CEBU, Philippines – The world-renowned dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center will offer a dance number for the International Eucharistic Congress on December 26.
Jail consultant Marco Toral said only 800 out of 2,720 inmates will perform at 3 p.m. on Saturday due to the limited number of uniforms.
“Eight hundred ra sila sa IEC tungod na kay nagbuhat ta’g bag-ong uniform ‘P’ nga orange, mao ra ang maabot sa tighimo,” said Toral.
According to Toral, the inmates want to participate in the IEC but because of their situation they instead decided to prepare a special dance offering using the IEC jingle and with the theme ‘Christ in Us: Our hope of Glory.’
Toral said the presentation will be witnessed by Archbishop Jose Palma and Bishop Dennis Villarojo. The family of the inmates will also witness the presentation because they will be allowed a four-day visit during Christmas. (See separate story)
Vince Rosales, the choreographer, said they have really prepared for the IEC dance number.
“Gipaminaw namo by lyrics and kani ilang hand movement sa ilaha gyud ning (IEC) video pero amoa sang gipun-an sa CCPDRC sign. Wala namo kuhaa ang kamot kay sa IEC mana,” Rosales said.
He said they have four days rehearsals but stopped due to some changes to make the performance at its best.
“Ang inspiration namo ang pope dance, happy kaayo kay part me sa IEC nga dako kaayo nga event ngari sa Cebu,” he added.
The public may witness the inmates’ performance every last Saturday of the month and or may send a request to the governor’s office for a special viewing. —/FPL (FREEMAN)