Yes economically we are poor BUT that does not make us insignificant. We may be small, mere islands as compared to continents around the globe BUT that does not make us less proud.
Right now every Filipino is proud to be a Filipino. That yet again we are known all over for the unusual popularity due to characteristics hailed by most that not an individual possess but of all Filipino’s. If before you salute a Filipino, Efren “Bata” Reyes, for being “The Magician” the world of billiards knew, now you will probably raise and flick both hands. If you stood up with the standing ovations given Charisse Pempengco time and again as she gives goose bumps with her powerful voice in Oprah, concert in the Madison Garden or duets with world-class singers like Celine Dion (and almost with legendary Michael Jackson), now you may stood up almost unbelieving of what your eyes beheld. And if “The Best Boxer Ever Lived”, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao amazed you into surrender each bout he wins, this definitely will make you more than amazed at how can such group of individual in such number can be included in every body’s dream of being among Michael Jackson’s dancers!
Your eyes are not deceiving you. These are inmates or prisoners dancing with Michael Jackson’s choreographer (Travis Payne) and back-up dancers (Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid). Prisoners from a maximum prison, Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center of the Visayas region, that are supposed to be undisciplined, unmanageable, selfish, disrespectful or whatever mean thing one can think to describe prisoners. Remember though that they are FILIPINO prisoners. They come from the same lineage of warm, hospitable, striving, hard driven, witty, humble, and talented people. Let us not be the judge to them for being behind bars not knowing if they are just victims of injustice as some really are or guilty and is paying for it as absolution; that is the court’s place to decide. But be the spectator of a creation of art as a by product of brotherhood, unity, obedience, needing to uplift and prove self-worth and unique ability.
This is just one amidst many other performances these inmates have done, and some have focused in remembering and paying respect to legendary pop-icon Michael Jackson. Thanks to YouTube for it has been the path for this chance of sharing with the world such talent. These men are included in the This Is It tribute for our pop idol. A thing to be truly proud of, don’t you think?
