Mong Palatino

Blogging about the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific since 2004

About

@mongster is a Manila-based activist, former Philippine legislator, and blogger/analyst of Asia-Pacific affairs.

Philippine Town Seals

How to best describe the islands that compose the Philippines? Through tourism slogans? Cultural festivals which have degenerated into commercialized spectacles?

Perhaps a town seal can provide a succinct introduction of our local histories. Reduced into political units, the islands are now more than 80 provinces, 1500 cities and municipalities, and 40000 barangays (villages). Interestingly, each LGU unit has a seal which explains its history, geography, economic profile, and even its vision.

Through town seals, we can acquire instant knowledge, and hopefully better appreciation, of our communities. They were made during the founding of our towns which represent not only the stories and even myths about our past but also the collective aspirations of our people.

Seals are produced and reproduced so that succeeding generations will continue to remember the sacrifice of our ancestors, and more importantly, remind every citizen to take pride in the never-ending duty of community-building and nation-building process.

At a time when depoliticized town rebranding is the trend and when LGU leaders want superficial recognition as advocates of globalism, we need to revisit and re-learn the underappreciated and sometimes forgotten stories and histories of our towns.

In the name of tourism and foreign investments, create global cities. But the transformation of towns should never lead to the abandonment of history, culture, and heritage.

Through this page, I will feature the seals of Philippine towns which I have visited. My aim is to create more interest in our local histories. Enjoy a fascinating ride across the magical and exotic islands of history and time….

Itik-itik sa Pateros

Maria Makiling

Airplane in the land of Atis. Boracay!

Roxas City, Capiz. Seafood capital of PH

Guiguinto, Bulacan

Cityhood anniversary of Muntinlupa

Cityhood anniversary of Muntinlupa

IMG_20140327_075100

Cebu City. Magellan Cross

Navotas

Navotas

Barangay Sto Nino, Marikina City

Barangay Sto Nino, Marikina City

may isda, ibon, kalabaw, at lighthouse sa seal ng taguig

may isda, ibon, kalabaw, at lighthouse sa seal ng taguig

Barangay Alabang. Muntinlupa

Barangay Alabang. Muntinlupa

Valenzuela town seal, lobby of ‘the’ city hall

Valenzuela seal in a fire truck. Saw this one in front of Kentex factory

Valenzuela seal in a fire truck. Saw this one in front of Kentex factory

Bacoor's vision as a highly urbanized city in Cavite

Bacoor’s vision as a highly urbanized city in Cavite

Marikina City. The shoes, factory hub, Rizal highlands, sunrise.

Marikina City. The shoes, factory hub, Rizal highlands, sunrise.

Manila City Hall

Manila City Hall

City Council of Marikina

City Council of Marikina

Balanga Bataan

Balanga Bataan

Cavite. May music note?

Cavite. May music note?

Zamboanga City. vinta, fish, fort

Zamboanga City. vinta, fish, fort

Barangay Tanza, Navotas

Barangay Tanza, Navotas

Quezon City

Quezon City

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Montalban, Rizal. Wawa Dam

Montalban, Rizal. Wawa Dam

Barangay Sta Elena, Marikina

Barangay Sta Elena, Marikina

Talisay City

Talisay City

Bataan province.

Bataan province. Reference to World War II

Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. Giant clams

Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. Giant clams

Tagbilaran, Bohol. Blood compact

Tagbilaran, Bohol. Blood compact

Negros Occidental province

Negros Occidental province

Sorsogon province

Sorsogon province

Pilar, Sorsogon

Donsol, Sorsogon

Donsol, Sorsogon

Baguio City. Pine trees. Zigzag road

Baguio City. Pine trees. Zigzag road

Baler, Aurora. Coconut

Baler, Aurora. Coconut

Barangay 76, Pasay

Barangay 76, Pasay

Santa, Ilocos Sur. Is that ipon fish?

Santa, Ilocos Sur. Is that ipon fish?

Jones, Isabela

Jones, Isabela

South Cotabato province

South Cotabato province

Barangay Luna, Surigao City. airport

Barangay Luna, Surigao City. airport

Cauayan, Negros Occicental

Cauayan, Negros Occicental

Ligao, Albay

Ligao, Albay

Zambales province

Zambales province