Last Saturday, I was finally able to watch the live performance of the dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. My uncle was able to make a reservation, and luckily, his name was on the final list when we went to the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
Anyway, in case you’ve all forgotten, the CPDRC inmates made headlines all over the world, when a video of their ‘Thriller’ routine was uploaded on video-sharing site YouTube. When it was first uploaded, it easily got more than a million hits (visits/views). The video eventually made it to Time Magazine’s 10 Most Viral Videos of 2007. Because of the video’s unexpected success, countless news agencies from different parts of the world flocked to the CPDRC compound to cover the live performances.
Today, a year and three months after the Thriller video was uploaded, it now has (are you ready?) more than 18 Million hits! Believe me, that’s NOT an easy feat.
It’s amazing to see them giving it their all! Good job guys!!!
The Cebu Provincial Capitol – Live presentations are held every last Saturday of the month. To be able to watch the show, you have to go to the Provincial Capitol and make a reservation. You can either watch the show at 10 AM or at 3 PM.
On the day of the performance, make sure to be at the pick-up point a full hour before the performance. As soon as your reservation is confirmed, you will be given a CPDRC Visitor’s Pass.
Then, you can board the bus that will take you to the facility. For free.
On our way to the CPDRC – BSP Camp
When we reached CPDRC, our bags were checked and we got this.
We were all then lead to a room where we watched a video presentation about the history of the facility and the rise to fame of the dancing inmates. We also saw clips of international news reports about the famous inmates.
Clip of the actual CNN news show called CNN Today
Mr. Byron Garcia gave a short talk after the video presentation. I learned a lot from him. Mr. Garcia indicated that the ‘dance program’ has helped the facility a lot. He said that because of the program, gangs have been abolished, prisoners now smile often, and they all now treat each other as close friends. Mr. Garcia also mentioned that, compared to the previous years, so far, no inmates have re-entered the facility after they were released. This fact, according to Mr. Garcia, only proves that the program is very beneficial not only to the facility and the staff but also to the prisoner. He added that since the facility started having live presentations, prisoners now have more confidence and they gained back their self-worth and self-esteem.
And by the way, Mr. Byron Garcia shared that because of their shows, a lot of visitors gave donations. The donations were then deposited to the account of the inmates. They all have bank passbooks. At present, they have a combined deposit of more than 2 million pesos! Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Booklets were given to visitors to give them a deeper understanding of the role of rehabilitation in jails.
Assisting Mr. Garcia was an inmate who, according to Mr. Garcia, used to be a ‘gun for hire’. He is a graduate of the CPDRC primary education program. He will be a freshman next year.
After the short ‘seminar’, we all proceeded to the viewing deck.
In support of all the guys in orange, I wore a pair of slippers with orange straps. Hahaha.
This one dude was so happy when he learned that his friends were visiting him and they were going to see him perform.
Mr. Byron Garcia welcomes all visitors.
The boys are ready to show what they’ve got.
Mr. Byron Garcia interviewed the dude when he heard his friends cheering for him. When asked what his name was, he said ‘Maria’. LOL
Let the dancing begin! Orange men in action!
This dude knows how to work it!
Male and female inmates dancing ‘We Built This City’
Payts bai! Ikid gyud!
Visitors couldn’t help but cheer for the talented dudes on the ground.
They all have the same pants, shirts, and shoes – Chuck Taylors!!! Hehehe
The inmates forming ‘GLORIA’. They did this routine during PGMA’s visit.
Bend it like Beckham. LOL
Wow! Look at that!
Inmates dancing YMCA by the Village People.
Inmates dancing the most applauded number – Crank That Soulja Boy!
Some excited spectators.
I forgot what number this was. LOL
After more than 5 numbers, the inmates were still very energetic.
Some select dancers. These guys are part of the ‘core group’ of highly skilled dancer. They know how to rock it, yo!
A short break gives them time to breathe and mingle.
Smiling for the camera.
They all looked genuinely happy and proud. Which is a very good thing.
Then, they showed us their marches. This was what they did before they started dancing.
Then, it’s back to dancing. They still want more.
Tatang was so graceful the spectators became wild. LOL.
Tatang, a 58-yo inmate showing us what he got.
The crowd cheered for Tatang which made him smile.
Mr. Byron Garcia knew exactly why the crowd was so noisy. It was Tatang!
This dude stole the scene when he backflipped and cart-wheeled. Hehehe.
Four inmates showing the steps of the Macarena remix dance. The composer of the song specifically asked the CPDRC inmates to use his music.
Spectators dancing the Macarena dance.
More spectators dancing. Hahaha. It was a riot!
They then did the ‘I need a Hero’ number. This time, they got props. Hehehe.
Intermission number – Ballroom dancers!
Doesn’t that look sweet? Hehehe
For their finale, they did the routine that took them to the top – Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
You can’t miss the costumes and the internalization – Wow! Hehehe.
It was a beautiful date. Until the zombies started rolling in.
Lupigan ang mga artista oi.
Super emote. Hehehe.
Now he doesn’t know what to do! You’re zombies ya’ll!!!
Oh no! The zombies won!
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! Hahahaha.
After the show, the dancers and choreographers were introduced.
