- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Vincent Paul Beswick-Escanlar
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
July 20, 2017
Vol. VI, p. 738
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Gules and Azure a chevron barry wavy Argent and Azure between in chief two suns Or and in base a sword surmounting a balance Or and entwined by a snake Argent;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet of maple leaves and western red lilies Gules, a sea-lion Or winged Gules charged with a Brigid cross Or, holding in its sinister paw a paintbrush and in its dexter paw a quill pen Argent;
Motto
SEEK AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A sword Or hilt Gules entwined by a snake Argent within a vol Gules charged in base with a sun Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The colours are taken from the national flag of the Philippines, the home of Dr. Beswick-Escanlar’s ancestors. The chevron with the billowing pattern represents his mother’s family, who owned a garment factory in Taytay in the Philippines. The triangular shape at the base of the shield evokes a mountain, namely Mount Napulak, the place of origin of his father’s family in the Philippines. The suns are Philippine cultural symbols. The sword entwined by a serpent stands for his career as a military physician. The balance represents his wife’s career as a lawyer.
Crest
The sea-lion is a cultural symbol from the Philippines, and the coronet of maple leaves and prairie lilies marks the fact that Dr. Beswick-Escanlar’s parents settled in Saskatchewan after immigrating. The wings allude to his father-in-law’s American heritage, symbolized by the bald eagle. The St. Brigid’s cross recalls his mother-in-law’s Irish background as well as the family’s Catholic faith. The paintbrush honours the artistic skill of Dr. Beswick-Escanlar’s father, and the quill pen represents the passion his parents-in-law have for writing.
Motto
This phrase is a military principle of leadership that Dr. Beswick-Escanlar often quotes to patients to empower them to improve their own health.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The wings, sword and serpent represent Dr. Beswick-Escanlar’s profession as a flight surgeon. The red colour alludes to his military service for Canada. The sun is a Philippine cultural symbol and refers to his heritage.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 31, 2018, in Volume 152, page 896 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
D. Robert Tunstall
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual