Monday, August 27, 2007

TOP OFFICIALS TO GRACE AKLAN RITES FOR CARDINAL SIN

Senate President Manny Villar, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, other top officials and dignitaries of the government, Roman Catholic Church and private sectors are attending the unveiling and blessing of the towering statue of Jaime L. Cardinal Sin which coincides with his birth 79th anniversary on Friday, Aug. 31 in New Washington, Aklan.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to attend the inagural and commemorative event meant to perpetuate the memory and legacy of Cardinal Sin.

Already, cabinet members like Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral, and Labor Secretary Art Brion have confirmed their attendance.

Also joining Senate President Manny Villar and House Speaker de Venecia are Oriental Mindoro Congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia, chairman of the committee on housing and Partylist Representative Teddy Casino, whose mother hails from Aklan.

National Historical Institute Chairman Ambeth Ocampo will preside over the unveiling of the historical marker as part of the installation rites of the late Manila Archbishop statue erected at the public plaza of his birth place while Postmaster General and CEO Hector R.R Villanueva is participating in the event to look into the possibility of expanding the commemorative stamps for Cardinal Sin.

The historical marker, which also acknowledges the shared efforts of those responsible for the erection of the statue, is the government’s official recognition of the monument as part of the country’s history.

Donated by Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, the Cardinal’s long-time friend, the towering brass monument is sculpted by the Castrillo brothers and sons and designed by One Design Consultancy Corporation, headed by Ralph Tecson and Glen Manzanares.

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