Davide watches dancing inmates for the first time

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Hilario Davide III made true his promise to personally see for himself presentations by world-renowned dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

Last Saturday, Davide witnessed more than eight dance presentations from the inmates plus a religious song number.

Davide expressed how impressed he was with the dancing inmates especially with the “discipline and timbre” the dancers showed in their presentations.

“Gawas sa inyong giatubang nga kaso, ang inyong importanteng misyon dinhi mao ang makahatag ug entertainment sa tibuok kalibutan. (Apart from the cases that you are facing, you also have an important mission of entertaining the whole world),” Davide told the inmates after their dance.

After taking his seat at the Capitol last July, Davide admitted that he has not witnessed the dancing inmates yet but have always wanted to see them for himself.

Davide went down the demonstration grounds and shook hands with the inmates.

 â€œWala pa kini sa ubang dapit sa kalibutan, dinhi ra gyud sa Pilipinas, sa Sugbo pa gyud. Tinuoray nga world class entertainer kamo. Do not lose hope for there is life gikan dinhi. You always pray nga mahatagan kamo ug inspirasyon sa kahitas-an ug i-ampo pud namo kamo dinhi sa CPDRC. (This cannot be seen in any part of the world, only here in the Philippines, specifically in Cebu. You are truly world class. Do not lose hope for there is life after here. You always pray that you be given inspiration from above and we will also pray for you here),” said Davide in his message dancers.

Among the dances the inmates performed were “Jump,” “Fire,” “Lost in Emotion,” “Insomnia,” “This is It,” “Gangnam Style,” “Gentleman,” and “Dance Remix.” They also sang the religious song, “Salamat sa Iyo.”

Davide recommended for the inmates to include old dance tunes to their presentations like “Diana” and “Sweet Caroline”.

He was accompanied by his wife, Jobel, and Provincial Board Member Peter John Calderon, his Chief of Staff Atty. Ramil Abing, Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera, Provincial Secretary Aniceta Pasaylo, Chief of Security Loy Madrigal, Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Alex Tolentino and Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nonilon Monares Jr. and his councilors.

Davide also invited Dr. Michael O’Brien of the International Tankers Operators Pollution Federation (ITOPF). O’Brien has been commissioned by the 2GO Group to help assess the oil spill from the sunken MV Saint Thomas Aquinas.

 â€œIt’s amazing, very good. It is a sensory overload. There are so many good dancers in here,” said O’Brien.

Marco Toral, consultant on Security and Jail Matters, showed Davide around CPDRC. Toral said they are hoping for some structural improvements in the facility.  (FREEMAN)