Philippines Prison's Michael Jackson Tribute (VIDEO)

More than 1,500 CPDRC inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Cebu, Philippines, first gained international fame when the video of them re-enacting Michael Jackson's epic "Thriller" video stormed YouTube, getting over 20 million views. Now that their inspiration, the King of Pop, has passed away, the prisoners filmed a tribute to him (dated June 27th), a choreographed dance routine to Jackson songs "Ben" and "I'll Be There."

Watch the tribute dance below, and if you haven't seen their "Thriller" re-enactment, then be sure to watch it afterward (or before!). "Thriller" is the second video.

Comments

[AvidReader19]

Wow, this is incredible, I hadn't seen them. What if our prisons encouraged stuff like this? Perhaps the rate of recidivism would be less. And, of course if we had healthcare for all, because in prison the inmates do get universal (taxpayer paid for) healthcare. Why shouldn't we?

[textynn]

very cool.

[wadenelson1]

Not me bro. I'd spend weeks underground tunneling out or months in "the cooler" for trying before I'd make one single Michael Jackson dance step wearing fluorescent orange.

Ya gotta hold onto your dignity. ;)

[maribelle1963]

I think their dignity is doing just fine. Nothing wrong with song and dance! It enlivens the soul.

(PS they don't get to pick their outfits--they wear them whether dancing or not.)

[sherifffruitfly]

It would be cool if at least some of them took away from this the fact that they CAN do better things than they've done in the past.

[malinvr]

I was thinking the same thing.

[JustJoy7]

There's something to be said for the arts. It's rehabilitating and at least they are busy doing something meaningful and apparently enjoyable. Good for them. Good performance.

[6bd]

I wish Michael could see the outpouring of love from every corner of the world. We must share our expressions of love to those we care about, the world needn't be so harsh. For Michael, and for us all.

[kbkw54]

Who the heck is in charge of this PRISON? This criminals are having a great time.

[Eris23Skidoo]

In societies less barbaric than ours, incarceration is intended to rehabilitate the felon. The point is redemption and reintroduction in the society as someone who has paid for their crimes and has learned better methods for resolving problems. In our society, the idea is to punish them, dehumanize them, and harden them so they'll get back into crime once they leave prison. It's a business: it makes no sense to not have repeat customers when you're making a profit from them. Just ask the prison owner Dick Cheney.

[thegirlnextdoor]

Here is a link to the aljeezera interview about the dance routines.
It is part of the prison fitness program and they do it for three hours a day.
Does not look like torture to me. You see them laughing and having fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R72kxZW1orE&NR=1

[thegirlnextdoor]

Who ever is in chage of that prison should be in charge of all our prisons. What a great project! That is amazing. Absolutely wonderful. Congradulations to them all.

[scully05]

At least they got rhythum, which is more than I can say for some of you!

[Raisean]

That was beautiful! I actually cried!

[SEMPERFI99]

As stated this would be GREAT for the US prison system. If you dont perform then you dont eat.

[lianmolive]

why? why force them to perform?

and withholding food is a form of torture... I thought the Libs (myself included) was against that.

[greenwren]

Aw, come on! Force them? Give them the OPTION -- it's exercise and an outlet. It could do some good. Can't that be enough???

[wingsabre]

eh, our prison system is different, if we actually teach them teamwork, they may actually break out. j/k... or am I?

[KDog76A]

And the guys in Gitmo claimed they were tortured... they should do some time in the Phillipines

[SEMPERFI99]

I think this would be an awesome idea to start in the american prison system. Take away the weight rooms and cable telvision.

[quincyscott]

Is this punishment, or recreation?