Tuesday, January 22, 2008 CPDRC to hold monthly concerts
MORE people will get a chance to see the popular “dancing inmates” of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) as they plan to perform for the public monthly.
The performances will be for free.
Just like the jail’s Sinulog concert last Jan. 18, those who want to watch will have to register.
Jeanette Malinao, Capitol consultant on mass and electronic media, said the open house intends to show the public how the inmates are being rehabilitated.
While the concert is for free, CPDRC intends to profit from the souvenir items they sell at the jail. The CPDRC Sinulog concert gained P25,000 in souvenir sales.
One of the souvenir items for sale are CPDRC shirts. The shirt is similar to the one worn by inmates, but with the words “CPDRC inmates danced before me.” The shirts were among the most in-demand items during the concert.
There were also mugs and postcards that showed the prisoners in action. Other items include bags that the inmates themselves made, bracelets, cork openers and wallets.
Proceeds will be divided between the inmates and the Cebu Provincial Government.
Sun.Star Cebu asked if the inmates will be forced to endure grueling practice hours now that they will perform every month.
Exercise
Malinao said this will not be the case since the inmates’ dance routine is part of their daily exercise.
The “dancing inmates” became popular last year when Capitol consultant on security Byron Garcia uploaded on YouTube the inmates’ dances.
The YouTube posts became one of the most watched videos in the Internet, according to Time magazine’s “Best of the Year” issue.
The inmates would have joined the Sinulog Grand Parade last Sunday if Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeńa and the Sinulog Foundation approved their request. (JGA)
