Cebu provincial jail inmates raise gloved hands in their dance interpretation of the official IEC theme song on Dec. 26. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
AROUND 800 dancing inmates participated in a dance video that will be presented during the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) next month.
Choreographer Vince Rosales said the inmates interpretred the official theme song of the IEC2016 entitled “Christ in Us Our Hope of Glory.”
They also formed the letters ISH, which stands for “Christ is savior for men,” and the chalice in the official logo of IEC.
“This is our way of participating in the IEC. The inmates were happy because they also want to perform and they are offering this dance,” Rosales said.
Inmates dressed in their orange prison uniform had white gloves to emphasize hand movements to match their dance steps.
Rosales said it took the inmates four days to practice for the three-minute presentation, which was recorded last weekend.
“It was easier for the inmates to perform the steps. Also they are disciplined and eager to learn,” he said.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and members of the IEC Committee witnessed the video shoot.
“The delegates were so impressed. They were saying that this is a detention center but they can see faith and joy and then hope. For them this is so different from other detention centers,” Palma said.
“They (inmates) may be inside the detention center but if they live in peace and they have faith, if they believe in Jesus then you know that despite the situation now, life still has meaning and tomorrow has something good to offer,” the prelate added.
Before the IEC dance, the inmates had four other presentations.
Hundreds of visitors and relatives witnessed the performance as well.
Provincial jail consultant Marco Toral said the inmates will hold an IEC performance on January 30. They are also willing to dance upon request.
Takanobu Yamano, a Japanese national from Osaka who witnessed the performance for the first time, said he was impressed.
“If I will be given another chance to witness their performance, I will really watch,” Yamano said.