Manila to build 8-foot statue of Cardinal Sin

MANILA, Philippines - An eight-foot bronze statue of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin will be erected beside the monuments of former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. in time for the 25th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution.

CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), reported that a life-size statue of Cardinal Sin would soon be installed at the corner of Padre Burgos Street and Bonifacio Drive, just outside Intramuros.

Manila City Engineer Armando Andres said that they hope to install the statue by Tuesday, three days before the Feb. 25 EDSA Revolution celebration.

“The statue of the former Manila prelate is made by the sculptor Ed Castrillo, who was the same person who did the statue of former President Cory Aquino. We already made the base for the monument and the statue will be delivered on Tuesday,” said Andres.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim reportedly spent P800,000 of his personal money for Sin’s statue. It will be placed behind the two existing statues, facing the Manila Hotel.

Cardinal Sin has been recognized in history as one of the most prominent figures during the EDSA Revolution, which led to the toppling of the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Lim said that apart from the unveiling of Sin’s monument, the city government is also planning to hold a Mass as part of the celebration. He urged everyone to wear yellow, the trademark color of the former President and the protests that led to people power.

Mayor Lim said, “We know that it was Cardinal Sin who called on the public for people power so we are building his statue near the monuments of President Cory and Senator Aquino.”

The Manila Police District, in coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office, will deploy police personnel in the area amid reports of militants who might try to hold protests.

There are also plans to close one northbound lane to motorists.