Source: NHCP (National Historical Commission of the Philippines) approved AFP
Seal as of September 2018
The AFP coat of arms we use today serves as the heraldic bearing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is the organization’s identity that was crafted and systematically considered, selected, arranged and designed based on the rich accounts of the force’s history.
From the bold Battle of Mactan up to the modern war our soldiers faced, their heroic memories are represented in each symbol. These symbols tell stories of gallantry, sacrifice and love for country.
The AFP Coat of Arms today, used since 1955, validated the endeavors of our past and present soldiers.
The Heraldry’s History
Before the Armed Forces was established, our heroes have already formed the secret society of the Kataastaasang Kagalang-Kagalang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayanor the “Katipunan” in 1892 to revolt against the three-century Spaniard colonization by means of an armed struggle.
As an organization, the Katipuneros are categorized as a Katipon, Kawal or Bayani. Symbols placed on their hoods, armbands and patches corresponds to their particular ranks in the Katipunan Army.
Part of it is the use of an official seal and coat of arms to identify members of the Katipuan. From 1892 to 1897, the “Light of Liberty” seal was used. The Katipunan coat of arms depicts an eight-rayed sun that has a Baybayin “KA” script in the middle. It is translated as “K” in tagalog, that stands for “Katipunan” and the principal endeavor of the force for “Kalayaan”.
The Katipunan coat of arms
After the long armed conflict between the Katipunan and the Spaniards that led to the loss of lives of the many Katipuneros, the Philippines was finally freed from the Spaniard colonization on June 12, 1898.
Fast forward to 1935, from the Revolutionary Army, the Philippine Commonwealth Army was created under the Commonwealth Act No. 1 to establish a national defense for the Philippines.
In 1947, the Philippine Commonwealth Army was reorganized as the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The AFP first adopted an American colonial themed coat of arms with its elements in gold color.
The three stars is positioned over the American Bald Eagle that holds on its beak a scroll with “REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES” inscription. The right talon of the eagle is holding an olive branch with eight leaves and eight fruits indicating peace. The left talon is grasping three spears that represents war. The eagle’s head is turned towards the olive branch to signify its preference for peace. The AFP coat of arms made use the national coat of arms on its center.
The AFP first adopted an American colonial themed coat of arms with its elements in gold color.
The AFP coat of arms was modified because of the redundancy of the designs already existing in the national coat of arms such as the mullet or five pointed stars and the American eagle. A committee created by Lt. Gen. Jesus Vargas, 1954 AFP Chief of Staff, conducted a study to identify a design that will truly express national symbolism; portray national tradition and sentiment; and naturally and logically appropriate.
After a series of careful review and study, President Ramon Magsaysay approved the new design of the Coat of Arms together with the rank insignias of the AFP on 1955. On the first day of September 1955, the AFP coat of arms was officially used up to this day.
AFP coat of arms
The inspiration behind the new Coat of Arms Symbols
The symbolic triangle represents the Company Grade Officers in the force. The figure of the symbol originated from Katipunan’s enlistment system called the “Hasik” or Triangle method wherein two new adherents will be recruited by one Katipunan member therefore creating a network of triangles.
Source: http://malacanang.gov.ph/4304-the-founding-of-the-katipunan/
The symbol of triangle is also significant among the Katipunero’s garments and medallions that categorizes their ranks.
A triangle shaped white ribbon with Z., Ll., and B. inside it and is marked over a black hood is worn by a Katipon or Member.
Source: http://malacanang.gov.ph/4304-the-founding-of-the-katipunan
On the other hand, a triangle with the same letters on each angle that is placed on a green hood is the Kawal or Soldier’s attire. He also wears a triangular medallion with ancient Tagalog script engraved in the middle.
Source: http://malacanang.gov.ph/4304-the-founding-of-the-katipunan/
A white triangle containing K., K., K., Zz., LI., and B. on a red mask is the Bayani or Patriot’s head cover.
Source: http://malacanang.gov.ph/4304-the-founding-of-the-katipunan/
The eight rayed sun symbol represents the Field Grade Officers. The symbol’s position over the triangle symbolizes the higher rank of the Field Grade Officers hold over the Company Grade Officers.
It was inspired by the iconic sun of the Philippine Flag. The eight rays stands for the eight provinces that first revolted against the Spanish government – Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas.
The three stars, which are placed on top of the coat of arms, represents the Star Rank Officers who have the highest command among the Company and Field Grade Officers.
The three stars were also inspired from the national flag that represented the three major islands of the Philippines, according to Proclamation of Independence in 1898, the symbols stood for Luzon, Panay and Mindanao.
But before the proclamation, the symbols were already used in the Battle of Alapan on May 28, 1898 when the Filipino force fought against the Spanish troops in Alapan, Cavite.
Patriot’s Emblems
The Baybayin script “ ”which is sometimes mistaken as letter I or letter H, is actually a Baybayin script that stands for letter “K” in Tagalog - the initial letter of the Katipunan. Even before colonization, our Filipino ancestors have been practicing the Baybayin writing system as a means of passing down information from generation to generation in preserving the stories of the ancient Filipino communities.
Filipinos practice a culture of offering a flowers garland to honor a guest. On one hand, devout Filipinos adorn their saints with flowers, specifically with Sampaguita. In the same way, the Sampaguita garland on the AFP coat of arms is a symbol to honor our country’s peace keepers.
The blue scroll which is sometimes mistaken as a ribbon, is simply used to bear the Philippine government’s identity being an independent nation.
Rank Insignias in the Army
All the symbols present in the AFP’s Coat of Arms are also used in the Rank Insignias of the officers and enlisted personnel in the military.
Company Grade officers whose rank is 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant or Captain hold the triangle with the Baybayin “ ” inside as their rank insignia. For Field Grade Officers ranked Major, Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel use the symbol for their insignia is the sun. Star Ranked officers Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General or General use the star symbol. Enlisted personnel insignia use a triangle. The increase in the number of triangles, suns, or star ranks of the officers represents their rise in rank. The Enlisted Personnel’s triangle rank insignia stacks up and is accented with bars below as they get promoted.
In the Philippine Army, the Sampaguita symbol can also be found on an officer’s Service Cap (Pershing Cap). As the officer reaches a higher rank, a blooming Sampaguita is embroidered on the Service Cap to symbolize the officer’s corresponding rise in rank.
Soldiers who use and wear the AFP coat of arms does not only symbolize the patriotism of our countrymen but also the battles that liberated our nation. Being a heraldry bearer means upholding the mandate to defend the national sovereignty and safeguard peace among the Filipinos.
The symbols of the AFP coat of arms may seem ordinary in a glimpse of an eye, but the emblem points us to the rich past of our country’s defense force. Knowing the story behind each of these heraldic symbols, generation after generation, is an act of honoring the priceless efforts of heroes.
References:
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