Donyell Pobre Speech 30

2015-04347 November 2, 2019

Book Review of ​The Rhetorics of Sin​ by Mary Jannette L. Pinzon

“Ideas shape the course of history.” This is a famous quote by John Keynes that I
encountered in my Economics class. In Professor Pinzon’s book ​The Rhetorics of Sin,
the Late Jaime Cardinal Sin’s ideas were not the only factors in shaping history during
the Marcos era but more importantly, it was how he delivered his ideas within the
exigential flow through his rhetoric act.
The book recounts the events during the dark times of Marcos’ regime to the
post-EDSA Revolution and conveyed how Cardinal Sin became a moral guardian to the
Filipino mass. It analyzed how Sin’s speeches influenced the Filipino people as well as
the political environment through a framework of historical configuration. Through this
discussion of historical configuration and exigential flow, it provided an explication on
the issue of whether the Cardinal Sin violated the constitutional provision of separation
of Church and State in the Philippines.
Reading the book, it became evident to me how difficult Sin’s responsibility is as
he assumed the role of a “shepherd guiding his flock”. With fear spreading in the
streets, he became the light that everybody could rely and depend on or as Professor
Pinzon put it ​“a voice in the wilderness”. ​With moral authority, he was the one who
mediated both sides as he called for a “Revolution of Love”. The book emphasized how
Sin was clever in dealing with powerful government officials. He was cautious in his
delivery of message avoiding mentioning of names of people he criticized. He veiled his
speeches as the meaning was hidden between the lines. Being a man of peace and
reconciliation, he dealt with the anger of the oppressed with his speeches as he
channeled their rage into the peaceful revolution. Case in point, the book showed how
excellent Cardinal Sin’s rhetoric is. Just like in a battle movie wherein a special weapon
is featured, the book highlighted how Cardinal Sin intelligently used his rhetoric to fight
the exigency of the situation.
In answering the question of Sin’s act as a violation of the separation of state, it
is reiterated throughout the book how the Cardinal differentiated separation to isolation.
In supporting this argument, Cardinal Sin assumed the persona of being a
compensatory incorruptible having moral authority. He further states that Church
leaders had a right to speak should a sociopolitical order touch issues of moral nature.
The answer to the question was exquisitely done as points of arguments were
introduced gradually every chapter. The beauty of the book can be seen in how it
discusses the rhetorics of Cardinal Sin while answering the Separation of Church and
State question. Although it was not directly stated, the book implied that Cardinal didn’t
violate the provision utilizing his speeches. In a sense, the book is informational with a
little factor of persuasion.
The book also made me realize the power of rhetoric. The historical configuration
framework can be used to study other leader’s rhetoric in their own respective exigential
flow. While reading the ​Rhetorics of Sin,​ I was also studying for PI 100, a course
studying the life and works of Jose Rizal. I perceived how Rizal also had a rhetorical
urgency that he addressed with his own kind of rhetoric. Rizal, a liberalist, saw the
exigency of his motherland as his fellow Filipinos were oppressed under the Spanish
rule. As direct criticism of the government is an act of rebellion during those times, Rizal
had to settle with concealing his rhetorical acts in his literary works. Through these
works, he instilled nationalism into the hearts of the Filipino. The only main difference
between the two is how Cardinal Sin had a moral authority which he utilized as his
rhetorical persona to deliver his speeches.
Reading the book has made me think of how history is filled with rhetorical acts
and exigencies. As stated by Professor Pinzon in the introduction of the book, “Ours is a
rhetorical world”. Readers would find the historical configuration framework to be useful
when studying other leaders and their impact on history.
 The ​Rhetorics of Sin ​is also a good piece to read regarding the Martial Law
period. Not being born during the Marcos’ era, I was not fully aware of what really
transpired during those dark times. All I know is what was published in news articles
and magazines, all of which could have been biased and prejudiced with the exclusion
of accounts on human rights violations and economic blunders of the Marcos’ regime.
There are many misconceptions regarding the Marcos Martial Law. Until now, I always
thought it was only Benigno Aquino’s death and Cory’s election that ultimately saved the
Philippines. The book serves as a way for the youth to know of Cardinal Sin and his role
in making the People Power Revolution possible.
Our society today is faced with national issues. The Duterte administration has
met both praise and criticism. This has divided the Filipinos into factions and in times
like this, we instinctively rely on someone to guides us through these hardships. As
exigencies arise, we need someone to be the new Cardinal Sin.