English: EXPLANATION OF THE COAT OF ARMS OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE MOST REVEREND PEDRO P. SANTOS

FIRST METROPOLITAN BISHOP OF NUEVA CACERES

Two coats quartered in cross; dexter that of the sea, sinister, that of the Archbishop.

1. Arms of the See: On chief azure an open rosebud symbolizing the Blessed Virgin Mary under the invocation of PEÑAFRANCIA, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The blue is cerulean, the color of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Base gold an aureoled eagle clutching a ray of lightning, symbolizing St. John the Evangelist, Patron Saint of the Cathedral Church of Naga, Metropolitan Seat. The ray of lightning would have us reminded of the words of Our Lord to the two sons of Zebedee, "And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and He named them Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder." St. Mark, III, 17.

2. Personal Arms of the Archbishop: On chief gules two crossed keys behind an open book. The keys represent St. Peter, the Prince of Apostles while the open book is the Epistles of St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, both representing the Patron Saints of the Archbishop, Pedro-Pablo. The red background stands for their Apostolic zeal and their martyrdom. On base green a mountain symbolizing Mt. Arayat of Pampanga, birthplace of the Archbishop; the green background stands for the green rolling lands of his home-province. The whole field is quartered by a Greek Cross of silver and the heart is occupied by a fiery red heart topped by a flame of fire and encircled by a green crown of thorns; it symbolizes the Sacred Heart of Jesus to Whom the Archbishop professes a singular devotion.

The motto is an invocation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus found among the Indulgenced Prayers of the Church's Liturgy. Translated it means: "Sacred Heart of Jesus, I (place my) trust in Thee."

- Rev. Fr. Jose N. Belleza

(Source: UST - Miguel de Benavides Library and Archives)