Elpidio P. Mayo was born to a Chinese-Filipino family from the Province of Capiz. He migrated in his teenage years to the island of Negros to seek personal independence and better opportunities. He worked part-time to pay for his high school education in the Negros Occidental High School and for his Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Law at the Silliman University.

Fighting as guerilla unit leader with the rank of sergeant under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East, under the guidance of the military attache to Negros and Siquijor Island Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Sr., he participated in the siege of Patag ending with the surrender of the Japanese forces. Resigning from the USAFFE, he became a commissioned police officer and rose to the rank of Police Colonel before his retirement.

Description and symbolism:

The design incorporates three floral symbols. The sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines, representing his Filipino heritage. The plum blossom is the national flower of the Republic of China, symbolizing his Chinese heritage. The yew tree reflects the origins of the Mayo surname (Maigh Eo) and the Irish heritage of the first Mayo patriarch, a soldier in the British East India Company who settled in the Province of Batangas.

The chevron, a shape commonly used in armed forces ranks, harkens to his military profession and being a war veteran. The three diamonds refer to his commission as a Police Colonel, commonly depicted as a grouping of three insignia; in the Irish style, they also recall the heritage of the family patriarch.

The colors red, white, and blue are derived from the colors of the flag of the Republic of China.

On the crest, the bald eagle symbolizes his service to the American flag. The golden fasces recalls his police service, the fasces being the primary symbol of the now defunct Philippine Constabulary.

Blazon: Shield: Per chevron Azure and Gules on a chevron Argent three lozenges quartered with triple knots Vert between in chief dexter a sampaguita blossom leafed, in sinister a plum blossom all Argent, in base a yew tree Proper.

Crest: A bald eagle displayed wings elevated Proper grasping by the dexter claws a fasces Or.

Motto: Ní neart go cur le chéile (“There’s no strength without unity”)

Assumed/granting authority: Assumed and attributed posthumously to the Armiger by the Armiger’s grandson, August 8, 2021. Registered, Philippine Armorial, August 12, 2021.

Information and image submitted by the Armiger’s grandson.