Diocesan Arms
BLASON:
Party per fess, in chief Or two arrows in saltire points to chief Gules debruised by a Latin cross clechée Argent, in base Azure a church on a knoll Vert parted by a pale wavy Or between in dexter a tree and in sinister a sugarcane stalk all Proper.
DESCRIPTION:
The two red crossed arrows debruised by an upright Latin cross are symbols of St. Sebastian, martyr, patron of the diocese and the titular of the cathedral. At base the cathedral of Bacolod on a hill and a sugarcane stalk with vegetation to depict the major industry of Negros Occidental. The hill where the cathedral stands is called bakólod in Hiligaynon, in which the name of the city of Bacolod is derived.
(Adapted from the explanation given by + MARIANO A. MADRIAGA, D.D., Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. “The Coats-of-Arms of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions in the Philippines: Part III. Visayas and Mindanao,” Philippine Studies 6, no. 2 (1958): 165–173. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42719371)
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FIRST BISHOP OF BACOLOD
Casimiro Magbanua Lladoc
(June 23, 1933 - September 22, 1951)
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SECOND BISHOP OF BACOLOD
Manuel Porcia Yap
(March 5, 1952 - October 16, 1966)
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THIRD BISHOP OF BACOLOD
Antonio Yapsutco Fortich
(January 13, 1967 Appointed - January 31, 1989)
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FOURTH BISHOP OF BACOLOD
Camilo Diaz Gregorio
(May 20, 1989 - August 28, 2000)
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FIFTH BISHOP OF BACOLOD
Vicente Macanan Navarra
(May 24, 2001 - May 24, 2016)
DESCRIPTION:
RIGHT UPPER PORTION: Against the blue background, which symbolizes the great filial devotion of the Bishop to Mary, the Mother of God and of the Church, the SEAL of the Venerable Order of the Discalced Carmelites is printed because the Bishop is a Carmelite Tertiary member.
LOWER RIGHT PORTION: Against a red field, which symbolizes the blood of martyrdom are the instruments of torture symbolic of St. Vincent of Zarragoza, Deacon and Martyr, the namesake and the patron Saint of the Bishop, and also of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin Martyr, who is the Patroness of Mambusao, Capiz, the birthplace of the Bishop. The plan depicts the martyr's victory over the pagan world.
MOTTO: "ADSUM" - "HERE I AM" (Samuel 3:4-8) These were the words that the boy Samuel answered to the Voice Who called him three times in his sleep. Each time, he thought it as the high priest Eli who was calling him. But, it turned out to be the Lord God Who had a message for His people Israel.
The Bishop, conscious of his unworthiness and knowing the great responsibility of his call to the Episcopate, answered HERE I AM only after much prayers, discernment and above all with full confidence in God who will never abandon those who trust in Him.
"ADSUM" -"HERE I AM, SEND ME!" (Isaiah 6:8) Once determined to take the Lord as his allotted portion, (Psalm 16:5) the Bishop utters these words of Isaiah as his generous response to his high calling inspite of the challenges and struggles he will have to face and tackle to spread the message of the Lord to His people.
For it is only when one is full of love and trust in the Lord that one can fully say: LORD, HERE I AM TO ANSWER YOUR CALL.
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SIXTH BISHOP OF BACOLOD
Patricio Abella Buzon, S.D.B.
(May 24, 2016 - Present)
DESCRIPTION:
RIGHT TOP PORTION: The green shamrock is the symbol which St. Patrick, patron of Ireland and namesake of the bishop, used to teach about the Trinity, the source of every communion (NMI, 42)
RIGHT MIDDLE PORTION: The acronym MAC stands for Maria Auxilium Christianorum (Mary Help of Christians), Patroness the Salesian Society to which the bishop belongs; to her he entrust his life and ministry.
RIGHT BOTTOM PORTION: The Cross of Magellan is a landmark of Cebu, the birthplace of the bishop.
MOTTO: ADVENIAT REGNUM TUUM (Thy kingdom come), taken from the Our Father, is the prayer and program of the bishop for himself and for the diocese.