Who doesn’t remember the flash mob phenomenon some years back? There was a time where you could visit a department store or find yourself in a central area, when suddenly music would start and dozens of people would sprout out with more soon joining them, starting this amazing synchronized choreography of all-time favorite songs!
The most incredible thing about the flash mobs was the fact that such big groups of people would collaborate and train not only on the choreography but to catch the unaware public by surprise.
We have seen many flash mobs in different and unexpected locations over the years, such as train stations or big stores. However, the one in our story beats them all, as this flash mob was organized at the most unconventional location that you could think of!
Meet the inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines, who back in 2007 put together and delivered one of the best-synchronized choreographies of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in the form of a flash mob.
It would have been any other casual day, “lounging” at the courtyard for these inmates in orange, until an inmate with a “feminine” figure at his side enters the yard’s area. Then we see some of the other inmates, trudging their hunched bodies forward, resembling a lot of zombie figures.
You then realize that what they are performing is none other than Jackson’s Thriller! And as you can see in the video, they really nailed it!
Their flash mob was recorded in a video and posted on YouTube and soon became viral. The video has accumulated over the last 13 years nearly 60 million views! What an incredible outcome for an incredible group of people who even in a “dark” place, as someone characterizes the prison’s premises, they found a way to bring light and hope into their lives.
Unsurprisingly, after the success of their first flash mob endeavor, the same inmates 2 years after their first video, they organized a second flash mob, again performing another of Michael Jackson’s songs, Dangerous.
Since then and over the years, the inmates of the Cebu Detention center have organized numerous other flash mobs, showing in this way their everlasting love towards music and dancing.
People watching their videos on YouTube really loved their performances and rushed to show their support through positive messages like the following, “I really want to see them perform one day, this is so mesmerizing. Humans can really accomplish incredible things if they use their capabilities in a good way”.
It’s really beautiful what can be accomplished when people put all their energy towards something creative and peaceful such as a dancing routine. A video of a simple flash mob yet at a place that you would least suspect became an inspiration for so many people around the world. Maybe it’s also because of the detention center itself that tries so hard to create a more pleasant living environment for its prisoners.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, you could watch Netflix’s docuseries, Happy Jail that is talking about this center. Also, you can find all their flash mobs on this YouTube Channel.
If you would like to watch the inmates’ Thriller performance, check out the video below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
