Steve Yambao was born in Arayat, Pampanga and lives in Chino, California. He was educated at Holy Angel University and Mount San Antonio College. He is a member of the Ecclesiastical Section of the Filipino Heraldry Society and the heraldic artist at Gladius Ecclesiastical and Heraldic Arts.

Description and symbolism:

The silver field refers to the Armiger’s 25th year when the armorial achievement was assumed. The blue wave represents Mary, Star of the Sea, specifically the great Pacific that divides two lands: the Philippines, the Armiger’s homeland; and the United States, the Armiger’s residence.

Above all are the three red roses, in reference to the rosary, which traditionally has three sets of mysteries; and also a reference for the three persons of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. Below is a red wreath canting to the Armiger’s given name, Steve or Stephen, which means wreath or crown, and the red for St. Stephen, the protomartyr and the Armiger’s saint’s name. Its placement also refers to the Armiger’s ideal of putting himself last or below others. He is a Third Order Discalced Augustinian (Hermandad de la Correa y de Santa Rita de Cascia, the secular fraternity of the OAD). The Order has a additional fourth vow of humility, apart from the three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience.

The crest is a red griffin: the half winged beast and half lion refers to Christ’s natures as “divine” and “human”. The griffin holds a broken wheel, which recalls the Armiger’s hometown, Arayat, Pampanga which claims St. Catherine of Alexandria as its patron. The sword represents Gladius Ecclesiastical & Heraldic Arts, for which the Armiger is the heraldic artist.

The motto derives from the theme of the crest’s duality. “Fides et virtus” translates into “faith and courage”. The winged beast is faith, and the lion is courage; both are sourced from Christ. St. Catherine’s wheel is faith, nourishment for the Armiger’s early years. The sword is courage, and also reflects the Armiger’s fondness of arms and equipment, and his military orientation and affiliation.

Blazon: Shield: Argent a fess wavy Azure between in chief three roses and in base a wreath Gules.

Crest: A demi-griffin Gules beaked and langued Argent wielding in the dexter claw a sword Argent and in the sinister claw a broken St. Catherine wheel Gules.

Motto: Fides et Virtus (“Faith and Courage”).

Assumed/granting authority: Assumed, December 25, 2021. Registered, Philippine Armorial, January 7, 2022. Replaces arms previously assumed June 2, 2021.

Design and symbolism:

Thunderbolts represent the power of God, most specifically the power that broke St. Catherine’s wheel at the time of her martyrdom. The two lions represent the values of faith and courage, as reflected in the motto. In their regardant pose, turned away from one’s front, the lions’ attitude represents the confidence of faith and courage, that one can safely face away, with God’s reassurance. The three roses represent the three siblings of the Armiger’s family.

Blazon: Shield: Per chevron Gules and Azure, three roses proper on a chevron Argent, between in chief four thunderbolts in saltire between two lions regardant, in base a broken St. Catherine wheel, all Or.

Crest: A dexter arm embowed vambraced Or grasping a sword Argent hilted Or.

Motto: Fides et Virtus (“Faith and Courage”)

Assumed/granting authority: Assumed, June 2, 2021. Registered, Philippine Armorial, July 17, 2021. Replaced with a new assumption, December 25, 2021.

Information and image submitted by the Armiger.