Filipino Inmates dance Michael Jackson's "This Is It" routine

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According to choreographer Travis Payne, Michael Jackson enjoyed watching videos of the more than 1,500 Filipino Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) inmates who performed the choreography to "Thriller" in 2007. He would apparently watch videos of the inmate dance during breaks from his This Is It tour rehearsals.


Michael Jackson and choreographer Travis Payne

Byron Garcia, a security consultant for the prison reports that many of the inmates were not initially receptive to the idea of participating in choreographed dances. However, it became an activity that kept the prisoners busy during down time in a positive and healthy way.

Filipino inmates from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center dance to "They Don't Really Care About Us" by Michael Jackson

I just learned that the CPDRC inmates perform to other songs including Michael Jackson's "Thriller," "Dangerous," the Village People's "Y.M.C.A," and others.


Filipino inmates from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center dance to "Thriller" by Michael Jackson

When I viewed the beginning of the film I thought...they actually allowed a female to play Michael Jackson's love interest from the Thriller video?


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I thought this was odd being that it is an all male prison however, it turns out that the "female" is actually played by a male. He does a very good job at playing the "damsel in distress".


Filipino inmates from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center dance to "Dangerous" by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" routine is one of my favorites so I really appreciated this one.

I can only imagine how long it took choreographer Travis Payne to teach these men the routines. I am curious as to whether all of the inmates were interested in performing or if they did not have a choice in the matter. I am also curious to know whether the 1,500 inmates that participated make up the entire prison or if there are other inmates that reside at the facility but did not participate.


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I'd be curious to know how these performances has impacted the well being of these men.