Ecclesiastical museum in Aklan celebrates Cardinal Sin’s legacy

NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan- “My duty is to put Christ in politics. Politics without Christ is the greatest scourge of the nation.”

These words, attributed to the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, are inscribed on one of the walls of Museo Kardinal, the ecclesiastical museum in Aklan.

The museum, located in the house where Sin grew up in New Washington town, was formally opened to the public on Sunday, September 1. The blessing was made on Saturday, August 31, in time for Cardinal Sin’s 96th birthday.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Catholic archbishop of Manila, the project was an initiative of the Catholic Diocese of Kalibo in coordination with the Serviam Foundation.

Cardinal Sin played a crucial role in the 1986 People Power Revolution, which ousted the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines. His call for non-violent resistance mobilized millions to rally at EDSA, a turning point in Philippine history.

Sin was born on August 31, 1928, in New Washington. He passed away on June 21, 2005, due to complications from diabetes.

During the unveiling and blessing of the museum, Juan Delan Lopez Romillios, former vice commissioner for cultural heritage of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA), described Cardinal Sin as a true servant of the Filipino people.

“I was 18 when I heard Cardinal Sin’s voice on the radio, urging Filipinos to go to EDSA, pray the rosary, and use peaceful means to change the political situation. He would later be historically recognized as one of the architects of the People Power movement,” Romillios said.

He said Cardinal Sin’s motto, serviam – Latin for “I will serve” – embodies a service marked by appropriateness, decency, and discretion in our decisions and actions.

“He encourages us to do what is right even when it’s unpopular, to act justly even when no one is watching,” Romillios added.

The Reverend Father Justy More, project coordinator and chair of the Historical Research and Cultural Council, said the idea of converting Sin’s house into a museum was first presented to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, a protege of the late cardinal.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Previous versions of this article mentioned the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The CBCP was not involved in building Museo Kardinal. This has been corrected.

More noted that Villegas gave his consent and humorously suggested that a “good cup of coffee” should be served at the museum.

As a result, Cafe Latte, a premier coffee shop in Aklan, will serve visitors to the museum.

New Washington Mayor Jessica Panambo, inspired by Cardinal Sin’s unifying influence, expressed her hope to replicate the late archbishop’s ability to unite people in her own town. – Rappler.com