Since this video was posted by Sony Pictures DVD on January 22; it has been viewed as of this date by 1,126,284 viewers. While it may take some time till it reaches the Thriller viewer lever of 37,665,644 hits, one thing is certain; these impressive Cebuano inmates will continue to dance their way to entertainment stardom into the hearts of international viewers with their unique display of Filipino solidarity and discipline.
I’ve always recommended Cebu City as one of my preferred travel destination, as the islanders Cebuanos are by themselves a world-class attraction. Proof of this, is the fact that even in the least most expected place such as a maximum security penitentiary facility, one will never imagine to find the prison inmates themselves to be a popular tourist favorite.
With their own Thriller performance captivating the online world’s interest, the 1,500 inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) offer an interestingly different kind of group dance entertainment that is like no other in the world.
Their latest dance effort is an impressive collaboration with no less than the official Michael Jackson’s dance choreographer Travis Payne who specifically choreographed a special dance for the inmates to the beat of Jackson’s song “They Don’t Really Care About Us.”
This dance video was intended to be part of a promotional press kit for the “This is It” DVD launching of Michael Jackson’s last performance-rehearsals scheduled for official release on January 26.
It was reported that the inmates rehearsed Mr. Payne’s choreography in just one day on January 18, and the filming of the entire video was done the next day. Now if that isn’t a spectacular show of unified discipline and structured coordination, where else can you find such tight camaraderie but inside a Cebu prison facility.
A lot of credit should go to the creative vision of prison warden Mr. Byron F. Garcia who initiated these dance routine exercise activities for the inmates as a constructive way of passing their daily time usefully and instilling self-discipline among them.
As related by Mr. Payne, even Michael himself thoroughly enjoyed the inmates’ rendition of his biggest dance hit “Thriller” and would often watch it while taking a break from his grueling dance rehearsals; a resounding testament and fitting tribute from the King of Pop who considers their Thriller interpretation a world-class feat by itself.
If Michael was alive, he surely wouldn’t miss the opportunity to film his next dance hit video with these awesome back-up inmate dancers, amidst the surefire prediction that such bold concept would turnout to be another monstrous hit effort worldwide. Talk about Filipino talent attaining world-class status, this truly is it!
There's just one major obstacle, as these charismatic inmate dance entourage can’t be hired and won’t be allowed to travel with him on a worldwide performance tour. But hey, they’re always available at the detention facility, and one only needs to go there to enjoy the kind of unique world-class entertainment that can’t be seen in any other part of our world.
EDWIN L. YAP
Makati City, Philippines
EDWIN L. YAP
Makati City, Philippines
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