John Rafael Flores Guce was born and raised in Lipa City, Batangas. He completed his elementary education at Canossa Academy, Lipa City and secondary at the St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary, Lipa City. The Armiger then earned a Bachelor degree in Classical Philosophy from the St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary, Lipa City, as well as units in education from San Pablo Colleges. He has worked in De La Salle Lipa as an educator, Discipline Officer, and Campus Minister.

Description and symbolism:

The trillium is a symbol of the Holy Trinity, and represents the bearer’s trust and faith in the Providence of the Triune God. The crossed arrows allude to St. Sebastian, the Titular Patron of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Lipa, the bearer’s hometown.

The broken chevron is taken from a coat of arms historically associated with the de La Salle family name and commonly used by educational institutions named in honor of St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. It is used here as a tribute to the Lasallian tradition, which the bearer is proud to be a part of as an educator and formator. The laurel leaves symbolize the bearer’s zeal for excellence and the bearer’s educational background as a Philosophy graduate, also the vision of being led to that fides quaerens intellectum.

The eight-pointed star is a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary and serves as the Armiger’s star of faith. The phoenix is symbol of renewal and hope amidst all adversity.

Blazon: Shield: Per chevron Azure and Gules, a chevron disjoint Argent charged with two laurel branches Proper, between in chief two arrows in saltire points upwards Argent armed and tipped Or surmounted by a trillium Argent seeded and leaved Or and in base a mullet of eight points above a phoenix Argent issuant from flames Or.

Motto: Sic itur ad astra, excelsior (“Such is the way to the stars, ever upwards”).

Assumed/granting authority: Assumed, November 25, 2024. Registered, Philippine Armorial, December 2, 2024.

Image and information submitted by the Armiger.