Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque

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Diocesan Seal

Bishop's Coat of Arms

• The Cross – The cross is traditionally an element in most episcopal coats of arms. The Episcopal ministry is always Jesus' ministry and the bishop is only a servant of Jesus, collaborating in His ministry.
• The Staff with lilies – The staff is traditionally the symbol of the pastoral authority of the bishop. The lilies denote St. Joseph, patron of the seminary from which the bishop had had his formation. The bishop envisions his pastoral role as patterned after St. Joseph himself, who acted in a fatherly manner to Jesus, who was entrusted to him and Mary by the heavenly Father.
• The Crown with an "M" – Mary is hailed as Queen in Heaven. But she exercises her queenship as a mother to her children entrusted to her by God. Moreover, Mary is the patroness of Parañaque, venerated under the title Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Palanyag, the first city of the diocese.
• The Bamboo Organ – The Bamboo Organ is an internationally acclaimed musical instrument currently housed in the Parish of St. Joseph. This symbolizes the second city under the bishop's pastoral administration – the city of Las Piñas.
• The small mountain near a body of water – This is the symbol of the third city under the pastoral care of the bishop, namely, Muntinlupa City.
• The Motto – "CONFIRMA FRATRES TUOS" – Taken from the gospel of Luke 22:32 wherein Jesus expressed his hope that after Peter's denial and subsequent conversion, he is commanded to strengthen his brethren.
• The color schemes – Green refers us to St. Joseph whose fatherly care to the Holy Family earned him the title patron of the Universal Church. The blue field on the other hand, refers us to Mary, who, given to the care of Joseph, conceived the child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. The movement from dark to bright as seen in the area of Muntinlupa is the hope that through the bishop's humble ministry, the "dawn from on high will come upon us all" in the diocese.