Remembering the living legend Cardinal Sin

Jose Ma. Montelibano, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Asia News Network, Manila

To many, Jaime Cardinal Sin has been like a legend. To some, he was a friend, a patron, a counselor. To a few, particularly those whom he helped remove from power, he was the representation of the very name he carried.

I met the good cardinal only after he had been afflicted with his kidney ailment, which forced him to go into dialysis. Even then, he could still manage to be feisty. I wonder how he was when he was much healthier. I can only recall what was said of him during martial law, when he dared to displease the dictatorial tenants of Malacaqang.

In the context of the Philippines, one cannot help but admire a senior Catholic Church prelate who dares to publicly take an opposite view as that of his counterpart in the State. Jaime Cardinal Sin will go down in history as someone who did it twice, and with a flair that astounds. Go to EDSA, he twice said, and twice sitting presidents fell in a matter of days.

We may have liked the cardinal, or resented him for intervening in political affairs. Our sentiments towards Cardinal Sin, however, are far less significant that his natural feel for crisis politics and his utterly keen sense of timing. Whatever side of the fence we were, in critical times, Cardinal Sin was not only on the right side but defined what was right.

Cardinal Sin was not always accurate, especially about choosing candidates for president. He lost elections but won revolutions. I wonder if it is an omen, if Cardinal Sin's death also pre-empted a third successful EDSA People Power revolution. I wonder if the winning franchise died with him.

During the several visits I had to Villa San Miguel where Cardinal Sin lived, I had occasion to see the man up close. I always came with a group called the Council on Philippine Affairs, or COPA, an often controversial organization which was born in the same villa and whose honorary chairman was the Cardinal himself. In July of 1999, the COPA papers of registration were signed by its founders in the presence of the cardinal. In quick succession, however, COPA's two most senior members, Teddy Benigno and Jaime Cardinal Sin, passed away a month from one another.

Being with a living legend during these visits revealed to me the human-ness of a bigger-than-life person. The cardinal always loved a good joke, and laughter must have been second nature to him. Devotion to the Blessed Mother was his primary trait, however. Despite the fact that none of us were particularly religious, Cardinal Sin often mentioned that we pray to the Blessed Mother for intercession and mediation. He was absolutely convinced that the Blessed Mother would always protect and help the Philippines in times of danger.

I would remember those visits to the Cardinal because he would always give us bottles of brandy of a particular brand. The Cardinal loved good food and good wine, perhaps an indulgence that he paid dearly for later in life when his kidneys weakened until dialysis became necessary. A few years ago, he gave us personally signed copies of his autobiography, as well as a table clock with Pope John Paul's image on it. Cardinal Sin was fond of giving his visitors something to remind them of their visits to him, but it was his laughter that I remember best of all.

Even his ailment, however, could not dampen his spirit for long. Cardinal Sin insisted on being wired to the more important developments of Philippine society. The visitors who poured into his office almost always had private information to offer him, and the cardinal was not shy in encouraging his visitors to keep sharing information and insights with him. In just a few visits, I knew then that the cardinal was a praying person -- and also a most practical one.

Pastor "Boy" Saycon was a favorite visitor who regaled the cardinal with juicy tidbits of political events and personalities. Boy, too, shared the gift of humor and laughter, and rich, tasty food, with the good cardinal. Among COPA members, it will be Boy who will miss Cardinal Sin the most.

The most memorable advice that I heard from him was one he gave to COPA in general and Peping Cojuangco in particular. It was during the tumultuous period of street protests and impeachment hearings during the last weeks of the Estrada presidency. The cardinal was hosting a luncheon for COPA, his way of combining good food with good and exciting conversation. When Peping mentioned in exasperation that we were doing everything that was required but the battle was not yet won, Cardinal Sin replied, "Peping, leave something for God to do."

Perhaps, Jaime Cardinal Sin was a man who had a deep faith. Perhaps, Jaime Cardinal Sin was a man with great courage. Perhaps, Jaime Cardinal Sin was a politician as much as he was a priest. Indeed, Jaime Cardinal Sin was many things to many people, just like other human beings to their friends and foes. But Jaime Cardinal Sin was a man of history, not just because he was there, but because he took part in shaping it.

Many good things, and a few bad ones, will be said about Jaime Cardinal Sin. That is the fate of people who make a difference -- that their actions reverberate beyond their lifetimes. I cannot say I agreed with all he said, with all he did. In the end, though, one thing is sure. Jaime Cardinal Sin loved his God and served Him faithfully, loved the Catholic Church and served her faithfully. And you can take that to the bank.