World mourns for Michael Jackson even in COLOMBIA

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hZDkb2aMRQAIdr2...

From the man in Colombia who was named after the King of Pop, to Malaysians who named a soya drink for him, to a generation of people around the world who have tried to moonwalk, the news stunned the world.

Michael Jackson's death prompted broadcasters from Sydney to Seoul to interrupt programmes, while fans remembered a "tortured genius" whose squeals and sliding moves captivated a generation and who sparked global trends in music, dance and fashion.

Even world leaders weighed in. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called it "lamentable news," although he criticised the media for giving it so much attention. Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who had met Jackson, said: "We lost a hero of the world."

The grief crossed all borders.

"My heart is heavy because my idol died," said Byron Garcia, security consultant at a Philippine prison who organised the famous video of 1,500 inmates doing a synchronized dance to "Thriller." The video has had 23.4 million hits on YouTube. Mr Garcia said the inmates in Cebu will hold a tribute for Jackson on Saturday with their "Thriller" dance and a minute of prayer.

The flamboyant former Philippine first lady, Imelda Marcos, who cheered Jackson's acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005, said she cried on hearing the news.

"Michael Jackson enriched our lives, made us happy," she said in a statement. "The accusations, the persecution caused him so much financial and mental anguish. He was vindicated in court, but the battle took his life. There is probably a lesson here for all of us."

In Bogota, Colombia, a 24-year-old tattoo artist named Michael Tarquino said his parents named him after Jackson. He recalled growing up with electricity rationing for hours at a time and waiting for the power to return. "When the light came back on I would play my Michael Jackson LP, and I'd stand at the window and sing along," he said.

Japanese fans were always among Jackson's most passionate supporters, and news of his death came as a huge shock. Michiko Suzuki, a music critic who met Jackson several times in the 1980s, said the country was likely to be mourning for some time.

"Everyone was imitating his 'moonwalk' when it was a hit. He was a true superstar," she said.

By mariacvetanoski on Jun 26, 2009, 04:21 in Off Topic.

mariacvetanoski says on Jun 26, 2009, 04:22: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=colombia news&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=eK5ESoHnGpqqtgfolvnaAw&sa=X&oi=news_group&ct=title&resnum=629283393 Save the street children of Colombia Now!! 0 funny, 0 helpful.

mariacvetanoski says on Jun 26, 2009, 04:39: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=michael jackson in colombia&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=WrNEStGrFofKtgeL6Zm7Ag&sa=X&oi=news_group&ct=title&resnum=922545057 Save the street children of Colombia Now!! 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Man Tequila says on Jun 26, 2009, 22:05: Last time I was in Cartagena, one bar must have played ten MJ videos in a row. I always enjoy listening to Colombians sing in "English", but they did better with MJ than they do with Rasputin. Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez) 0 funny, 0 helpful.

christobeldawg says on Jun 26, 2009, 22:40: I love listening to them sing in English, when they obviously have no idea what the words mean, because they are always having so much fun, and because they could care less what the words may or not mean. traveling hopefully is always better than arriving 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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