The Bishop's Coat-of-Arms

The Cross

The black and white cross of the Order of Preachers on top of the shield serves as a reminder of the priestly formation which Bishop Sergio L. Utleg received from the Dominicans at St. Vincent Institute in Solana and the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary.

The Shield

The blue wavy line parting the shield represent the Cagayan River, on whose banks the Bishop grew up and worked, which empties into the Babuyan Channel near Aparri, his last parish assignment; the white dove on a gold background symbolizes the Spirit of freedom; gold stands for nobility and power, white for purity and humility; both are Papal colors. The blue fleur de lis represent Our Blessed Mother of Piat, the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao and of the Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc, the patroness of the Diocese of Laoag; the red Alpha and Omega symbolize the ever-burning Truth; the Green background is the symbol of life and hope. The sheep symbolizes Jesus Christ, watching His flock on the Cordilleras and the rivers that nourishes the Diocese of Laoag to which he is assigned.

The Motto

The Bishop’s motto is ‘VERITAS LIBERABIT VOS’ (John 8:32) which means “the truth shall make you free” in accord with the Fifth National Eucharistic Congress and its theme, “The Eucharist and Freedom.”