The
coat of arms consists of a shield with the heraldic processional
cross, a staff and a miter which are symbols of the bishop. On the
right portion of the shield, is the chalice of wine with the Sacred
Host -- symbol of the Holy Eucharist. The host bears the Lord's
monogram in old Greek letters IHC (Greek letters for JES), C was
the original form for S in Greek.
The
stars with the letter M and two waves represent the Blessed Virgin
Mary as the star of the sea, in whose hands the Diocese of Alaminos
is entrusted. Blue is also the symbol of Mary and the sea on the
one side of the diocese.
Cattle
rising, salt making, farming, and fishing are the primary sources
of livelihood of the people. The many islands, especially the world
renowned Hundred Islands give beauty and fame to the place. Green
is a symbol of life and the mountains on the other side of the diocese.
The
hand is a symbol of human effort and of the people reaching out
to God and to one another in this mountainous portion of Pangasinan.
It also symbolizes St. Joseph, the Patron of the Diocese, holding
his symbolic staff and lilies -- a man who worked with his hands,
a reminder of the dignity of work.
The
bamboo fences stands for Mangaldan where the Bishop comes. The etymology
of the town's appellation is derived from the root word "Alar"
or, as other Pangasinenses would have it pronounced, "Alad"
which is interposed between the particles "Mang" and "An".
"Alad" signifies a palisade, or a fence made of bamboo.
Mangaldan existed as a ranch in its beginnings, hence the copious
presence of bamboo fences.
Three
red roses surmount the fence, symbol of the Blessed Virgin called
in the litany, "Mystical Rose". The choice for roses comes
from the fact that roses in midwinter was the sign given by Our
Lady of Guadalupe whose feast is on December 12, the Bishop's birthday,
to convince the bishop of the veracity of Juan Diego's statement
that she wants to tell the churchman to build a church on the site
of her apparition.
The
motto: "…UT OMNES UNUM SINT…"
(THAT ALL MAY BE ONE). It is a call not only for
ecumenism but for all Christians to be united as brothers in Christ
and all peoples as children of the same Heavenly Father.
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