Inmates sad over death of MJ
CEBU CITY – Hundreds of prisoners inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) were shocked at the news that their idol, Michael Jackson, the king of pop, has passed away early today.
Michael has become the prisoners’ most loved celebrity because his song “Thriller” brought worldwide fame to the inmates – who are now popularly known as the dancing inmates of Cebu following the 25.4 million video hits of their popular “Thriller” dance on YouTube.com.
The inmates were shocked over the news because they have just performed their popular “Thriller” dance Thursday afternoon at the CPDRC for the delegates of the Philippine International Tourism Fair, just a few hours before Jackson died inside the hospital.
“I am shocked, the inmates are still in grief after learning that their idol is already dead,” said Capitol Consultant Byron Garcia, the brains behind the dancing inmates, told reporters today.
Garcia said the dancing inmates look up at Jackson, who was undeniably instrumental in the worldwide fame that the inmates now enjoy. Two years ago, the dancing inmates performed their exercise routine in a form of synchronize movements and used “Thriller” as background song.
The inmates, who were wearing their prison uniform – orange shirt and pants, looked amazing then, prompting Garcia to videotape their movements and post it on the online video website, Youtube.com.
The performance became a worldwide hit and is now considered as one of the top five mostly viewed video on Youtube, with over 25.4 million views as of press time. Thanks to Jackson’s “Thriller”, said Garcia.
Because of the “Thriller” dance, the inmates became instant celebrities as news about their dancing steps were reported in CNN, BBC, NBC, and other international media outlets.
“Jackson has helped our inmates a lot through his song,” said Garcia who added that the inmates will pay tribute to the pop icon by performing the “Thriller” dance today (Saturday).
At early dawn on Friday, a team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Jackson for more than an hour before he was declared dead.
According to a statement released by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, where the pop star was taken after suffering what is believed to be cardiac arrest at his home, the Jackson died at 2:26pm following repeated failed attempts to revive him. #
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June 27th, 2009 at 12:57 am
I was a big fan of Michael Jackson. I grew up listening and dancing to his music, I even remember the night clubs I went to. Michael will always be remembered as “King of Pop” and his wonderful contribution to Music, especially “we are the World we are the children. We are the ones to make a brighter day … thanks to Michael
Alyou T.