THE BEAM IN OUR EYE

Описание: The Beam in Our Eye is a thematic song inspired by the 2022–2028 focus of the United Evangelical Mission. The lyrics were written by Rev. Jurcelyn Astudillo, Head of the UEM
Regional Office Asia (Pematangsiantar/Indonesia), while the music was composed by Dr. Jean Cuanan-Nalam of the Silliman University Divinity School. The composition intentionally prioritizes accessibility and strong congregational singability, enabling communities to proclaim the theme together in song.

The musical arrangement was crafted by Dennis Noel de Lara, faculty member of the Silliman University College of Engineering and Design and a student in the Associate of Liturgy and Music program. His arrangement grew organically from the composer’s original melodic and harmonic impulses—first shared through her sung and embodied interpretation in the Divinity School music room. Much of the scoring was completed during a season of personal trial, in the quiet solitude of sleepless nights, lending the music a depth of devotion and resilience.

To foreground Asia’s rich musical heritage, the arrangement features indigenous instruments: the kubing (Jew’s harp), tambol (drum), and tagungguan (hanging gongs) representing the Philippines, alongside the angklung of Indonesia. These were performed by Ugkat, an ensemble of the Divinity School dedicated to promoting indigenous instruments in Christian worship. The lead singers are both students of the Divinity School; their costumes likewise reflect diverse Asian attire. The vocal quintet is composed of an alumna, a current student, and faculty members of the Liturgy and Music program.

With the exception of professional videographers from Beetzee, the entire production team consisted of volunteer students, faculty, and staff of the Divinity School. Filming took place across iconic landmarks of Silliman University:
• Silliman University Church – A historic sanctuary at the heart of the campus, where faith, music, and scholarship converge in worship and reflection.
• Silliman University Amphitheater – An open-air cultural venue that gathers the Silliman community for performances, ceremonies, concerts, and outdoor worship.
• Divinity School Labyrinth – A sacred walking path designed for prayerful reflection, spiritual grounding, and contemplative journeying.

Together, these elements embody a collaborative, intercultural offering of music and ministry from the Silliman community to the wider UEM fellowship. Praise be to God for the gift of people, music, and the living heritage of Asian indigenous instruments!