CEBU INMATES DOING THE "THRILLER"

As a continuation to my tribute to the 80's icon MICHAEL JACKSON, Here's the original four-minute Web-smash video, performed by the Cebu prison inmates to the tune of " THRILLER ".

You may recall that this video presentation stemmed from an experimental program started by local security consultant Byron Garcia, which added synchronized dancing to the prison's exercise programs in the hopes of spurring better attendance and more involved participation. And judging by the results, it was certainly a success, as Garcia's post of the convicts' conga lines cavorting a la Jackson and his legion of undulating undead became an immediate phenomenon, drawing over 24 million hits--a million of them in the 24-hour period following the news of Jackson's death.

Still, it was sort of comforting to see Crisanto Niere, the drug dealer who impersonated Jackson in the first YouTube dance, back in the lead role in the revival, thanks most likely to the fact that he still has a few years on his seven-year sentence and didn't have any conflicting bookings--legal or illegal--to worry about.

And bless their paying-their-debts-to-society heads, the Cebu inmates have once again done their warden, the country, and, yes, the entire planet proud. As Michael Jackson, the fallen idol whose music helped these unlikely people gain international recognition, once noted, it doesn't matter if you're black or white, or living as a free person in society or inside a detention and rehab center in the Philippines. We're all people--and we are the world.

MICHAEL JACKSON, " THE SINGER, NOT THE MAN ' - THE DEATH OF AN 80'S ICON

I considered Michael Jackson, the singer not the man, as one of the greatest icons of my generation. I was in 4th year high school when his album Thriller became the No.1 selling album in the world earning him the title " King of Pop ". The said album also produced a number of top hits such as Thriller, Beat It , Billie Jean, and some others which I could no longer remember. The dance craze at the time was the moonwalk, the zombie and robotic/statue moves which were copied from his music videos.

I still remember the time when during one of the weekly presentation of our youth group, I played the role of Michael Jackson while performing a dance number together with my friends to the tune of " Beat It ", with a gang fight and real knives for effect. Our sponsor and founder was so amused and entertained by our number that he ordered us to perform it during our foundation day in front of more than five hundred guests! It pains my heart to know that he is now dead as he was once a part of my youth. It was just a pity that his life turned upside down after reaching the pinacle of fame and glory, just like another 80's icon Mike Tyson. Just like another idol of mine, the great Bobby Fischer..

Michael Jackson's life was, as the title of the popular song of Crosby, Stills and Nash aptly described, " WASTED ON THE WAY " or maybe, he was just simply misunderstood. Goodbye my idol and may you rest in peace!!!


For those who don't belong to my generation, here is a brief detail of his life as provided for in WIKIPEDIA.


Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)[2][3] was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, five of his solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—and the sales of over 750 million albums worldwide. Cited as one of the world's most famous men, Jackson's highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades.

JAMMING WITH THE TWILIGHT DAWN BAND

I just came accross this video taken during the blessing of my rest house located at Eden, Bayabas, Toril, Davao City last November 4, 2006 courtesy of my good friend Peto Diongson.

Singing with me in the video is my good friend Dante dela Cruz and my uncle Nolly Zerna accompanied by the Twilight Dawn Band.

2007 PYG REUNION

Just recently, I browsed my files in my laptop and I came across with some pictures of the 2007 Peformance Youth Group (PYG) reunion.

The said reunion was a whole day affair and was held at my rest house in Eden, Bayabas, Toril, Davao City sometime on December, 2007. The memorable event started with a motocade along the main street of Toril after which the group proceeded to my resthouse at Eden, Bayabas where a thanksgiving mass was held at the chapel adjacent to my house.

Afterwards, a children's entertainment program was held for the children of the members who came highlighted by the performance of a magician. Dinner was then served followed by the main program. The event was graced by Jose " Atong " Ong and City Councilor Kaloy Bello.

As the pictures would show, everybody had a lot of fun during the entire activity.

NONG ATONG'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AT IBA PA.

