GONE TOO SOON. Filipino inmate Dodong Niere (right) feels saddened by the news of Michael Jackson's death Friday (Manila time). Jackson was 50. with AP photo
MANILA, Philippines - Of all the Michael Jackson impersonators, Crisanto âDodong" Niere must look the least like the iconic singer. He doesnât have Jacksonâs chalk-like complexion or his long curls during the height of his fame in the â80s. In fact, Dodong barely has hair left on his head and has an almost toothless grin. But when Dodong performs in the small arena along with 1,400 inmates in Cebuâs Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, he fires up the dance floor like the âKing of Pop". As the whole world is coming to grips with the shocking news of Jacksonâs death on Friday (Manila time), the CPDRCâs star performer is deeply saddened. "He is sad his idol died," an official from the CPDRC who spoke with Dodong told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. The official said the inmates heard of Jacksonâs untimely death in the news, casting a cloud of sorrow all over the prison cells. Dodong used to be a dancer himself before he was jailed for drug charges several years ago. In 2007, the whole world tuned in on Youtube to watch more than 1,400 Cebu inmates â jailed for crimes ranging from drug-trafficking to murder â moonwalk to Jacksonâs iconic âThriller" song. [See:
Cebu inmates take to dancing as exercise] Wearing something reminiscent of Jacksonâs red jacket, Dodong does one nasty dance impersonation. "We forget our problems here (in jail) and with our families," he told GMA Networkâs
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho in 2007. The 4-minute video has now generated 23 million views, which is expected to increase in the coming days as fans scurry online to reminisce about their idol. The inmates have become known worldwide, the CPDRC now conducts performances every last Saturday of the month to more than 400 tourists for free. "For now thereâs no word yet how tomorrowâs performance will be affected with the news," the CPDRC official said.
- GMANews.TV