Garcia allows CPDRC inmates' dances back

CEBU, Philippines - The world famous Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) dancing inmates will now be back in the limelight after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has allowed their monthly performances back.

Their comeback-performance on Saturday at the CPDRC quadrangle will be the hottest Korean dance craze today, “Oppa Gangnam Style.”

Garcia suspended the monthly performances of the dancing inmates since March after a near-riot happened while the inmates were having a rehearsal of their monthly dance routine. The incident was triggered when an inmate was mobbed by fellow inmates for brandishing an improvised ice pick.

Garcia’s decision to restore the dancing routine of the inmates was made upon the recommendation of Atty. Jose Ma. Gastardo, the capitol consultant on planning and development and jail matters.

Gastardo said the governor has advised him and CPDRC management about it and if they could prepare a new dance presentation. The choreographer, Vince Rosales, in compliance with the governor’s instruction came up with the new dance routine.

“I encourage our choreographer to prepare a more modern dance presentation aron dili pod tawn mapul-an ang atong mga viewers, kay regular man ni ilang presentation every last Saturday of the month. So the inmates now have their regular daily practices for the Gangnam Style,” said Gastardo.

The presentation on Saturday, which will be the inmates’ first appearance for this dance routine, will be open for the public to watch.

“You are all welcome because this is open to the public. This will be the first appearance for the said dance routine. Hopefully the dance routine will really come out well,” Gastardo added.

He also revealed that there will be a special presentation for the 800 CPDRC dancing inmates on Saturday morning for the guests coming from Zamboanga, but the “Oppa Gangnam Style” dance will be featured in the afternoon.

 On the other hand, Garcia has also set Thursday as the visiting day for the families of the inmates but they will only be allowed until the visiting area. Garcia only allowed them to be in the quadrangle and for the conjugal visit on Sundays.

Gastardo said he already ordered to recall all the old visitors pass. He said it will be replaced with new ones. This time, the IDs will have the name of the inmate to be visited and the two disinterested visitors need to submit the documents needed like barangay certification and marriage certificate for the common law wife.

“We will ask for documentation to the relatives of the inmates. And I will follow up on whether all the old IDs are already recalled. Anyhow, those old IDs will no longer be entertained,” Gastardo said.

 About 1,600 new IDs equivalent to the number of inmates inside the CPDRC were made. Gastardo said that they are not yet accepting inmates from the province since they are still overly populated. (FREEMAN)