June 8, 2009 10:00 P.M

Last Saturday June 6, 2009 was one of my most enjoyable Saturday in recent years. My morning started with a sumptous breakfast at my rest house in Eden, Bayabas together with my wife Bebs, 2 kids CJ and FF and my Papa Johnny and Mama Nita. After a short rest, I together with my 2 kids and my father put fertilizers in the fruit trees of my little orchard. It was a lot of fun and a good exercise too as my 2 kids took turns in putting the fertilizers while i was digging holes in the soil around the fruit trees. Afterwards I zipped buco juice from among the coconut trees that I planted to quench my thirst. What a way to start my day! After a short rest I took a bath and afterwards I spent the rest of the morning sleeping to recharge my body for a long night of fun.

After lunch, I went back to my office for some paperworks. At 5:00 P.M I went to my house to change clothes. At 5:30 p.m my long night of fun started. My first stop was the homecoming party of my friend Abet Go who just arrived from Ireland bringing with him his girlfriend from Latvia and their love child. Practically all the hot blooded males in our group which includes me (he..he) were all eyes to Abet's girlfriend who looks like a supermodel. Ice-cold beers were served with kalderetang kambing, kilawin, papaet and sinampalukang kambing as pulutan. Afterwards the lechon was served and it was sooo delicious and crunchy! Afterwards the videoke singing started and I sang my favorite song " Pare Ko " by the Eraserheads. After my song I was given a standing ovation ( mga sipsip !). At around 7:30 P.M I bade Abet goodbye but not after receiving my pasalubong ( a perfume from London. Naks!) Next stop was the birthday party of our acknowledged Godfather of PYG Jose " Atong " Ong.

I arrived at Nong Atong's house at around 8:00 P.M. There were a lot of familiar faces specially those members of the PYG which I also belong. In the presidential table was the birthday celebrant together with the City Mayor of Davao Rodrigo R. Duterte, Brgy. Captain of Toril Poblacion Wilmar " BOboy " Al-ag with his lovely wife, and some other Barangay officials of Toril District and other important guests. I choose to sit at the back near the band to met some of my long lost friends, and to sing, if given the opportunity (he.he ). I was already a little bit tipsy but I was overwhelm with joy to see many of my old friends. After a couple of beers and shots of brandy, I then sang to my heart's contentment together with my old buddies Rexel, Mike, and Joe Cavite, accompanied by the piano man with two beautiful singers as back-up ( ang swerte ko!) . The mayor had already left before we did our thing ( Thanks God!). We could have partied all night but the celebrant also needs to rest. We bade goodbye at around 11:30 P.M but the night was still young so I and my friends Joecavs, Mike, Dennis, Juvy, Toto and another whom I forgot the name proceeded to Jansar's Restro Bar.

The bar was packed to the rafters (literally !) when we arrived. We were lucky that some customers in a table near the stage left thus we were able to occupy their table. We were too eager to sing at the stage but there were many customers who submitted their requested song ahead of us. I told my friend Joecavs to sing the requested song if the person requesting would not come to the stage immediately and I will just take care if someone complained. After a while the song " Careless Whisper " which has now become more popular because of the Sex Video Scandal was played and seing that nobody was approaching the stage, I told Joecavs to sing the song. Joecavs went to the stage and sang the song. In the middle of his singing a sexy girl went on stage and danced and gyrated ala Katrina Halili. The whole bar burst into laughter with Joecavs being referred to as Dr. Hayden Kho (he.he ). After waiting for more than an hour finally I was able to sing my favorite song Pare Ko ( what else ?) and everybody seems to like it as they were also singing while I sang. Another girl went on stage and give me a glass full of red horse beer. ( was she pretty and sexy? secret... ). I managed to empty the glass and after I finished the song I was given a standing ovation. ( Imagine, two standing ovation in a night! ). I parted ways with my friends at around 3 p.m. I went to sleep and woke-up at around 11:00 A.M and spend the rest of the day dealing with a bum stomach and headache caused by a bad hang-over.