I was in the car at 8.22pm when they recited the national pledge. It must had been an awesome sight if everyone stopped at whatever they were doing, to recite the pledge. I took a peep at the neighbouring vehicles on the highway, nobody had their fist on their chest. Well, mine were on my chest. Hah...
No National Day Parade for me this year. In fact, I had not been following the parade since they moved to the floating platform. Nothing against the platform, I am really proud of our achievement in its construction and delivery in such a short time. There were other reasons... that I missed it.
As the radio continued to play the familiar national songs, they brought back memories of my favourite NDP moments.
Besides participating as spectator for a couple of times, I was also part of the combined school choir twice (1994 and 1996). Both times, the parades were held at the Kallang National Stadium. During those times, the parades were held at the Padang or Kallang Stadium in alternate years. At Kallang, we had the privilege of sitting on proper wooden benches and taking shelter in the stadium when it rained during the rehearsals. Tho' we did continue with rehearsals if it was just slight drizzling.
Just to set the record straight, the choir did actually sing. Many microphones around the stage captured our youthful voices. Tho' the pre-recorded singing of some selected choir members were also played during the parade.
While the main job of the choir was to sing, the other important job was to execute the choreography of colourful paper fans or ribbons in precision. Besides looking at the conductor, we would be following intently the moves of student leaders on the stage. Oh, I even had a little crush on one of them from MGS. Wahahaha... And I still remember her name. ;-p Hush hush!
Of course, all the Kallang Roar and Kallang Wave started with the choir! :-) You gotta be a spectator in the stadium to enjoy the incredible atmosphere! It was part of the pre-parade segment. That had to be one of the fondest moment.
I remember sitting a few rows behind the celebrity Masters of Ceremony, Gurmit Singh, Diana Ser and Samuel Chong. We got their autographs on our fan props. They were very professional and enthusiastic indeed and gave the choir lotsa attention.
What about food? We always had KFC, Colonel Burger with just the patty and no sauce. Not fantastic, but nobody was complaining lah, what more can fourteen year-olds and sixteen year-olds ask for? Fast food was always welcomed.
I had always enjoyed the parade segment more than the mass display. Although it was similar every year, the parade music from the SAF Military Band and the Guard of Honour march-pass never failed to get my attention. I felt really proud for them. Occasionally, some folks in the parade contingent would faint. But deep down I admired their tenacity to stand still for such long duration, even under the hot sun.
Then, there was the part when we sang the National Anthem and recited the pledge. Those must had been the most patriotic moments in my life. I remember feeling my hairs standing and thinking "I am proud to be a Singaporean". Whatever the reason... it was overwhelming for me.
Since I was in the choir, the national songs have a special place in my heart. Unlike the contemporaries, songs like 'We Are Singapore', 'Count on Me Singapore', 'One People, One Nation, One Singapore', and my favourite 'Stand Up Singapore', had catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics. The theme back then was 'nation building' and remembering the hard work of our forefathers. Till now, I still prefer those songs and can sing for you anytime you want. :p I'm sure friends of my generation will feel the same. :-)
My last favourite moment of NDP was the finale. One of the years, the choir had to sing and walk down from the stands to the running track during the grand finale. At the final moments of the parade, the fireworks filled the sky! I was standing there, staring at the sky, as the fireworks seemed to be eternally raining just above my head! The spectacular light show! The loud explosion! It had got to be the best fireworks experience in my life!
And these... were some of my favourite NDP moments...
No National Day Parade for me this year. In fact, I had not been following the parade since they moved to the floating platform. Nothing against the platform, I am really proud of our achievement in its construction and delivery in such a short time. There were other reasons... that I missed it.
As the radio continued to play the familiar national songs, they brought back memories of my favourite NDP moments.
Besides participating as spectator for a couple of times, I was also part of the combined school choir twice (1994 and 1996). Both times, the parades were held at the Kallang National Stadium. During those times, the parades were held at the Padang or Kallang Stadium in alternate years. At Kallang, we had the privilege of sitting on proper wooden benches and taking shelter in the stadium when it rained during the rehearsals. Tho' we did continue with rehearsals if it was just slight drizzling.
Just to set the record straight, the choir did actually sing. Many microphones around the stage captured our youthful voices. Tho' the pre-recorded singing of some selected choir members were also played during the parade.
While the main job of the choir was to sing, the other important job was to execute the choreography of colourful paper fans or ribbons in precision. Besides looking at the conductor, we would be following intently the moves of student leaders on the stage. Oh, I even had a little crush on one of them from MGS. Wahahaha... And I still remember her name. ;-p Hush hush!
Of course, all the Kallang Roar and Kallang Wave started with the choir! :-) You gotta be a spectator in the stadium to enjoy the incredible atmosphere! It was part of the pre-parade segment. That had to be one of the fondest moment.
I remember sitting a few rows behind the celebrity Masters of Ceremony, Gurmit Singh, Diana Ser and Samuel Chong. We got their autographs on our fan props. They were very professional and enthusiastic indeed and gave the choir lotsa attention.
What about food? We always had KFC, Colonel Burger with just the patty and no sauce. Not fantastic, but nobody was complaining lah, what more can fourteen year-olds and sixteen year-olds ask for? Fast food was always welcomed.
I had always enjoyed the parade segment more than the mass display. Although it was similar every year, the parade music from the SAF Military Band and the Guard of Honour march-pass never failed to get my attention. I felt really proud for them. Occasionally, some folks in the parade contingent would faint. But deep down I admired their tenacity to stand still for such long duration, even under the hot sun.
Then, there was the part when we sang the National Anthem and recited the pledge. Those must had been the most patriotic moments in my life. I remember feeling my hairs standing and thinking "I am proud to be a Singaporean". Whatever the reason... it was overwhelming for me.
Since I was in the choir, the national songs have a special place in my heart. Unlike the contemporaries, songs like 'We Are Singapore', 'Count on Me Singapore', 'One People, One Nation, One Singapore', and my favourite 'Stand Up Singapore', had catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics. The theme back then was 'nation building' and remembering the hard work of our forefathers. Till now, I still prefer those songs and can sing for you anytime you want. :p I'm sure friends of my generation will feel the same. :-)
My last favourite moment of NDP was the finale. One of the years, the choir had to sing and walk down from the stands to the running track during the grand finale. At the final moments of the parade, the fireworks filled the sky! I was standing there, staring at the sky, as the fireworks seemed to be eternally raining just above my head! The spectacular light show! The loud explosion! It had got to be the best fireworks experience in my life!
And these... were some of my favourite NDP moments...
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