How we do the handmime

It's this time of the year again. TRP (Tao Rin Pala) is fast approaching. Held every December, it's the biggest show in the UP College of Medicine, featuring talents otherwise repressed by the daily grind of med school life.

For the past years, Agape has been doing handmimes. Those peformances have become the org's signature, for lack of a better term, because no other organization has attempted to do them, at least to my knowledge.

Last year, Agape did "He Opens a Window," a song from the musical, Joseph The Dreamer. In 2008, it was "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns. In 2009, it was "All For Love" by Hillsong. You can watch them in YouTube.

Those handmime presentations have been avenues to minister God's message to the professors, students, and staff of the College. Music and songs can only go so far, of course, but who are we to limit the Lord in His ability to move in the hearts of the listeners?

This year we continue the tradition. Our song is "Welcome to Our World" by Chris Rice. It's a beautiful song, full of vivid imagery, and faithful to the Biblical witness of Christ's birth.

Meanwhile, let me share some photos from our most recent practices to give you a feel of how we do it.

We start by making the skeletal framework of the desired illustration.



Necessary adjustments are made.



If all goes well, the performers take to heart their specific relative hand positions.



So much hand twisting is done, of course, and the discomfort is part of the fun.



I'd like to share a part of the exhortation I gave the Fellowship on November 21, just before we started practicing.

As we prepare for our presentation, let us remember the following:

First, that we are God's people. We belong to God's chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and we are God's own special people. This is our identity, and our story is that we've been called out of darkness into His marvelous light—thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary (1 Peter 2:9-10). This is what people should know about us.

Second, that, as God's people, we are called to proclaim His name. We honor and magnify God's name as we come to practices on time and participate actively without complaining. We give God the glory when we ask for His enabling. We honor God when we enjoy our practices. We also proclaim His name through the message we will give. We want to maximize our presentation to include as much of the gospel as we can. We want our presentation to help draw people to a saving knowledge of Christ, and to encourage other believers to keep on.

Finally, that, as God's people, our goal is not to be the best presentor among the rest of the organizations. It is not to compete against them or to outperform them. Our goal is to give our best for the Lord. So together let us lift this activity up in prayer. And with hearts directed to our Savior, let us, together, handmime our praises to the One who deserves all the honor, glory, and praise. 

Many thanks to Abby Ortal, Jana Mier, Pito Magno, and Aeron dela Cruz for helping with the choreography. Special thanks goes to Bryan Mesina for suggesting the song, arguably his favorite.

We covet your prayers as we polish our performance. TRP will be held this Friday, December 2, at the Fleur de Lis Auditorium of St. Paul's University, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila. See you there.