OFFICIAL FLAG

Official Flag of Tapaz

DESCRIPTION AND MEANING OF THE NEW FLAG (Designed by Peter Marlon H. Exmundo with inputs from Mayor Romualdo G. Exmundo, Jr., MD, and Mr. Leorico Fundal of SNNHS)

1. Head of a Deer — The head of the Philippine Spotted Deer, a deer that is endemic in Western Visayas, particularly in the central region of Panay Island (but gradually becoming extinct and given by the DENR a conservation status of IUCN (EN)), with the scientific name of Cervus alfredi, has always been the unique symbol of Tapaz. Symbolizing the once rich fauna and wildlife of Tapaz, it also symbolizes the indigenous people and cultural heritage of Tapaz. The head has eight horns, four on each antler. Two of the horns, one on each antler, are small buds. In Chinese Astrology, the deer, being a swift and agile animal, symbolizes better economic growth and opportunities. The number eight symbolizes continuity and prosperity in the Chinese beliefs. The two small developing horns also symbolize growth. The seasonal shedding and regrowing of the antlers symbolize eternity and constant renewal of the municipality towards progress and development. The deer is facing east where the sun rises 2. Stars — The two groups of twenty-nine six-point gold stars parallel to the top and bottom borders symbolizes excellence and the component barangays of the municipality. The circle of Fifty-eight six-point gold stars along the inner border of the seal symbolizes the component barangays of the municipality. The six-point star is also known as the Star of David and by its Jewish Name, Mogen David (Shield of David). Its use in the flag of the municipality is our affirmation of our Christian faith and heritage, considering that Jesus Christ belongs to the house of King David of Israel. The Star of David is also the symbol Judaism, the elder religious brother of Christianity. 3. Golden Laurel Leaves — Beneath the fifty-eight gold stars are two golden laurel branches and a golden camia flower (family = Zingiberaceae, Scientific Name = Hedychium Philippinese) at the center. The design is similar to the laurel branches and camia flower in the seals of the Mayor and Vice Mayor. They represent the local government of Tapaz as well as the national and provincial government agencies operating in the municipality. 4. Caption — A banner with a yellow background and orange border with the Phrase TAPAZ, CAPIZ using the Bangle font is written on it is placed over the head of deer to let everyone knows that this flag belongs to Tapaz. 5. The Green Background — The background symbolizes the farming community, which is the primary source of livelihood in the municipality.

SIZE RATIO: (A) The length of the width should be twice the length of the height for a width-height ratio of 2:1. (B) For a 2 x 1 meter flag, the height and width of the star is 6 cm x 5.3 cm. The distance from the top and bottom edges of the border is 12 cm.; (C) The height of the head of the deer from the tip of the antler to the base of the neck is 33.55 cm and the width from the tip of the nose to the deep of the left ear is 21.45 cm. (D) The height of the antler from the tip to the base on top of the head is 13.71 cm. (E) The length of the snout from the tip of the nose to the corner of the snout and the neck is 8.71 cm. (F) For the golden branches of laurel leaves, the length is 31.13 cm and the width is 6.75 cm. (G) For the banner above the deer, the width is 5.16 cm, the length excluding the side pennants on which is the captions are placed is 31.97 cm, and the total length is 39.03 cm.

OVERALL MEANING OF THE NEW FLAG

THE FLAG OF THE MUNICIPALITY was redesigned to give it more meaning and reflect the identity of the Tapaznons. With the new flag we discarded the traditional and common method of simply placing the seal of an agency or of a local government unit in the middle of a rectangular cloth, place two holes along the left border, and tussles along the perimeter to make an instant flag. Instead, we only use the relevant symbols and strategically arrange them along the banner

Despite of the suggestion of some persons to discard the head of the Philippine Spotted Deer in the design of the new seal and flag as an obsolete emblem and relic of a bygone era and that a new one reflective of contemporary and future generations should be adopted, we have decided to retain it for the relevance of its meaning to our identity as Tapaznons. Its retention is a sign of our respect, linkage with, and honoring our past, our traditions, and our cultural heritage — it should remind us of the words of our National Hero, Jose Rizal, when he said “Ang Taong Hindi Marunong Lumingon sa Kanyang Pinanggalingan ay Hindi Makakarating sa Kanyang Paroroonan” — and as a reminder to us of our once pristine and lush flora and fauna. However, we accommodated the suggestions of some notable persons to redesign it to make look more like the deer in our hinterlands. Together with the meaning of the symbolism of the deer, by redesigning it and adding other emblems to it to enrich its meaning, we are also signifying our desire for change and to move forward towards progress and development.

The government/public service/sector, the community/barangays and our Christian faith and heritage, and our principal means of livelihood/the private sector, symbolized by the laurel leaves and camia flower, the stars, and the background, respectively refers to us collectively as Tapaznons.

The banner with the caption “Tapaz, Capiz” crowns the flag, because it symbolizes our pride to be part of the Municipality of Tapaz, in the Province of Capiz and to be called Tapaznons and Capiznons.