Then, the spectators were allowed to go down and take photos of the inmates.
Mr. Byron Garcia with Maria and his visiting friends.
Mom posing with two inmates who said ‘Pa-picture ta mam.’ After I took the picture, they said, “Salamat, ma’am, sir. Hope nalingaw mo sa show.” 😀
At the lobby, crafts made by the inmates were selling like hotcakes.
Ahhh. I’ll be back for that shirt! Mupalit gyud ko next time. Hehehe.
It was an awesome show guys! You rock!
Wow! Amazingly beautiful performance (bisan sa pictures lang ko nakakita). Buotan kaayo ang mga kaigsoonan nato nga naa sa CPDRC, hinoon angay lang sab silang magbinuotan.
Ley, you did great with these pictures. Thank you!
BTW, pwede ta makapalit sa T-Shirt nga orange nga naay mark nga CPDRC inmate? Hmm.. nindot baya sab na. I like the shirt para sa Sinulog. Dili gyod ta mawala ana sa crowed. Ok ba na isuot sa public places?
hehehe.. ako mag gud ma-imagine ba nga sama ra na nga magsuot kog lab gown samtang magbaklan sa colon. Ambot lang!
crowd* (naunsa na man ni oi!)
hehehe. thanks.
pwede kaayo mupalit ug tshirt. 170 all sizes. ang print sa original shirt kay white. ang baligya nga shirts kay black.
I’m a big fan of the CPDRC. Jail Rock is better than Jail Break. LOL. Lipaya gyud ni Tatang. They’re all very good performers.
Ley, limpio pa ang imong tiil kay sa akoa. 🙂
Thanks, I missed the details. white man diay ang para sa sud. Black ang print para sa souvenir. maayo maayo.. Lamats!
bay, murag hadlok man isul-ob and orange nga t-shirt. Basin ug ma-saypan ta sa mga vigilantis.
bay leland,
Greatly appreciate your effort in creating your blog with absolutely beatiful pictures. Di-a ko sa layong dapit ug ang imong mga pictures nga gi-post nakatabang sa pagpahinumdum namo diri sa atong pinanggang Cebu. Labihang dako-a na man diay ang pag-uswag ug paglambo sa atong lugar.
Thank you bai and keep on posting.
Best regards.
@mam ianne – nyahaha.yep. maayo kayo sila muperform tanan. hataw gyud!
@batang buotan
yep. way blema sir. hehe
@batang cebu
salamat kaayo sir.
daghan man namalit sa shirt, sir. dayon black ang print. so different siya sa orig nga white ang print. hehe
hi sir ley…got this blog link from firefox…very well written and i must say that the photos was taken by a pro…:D gud job sir ley!!! 🙂
Thx Leylander, I so wanted to see these guys perform last winter when we were there, but couldn’t push through. I’m gonna make it next time for sure!!
Byron Garcia has his own You Tube account and posts vids of the inmates there.
http://www.youtube.com/my_subscriptions?pi=1&ps=20&sf=added&sa=0&sq=&dm=2&s=NezIaZhlP0w
Your shots of the inmates are terrific. Can you tell me your camera settings?
imong website made want to go back in cebu..
basta maka balik ko mo anha gyud ko dira…
and also this site is makin us people see whats happening in cebu…and the new changes…
my friends in here in california(filipino from manila and davao)think that cebu is like forest and no lime life…but those people havent seen cebu and havent been there..soo yeah…
hope to see more good stuff in cebu:]…from u
Ley, i will see this with dave on jan. 09
mao ba mam luisa? don’t miss it gyud. nindot kaayo. hehe
LEI! tag me along next time ha… as you promised.
bantay ka lang… ei? LOL
Hehehe lupigan kos manga piniriso da kay ma pa mo sayaw LOL! :-J
everybody appreciates a well planned party… with synchronized dancing of course
Good day,Sir/Maám!
My brother from Canada is longing so much of the CPDRC shirt that the inmates wore in their dance shows. He asked me to get him that same shirt. I read in some blogs that the shirts are being sold in that same prison where the inmates performs. Im from Manila, and my brother asked me to fly over to Cebu just to have that shirt.
May I asked if those shirt are still available and where can I buy?
I’ll be waiting for your reply.
Thank you.
-Katrina
the inmates perform every last saturday of the month. shirts are sold to guests after their performances.
its amazing how people can be so close-minded. byron treats those prisoners like shit. how can you be proud to see that? its shaming, really.
are we talking about ‘being close-minded’ here?
honestly!! ur blogs, updates about cpdrc is really awesome!! hay nakakatuwa namanng me nagmamalasakit sa kanila.,, to give them another chance in life.. na yung buhay nila hindi naman patapon na patapon na.. na they can do something better naman.. ang galing ng mga pix and details.. well goodluck!! It open my idea in helping thjese people if i could..
have you seen those Thriller Video with the prison inmates, geez those are very nice ‘;~
Wala dae mu sugti og naog ley and sayaw kyog nila?
Last year kay gipasayaw jud mi kyog nila. Nahadlok ko pag una kay basin unsaon mi. Pero boutan kaau sila. Ila mi gitudluan ug sayaw. 🙂