CPDRC creating foundation for dancing inmates

CEBU, Philippines - The management of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center is planning to establish a foundation for its world-renowned dancing inmates.

Marco Toral, CPDRC consultant on jail matters, said the foundation would be funded by the donations raised by the inmates from their live performances inside the penitentiary.

The CPDRC Foundation would be maintained by the officials of different prison cells.

Toral said the dancing inmates would earn at least P100,000 a year from their performances.

He said the money they raised would go to their trust fund to be used during emergency cases and other needs of the inmates.

The dancing inmates perform every last Saturday of the month or upon request. Their dance videos also made them YouTube sensations.

Toral said dance routines performed by the inmates vary depending upon the new dance crazes.

He said that they would also create a website to give opportunity to those overseas workers who want to see the inmates’ performances.

Led by choreographer Vince Rosales, the inmates’ dance rehearsals are ongoing. Rosales said the inmates are cooperative and that he has not encountered problems instructing them.

“Gusto sila niini kay gawas nga ni-income na, ni sikat pa worldwide, naka tabang pa sila sa gobiyerno pag-promote sa Sugbo,” he said.

Toral said the dance routine is part of the jail’s recreation and rehabilitation process to divert the inmates from boredom and depression while waiting for the disposition of their cases. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga and Renan Alangilan/LPM (FREEMAN)