Sunday, October 07, 2007 Cardinal urges: Know more than inmates’ dances By Jujemay G. Awit Sun.Star Staff Reporter
CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal visited the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Barangay Kalunasan for the first time yesterday, much to the delight of the inmates.
It was a visit the prisoners thought would never happen, said inmate Leo Suico, chairman of the council of leaders.
The detainees entertained the archbishop with the dances the CPDRC has become known for not just in Cebu but for regulars on the YouTube video-sharing website.
“It was a marvelous show of discipline,” said Cardinal Vidal of the inmates’ show, consisting of six dances.
“If only they had practiced that (discipline) in their lives, they wouldn’t be here.”
Discipline was exactly what it took to execute the numerous dance steps of different presentations, said Suico.
But even better than the popularity they’ve gained, the inmates were touched by the cardinal’s visit.
“We have always been judged as evil...we never thought that we would be visited by the cardinal,” Suico said in Cebuano.
Also among the spectators was Cebu Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez, who made the inmates laugh when, in his inspirational message, he said: “Nagtan-aw ko sa inyong sayaw, pagkabuotan man ninyo, nganong dia man kamo? (I noticed you were so disciplined when you danced. So why are you here?)”
Cardinal Vidal said it was a good thing that through the dances, the inmates will have the opportunity to live better lives.
“I hope their stay here will not be a kind of punishment in hell but a form of correction. They are here merely to rehabilitate their lives,” Cardinal Vidal said.
“They have shown in their dances that they gave it all. It shows an opportunity for them to change.”
The archbishop visited CPDRC as part of the celebration of the Prison Awareness Month. He officiated a mass at 3 p.m., with detainees taking part in the Scripture readings and the choir.
In his homily, the prelate lauded the inmates for their ability to dance, which the Internet has enabled audiences abroad to view.
However, the cardinal also wondered aloud why the daily lives of the inmates were not televised as well, such as the condition of their cells or food.
“Gikinahanglan pa unta na magpakabana kita sa panghitabo didto sa ilang mga pribadong selda nga wala naapil sa video... nagsinardinas, kulang sa kalimpyo ug ang pagkaon, kulang sa quantity og sa quality (We need to be made aware of the conditions they live in, the lack of cleanliness and food).”
He also acknowledged that some of the inmates may have been victims of injustice, because they did not have influential connections.
Immediately after the mass, the cardinal sat with some foreign guests to see the inmates perform.
The inmates first simulated an army formation to the beat of “Do the Hustle,” which they ended with a dance. They then formed a cross while “Gregorian Chant” played, followed by dances to the tunes of “I will Follow You” and “Rico Mambo.”
The CPDRC inmates capped the presentation with their Algorithm and Thriller dances, which have drawn millions of viewers on YouTube. That brought the audience to its feet.
After the presentations, the prisoners waved to the cardinal, who repeatedly congratulated them for their performance. (JGA)
