The Cebu dancing inmates, who first became an online sensation with their rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, are still moonwalking with the late King of Pop. Jackson’s longtime choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid paid a visit to the Philippines to teach the inmates routines from “This Is It.”
Watch Video here:
http://meme.yahoo.com/yphnewsroom/p/fN2BIMP/
(The Jackson family from left, Janet Jackson, Paris Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Prince Michael) Image credits to http://news.yahoo.com
Last Tuesday, Jackson’s golden casket was brought to the Staples Center for a serene memorial service attended by the legend’s closest family and friends. Each of them shared their own stories that gave everyone a glimpse of Michael Jackson not as an entertainer but as a remarkable person.
“I just wanted to say… ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him — so much,” said Jackson’s 11-year-old daughter, Paris, who shed into tears and fell into her aunt Janet’s embrace thereafter. This was the most touching part of the memorial that almost made me cry as I watched the scene on television.
Motown founder Berry Gordy pronounced him not just the King of Pop, but “the greatest entertainer who ever lived”. Some of his old friends present were Magic Johnson who talked about the perfectionist who made him achieve higher heights as a basketball player, but also told of sitting around and eating KFC at his home and Brooke Shields who talked about a friendship in which laughter was central to it all. “M.J.’s laugh was the sweetest and purest of anyone I’ve known.” Shields said, fighting back tears.
Though the legend was popularly known as one of the greatest artists of all time, his music life seem to have taken a backseat during the memorial. None of his biggest hits, such as Thriller was made part of the program. Instead, the songs played were the compassionate and inspiring “We Are the World” and the anthem for his charity, “Heal the World.”
The first performance was Mariah Carey’s rendition of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll be there”. Other artists, such as Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder were there blending speeches and music for their longtime friend. Usher performed an emotional rendition of “Gone Too Soon” that invoked the pain of all his friends and family as the Jackson brothers gripped their arms together and held Usher when he broke into tears after the song. Jermaine Jackson’s version of “Smile,” known to be Michael Jackson’s theme song in spite of his tragic life, served as the appropriate elegy for his brother.
It’s sad when people recognizes one’s greatness only after they’re gone. Well, not for his family but for the others who only tend to search for the truth and choose to believe it only now that he is gone. Most of us know that many people had judged Michael Jackson and worked there way of tearing the man down almost into pieces with every vicious accusations. These are the people who MJ usually referred to as ‘ignorant’. I second that notion, if I may say. People are ignorant when they accuse others though they are not in position to do so. Remember that when you point one finger to another, four of them points back to you. So we better look at ourselves in the mirror first before we judge others.
But his compassion was greater than any of the sufferings he had to go through due to the allegations thrown at him. He never gave up and continued helping other people. Maybe God just finally decided to save him from life’s despair, so He took him. Yet, MJ’s greatness will truly live forever in the hearts of those who loved him most.
The inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), who became a famous YouTube sensation for their “Thriller” dance video, performed a stage tribute for their idol, Michael Jackson.
After being told of Jackson’s death Thursday in Los Angeles, the 1,500 inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center hit the exercise yard, practicing for nine hours Friday night _ and into the wee hours of Saturday morning _ for the show. They took breaks only to eat or when it rained, said professional choreographer Gwendolyn Lador, hired by the prison to teach the inmates the dance.
‘Thriller’ made them famous all over the world. Most of the inmates proclaimed being avid fans of the King of Pop since their childhood. He became inspiration and brought back their self-esteem. They believe that “if not for Michael Jackson they would not have this international recognition”.
Watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o
