NDP08 Theme song (English)
NDP08 Theme song (Chinese)

Daddy managed to get us tickets to NDP NE show 3 Was beaming with excitement all the way from home to the venue! My brother and I were seated at the orange sector, which is the middle section. The view was so much better than last year’s – coz this year we went early. Once we got to our seats, we looked through the goodie bag placed on our seats. This year’s bag looks like a shopping bag!! I think it is quite creative and environmentally friendly.

It started drizzling shortly after. So we searched through the goodie bag to get the cap and poncho. The entire arena transformed to a sea of red because the ponchos were all red. Hehe.. and then the pre-parade started. We were introduced to the stuff in the goodie bags – a lighted cap, a ‘hand shaped’ torch light, Singapore flag, newater, bread, crackers, packet drinks, programe booklet etc. And under every seat, there was a plastic thing that opened up to look like a flower. Its for spinning around if I’m not wrong.

We were entertained by some songs and dances and then the drizzle stopped!! Could feel everyone heaving sighs of relief and the umbrellas disappearing. Took off the ponchos and took out the flag and ‘hand’ to wave. We practiced the marina wave hehe.. I think it looked awesome on screen.

Then it was time for the parade contingent to march out. I was impressed by the band, who were marching for the first time with the contingent. It looked so difficult to play and march at the same time. But they did seem very happy playing and marching at the same time

Once the parade formed up, we were entertained with 3 more songs. One of the songs was performed by a Chinese Opera singer! I believe it’s the first time a dialect song will be performed during the NDP celebrations. I can’t remember the exact words she was singing, but it had to do with soldiers fighting for the country.

As the sky became darker, we were treated to aeriel displays from the ‘dark knights’. Wow!!! They are remarkable pilots. My favorite was when they flew in formation of 6 around the marina area. And then dark knights 5 and 6 did a performance of flying head on towards each other. Haha.. imagine the cheers from the crowds!

And around this point, it started raining again!! Manz.. it was pouring rain okay. We put back the ponchos and basically sat in rain. Haha… can’t remember the last time I did this (perhaps during cedar’s track and field days). I was particularly impressed that the reviewing officer, the education minister, was sitting in the rain too. When this year’s theme song was sung during the finale, I could feel a sense of pride. Celebrating the Singapore spirit…Seeing the sea of red standing together in the rain and hearing the singers (Hady and Joi) sing…
“Shine for Singapore
This is our song
Reach out for the sky, far and beyond
As one we’ll stand, we’re Singapore
It’s here that we belong”

Having spent much of the year away from Singapore, I can’t help but feel happy that I’m back for the NDP season. Haha… as yx says.. its his yearly dose of national education.

The majulah Singapura was played and everyone sang with gusto! This year’s NDP celebrations ended with fireworks that lit up the rainy sky. :):)