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

[derekc06]

I had the feeling at the end of the "tribute" when they started running off without hesitation that there was something more to this than what was seen in the video. And judging by a couple of sources I've gained from the comments here, there certainly was..

If this was a forced act for the amusement of Byron Garcia and other stories of abuse there are true, shame on Huffpost for not checking this story out before they reported it. And shame on them some more for not correcting their error. If this was abuse then this article is clearly promoting it.

[derekc06]

But who knows... I can't find anything definitive... Either way... It seems shifty to me.

[expatwing]

Abuse? Making them dance? Sorry - forcing someone to do something they don't necessarily want to do (like, for example, be IN prison in the first place!) isn't abuse!

[lianmolive]

it's a form of humiliation. they are being forced to do this. the prison ward enjoys this. there have been accusations against the ward.

i'm sure some do enjoy the dancing... but it shouldn't be forced upon the inmates, especially since a lot of them haven't even been to trial.

[derekc06]

I thought being in prison was their punishment... not dancing for the amusement of others...

[SmithnPdx]

If I were a prisoner, I would rather learn a 'humiliating' dance from some Michael Jackson song, rather than stripped naked, made to stand on a box hooded , be sleep deprived, H20boarded, or held with out trial like how I hear they do it in other countries. Oh, yeah, that's the US. At least we haven't the liberty to complain and self aggrandize.

[derekc06]

what?

[lianmolive]

who wouldn't? point?

that 13 year old who was forced to strip down b/c she had advil....I'm sure would prefer to be stripped down rather than tortured and raped.... but that doesn't mean the strip search is all that much better.

[lianmolive]

I saw a PBS special on the prisoners dancing to MJ music. These prisoners were being forced to do this. The person head of this prison claimed it was for exercise, but others viewed it as a form of humiliation. Also many of these "prisoners" were still waiting for a trial to be heard.

[dnno1]

That may be somewhat true, if they were truly forced. It looked like they were having fun to me.

[maigesheng]

He keeps saying that but the only link he provides is sensational BS.
Here is a link documenting that at least some enjoyed this

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

[derekc06]

I can't find a PBS special about this...

[lianmolive]

really? I swear it was on PBS... this was like a year ago. Well if I come across this I'll let you know.

[expatwing]

forced to march around and dance - oh the horror! Forgive me if I'm not crying buckets!

[lawguy]

These videos, which depict prisoner who have been coerced into 'performing,' are really vile.

[lianmolive]

second that.

[nborders]

.... And what they made me do for the Christmas pageant wasn''t. I DEMAND REPARATIONS!!!!

~n

[maigesheng]

What makes you think coerced?? If I were an inmate, I would love the opportunity to break the monotony with some dance lessons and (clearly( alot of time spent having some fun. Look at the Thriller video. You think people were coerced into actually learning to dance a song WELL??

I think they had alot of fun with this.

[maigesheng]

I just saw the link provided below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDTCKS4qXM8&feature=related

The video claims that this is all forced and really disgusting. But look at another video which is not nearly as sensational.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R72kxZW1orE&NR=1
This video shows that they actually enjoy the excorcise and fun.

Of course prison sucks. And in some places there is torture and corruption. But isnt this more reason to appreciate the leisure time?

I guess I dont want to take stand either way on this I just dont like the automatic "VILE" judgement.

[expatwing]

exactly - some prisoners are forced to do manual labor or pick up garbage on the highway... I'm pretty sure I'd rather be dancing!

[greenwren]

And I was forced to "group dance" in junior high gym class. I still can't listen to "Crocodile Rock" without shuddering.

[Uling]

Awesome brothers. Shows unity, forgiveness and love from people of all walks of life. MJs music is unifying. doesn't matter who's good or bad.

[opine2u]

A true news organization would also play the true Michael Jackson Prison Video.
Why deceive their readership?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDTCKS4qXM8&feature=related

[FZliveson]

Opine2U---Thanks for the eye opener.
Seemed a little too quaint to be "real."

[maigesheng]

Here is another link that contradicts the sensational video you linked to. Yours used creepy orange text. This one has a person actually in the dance rehearsals reporting on it. check it out.

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

[opine2u]

Maybe the Huffington post would like you to believe otherwise, but this is the truth behind the Michael Jackson video, and it too deserves to be played.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDTCKS4qXM8&feature=related

[Smokin32]

Dishonest to call it a "tribute" so soon after the death, this is an old OLD video. This is not "news" this is lying.

[Center-of-the-Bird]

Yep, you're right, miss leading heading, it's a news thing, twist it, don't break it but of course they do.

[Arrecho]

The first part is really moving, considering that these are inmates.

Good for them and the prison manager.

[lianmolive]

Many of these inmates haven't even had a trial yet.

Prison management (so some claim) is a form of abuse.

[minty68]

I like the original one better.

[kwinter]

This article should be paying tribute to Byron Garcia, a security consultant for the Philippine prison.
His name is not even mentioned, but he is the person responsible for organizing this program 5 years ago. He has made many other improvements to the prison too.

"I wanted a program where everyone would exercise an hour a day," Garcia said.

The goal was something the inmates could consider an accomplishment and that would teach camaraderie and teamwork.

First came marching to the cadence of a drum. Then Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Village People standards followed, with the guidance of a choreographer. It takes about a week to work out individual sections of a new song, another week to pull them together.

Crisanto Nierre, who plays Michael Jackson's role in "Thriller," said, "Before the dancing, our problems were really heavy to bear. Dancing takes our minds away from our problems. Our bodies became more healthy. As for the judges, they may be impressed with us, seeing that we are being rehabilitated and this could help our case. We are being rehabilitated in a good way."

Kudos to Byron Garcia, for thinking outside the box!

Garcia, is the hero in this story!

[Chace Haynes]

...Indeed! Cheers Byron Garcia

[Snafu]

Garcia is a slave master, I suggest you research this a bit more. These inmates were forced to do this. Garcia is a horrible person who keeps female inmates as sex slaves and even tattoos his name on them.

[Center-of-the-Bird]

let's see some links

[kwinter]

The conditions in this prison are bad, but were much worse before Mr. Garcia came along.
He is responsible for making major improvements.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/world/asia/15iht-inmates.1.9223130.html?pagewanted=2

*More than two dozen prisoners have tattooed Garcia's name on their bodies alongside those of former gang affiliations and loved ones, openly proclaiming him their "idol." He clearly bristles at suggestions that he forces prisoners to dance. "Do they look like they are forced?" he asked, visibly irritated.*

[maigesheng]

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

Just one link showing that they enjoy the excercize.

[FZliveson]

Kwinter: Oh... is that so?
What about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDTCKS4qXM8&feature=related

Did you say you just got a visa to go do some tourism in Teheran?
I think you might find some joy there, if you believe Byron Garcia is a hero.

[maigesheng]

sensationalist link. Lame creepy text. Look at the other link above

[estevancarlos]

The Michael Jackson movie that will hopefully come many years from now, needs a reenactment of this scene. Maybe in the closing credits. A perfect tribute and a fascinating and strange life.

[KDog76A]

Except of course that this scene violates prisoner's rights at the whim of prison officials

[SonofSolomon]

Michael truly was "Bad". I don't know of any other artist who could inspire an entire foriegn prision poulation to pay tribute. R.I.P Mike.

[lianmolive]

Wasn't inspired... was forced.

[maigesheng]

prove it. Here is a link that shows otherwise.

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

[rektruax]

My nephew quipped this morning that perhaps Jackson could redo the Thriller video as a real zombie now...

[eva belle]

you gotta love that nephew..lmao

[anothervoice2]

A touching tribute.