by Chris McMorrow

illustration by Rostislav Kotil

illustration colors by Peter Holland

Name: Byron Garcia
Born: c. 1960
Profession: Security consultant for provincial Fillipino gov’t.
Accomplishment: Perfectly re-created dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” using hardened prisoners. One of the most popular viral Internet videos ever.
Nationality: Filipino

→ Philanthropy: 6/10
Approximately 1500 prisoners perform complex choreographed routines to a different song each month as part of rehabilitation program, and the dancers seem to be truly enjoying themselves and have a very public source of pride.
Videos uploaded to the Internet to enlighten other wardens to the positive change at Filipino detention and rehabilitation center.

→ Extremism: 7/10
According to Filipino human rights group Karapatan, the elderly, infirm, and unwilling are beaten if they refuse to participate. They’ve been filing complaints against Garcia since 2004, and an anonymous video on YouTube purports to show the bloody interiors of the prison.
Garcia doesn’t take accusations of mistreatment kindly; however, maintaining that all parites, “Have a good relationship now. Whatever I tell them to do, they do.”

→ Guilt Factor: 4/10
Some condemn the ruthlessly obligatory nature of his program.

→ Mythology / Mythbuster: 7/10
Millions of YouTube viewers have been entertained and inspired by the dancing detainees.

→ Inspiration to Others: 7/10
Despite a handful of inmates sporting tattoos of Garcia’s face, not everyone’s a fan.
Since early 2007, Garcia’s program has reportedly led to a drastic decrease in violence, drug-taking, and gang-related activities at the prison.

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