist wounds. According to historical accounts, Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain, and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, a representative of Spain, are thought to have drank a mixture of their blood, known as a "Sandugo," which symbolizes a blood compact that forever sealed the friendship between the two races.
The Two Bolos - The Dagohoy and Tamblot uprisings are represented by the bolos with their handle and handguards on top, reclining to the left and right, respectively. This illustrates the idea that a real Boholano will rise up and battle if outside forces force them to do anything that is beyond reason or tolerance.
The Lone Star - The sole Philippine President to come from the province is Carlos P. Garcia, a Talibon native and son of the Lone Star. Every Boholano who goes on to become president of the Philippines will receive an additional star.
The city's flag was created under Mayor Timoteo O. Encarnacion, Jr.'s administration. In preparation for the 55th anniversary of the City of Cavite's founding, the Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted this flag on September 6, 1995, through Resolution # 95-081. The flag was planned, developed, and interpreted by the Mayor personally.
The meaning, symbol and significance of the Flag components:
A. The two red stripes represent the Cavities' boundless strength and valor not just in times of war and adversity, but also in times of peace. The unending bravery to spill blood or even die in order to safeguard and defend their nation, as well as to defend and die for its beliefs and principles. It also represents and symbolizes an abundance of bravery to alter what has to be done for the better, the best, and the common good. The courage and bravery to maintain our country's and people's magnificent values, traditions, and culture; and finally, the courage and bravery to fight for the city's and country's growth under the principles of justice, liberty, and democracy, and with divine direction.
B. The middle green strip symbolizes and signifies the progress and advancement achieved so far by the city and vision and dreams to achieve further progress under a regime of justice, liberty and democracy and under the protection of God Almighty.
C. The half sun, signifying the rising sun, means hope, dreams and visions of the Caviteños for material, physical, moral and spiritual progress; and if the setting sun, to project the fact that at the western shores of the city can be seen one of the most beautiful sunsets, if not in the whole world, in the whole Philippines, The five yellow or gold stars in between the sun rays represent and symbolize the five districts comprising Cavite city, namely: San Roque including Fort San Felipe, San Antonio, including Sangley Point and the Corregidor Island and nearby Islands; Caridad, Sta. Cruz and Dalahican up to Calero Creek.
D. The other half of the imaginary circle below the half sun, composed of three (3) sets of waves, in blue, light blue and white colors signify and symbolize that Cavite City is a peninsula surrounded by sea, while the three (3) sets of navy blue and light blue and white stripes symbolize the three bays surrounding Cavite City, namely Cañacao, Bacoor and Manila Bay.
REFERENCES
Escalante, E. R. (n.d.). Official Website Of Cavite City - Historical Background. Cavite City. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from http://cavitecity.gov.ph/index.php/about-lgu/historical-background#C
Madrid, D. (n.d.). Official Seal, Flag, and Naga City March – CITY OF NAGA. Naga City. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://www2.naga.gov.ph/nagacity-seal-flag-march/
Senate of the Philippines. (n.d.). Symbols of Authority. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/about/symbols%20of%20authority.asp
City Government of Valenzuela. (n.d.). Official Seal. Valenzuela City Website. https://valenzuela.gov.ph/the_city/official_seal.
Museo Valenzuela. (2013). Valenzuela City Logo. Blogspot. https://museovalenzuela.blogspot.com/?view=magazine&m=1.
Provincial Government of Bohol. (2022, June 01). The Provincial Flag of Bohol. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20070408042959/http://www.bohol.gov.ph/pseal.html