In their Youtube videos, the inmates usually wear their uniforms with the exception of a few costumes needed for the dance. In this case, they were all wearing black shirts.

Those are Michael Jackson shirts. The orange pants are really a part of their uniform. We asked permission if we could make them use the Michael Jackson "This Is It" T-shirt. We had them made here and gave them [to the inmates] as gifts.

Were the inmates paid a fee for appearing in this video?

No. This was voluntary on their part. They were willing to do it. It was very emotional even for them–even they were crying.

Speaking of crying, the  Inquirer said you cried when the inmates performed "We Are The World" in a surprise set. What moved you to tears?

Everyone was crying. The way the prisoners were performing, they were like professionals. It was very heartwarming. They really welcomed us. They were really happy. They were rehearsing from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. When they resumed at 7 a.m. on the same day, they were still happy as can be. That touched us.

We were a bit surprised to see Will Devaughn in the video. How did he get involved in the production?

We invited him to come over so that we would have a local celebrity in the show. He was the only one we invited because he's managed by one of my partners, Dondon Monteverde.

Behind the scenes at the Cebu inmates' international video shoot

They say that every dance has a story, so is there a story behind this particular performance?

"The Drill" is the introduction to "They Don't Care About Us." Michael Jackson wrote that song when he visited a prison in Brazil. He wrote it in honor of the inmates and the downtrodden. Then they just added "The Drill" for the "This Is It" concert.

Does Travis Payne have any future plans involving the inmates?

We're talking about many, many projects because Travis Payne fell in love with the whole idea. As a matter of fact, it was such a very emotional experience for all of them that they wanted to do other projects that might involve the inmates [some time] this year… What exactly? we still don't know. It's still on the drawing board.

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Unlike its theatrical release, fans will get to watch new additional footage and some interesting revelations about the King of Pop.

Watch the video here.

Photos courtesy of Ernest Escaler.