NDP 08



Spectators attending the National Day Parade (NDP) 08 will be treated to multi-sensory performances that will take place on land, sea and air and even a participant like me did felt the atmosphere. The pre-parade segment, Sparkles of Singapore, will feature a wide range of participants and a highly charged and energetic Bay Show.



The pre-parade segment was hosted by Adrian Pang, Huda Ali, Jean Danker, Ebi Shankara and Michelle Chong, open with mascleta, a pyrotechnics symphony choreographed to the beat and rhythm of the accompanying music.
First time performance include: 21 pairs of wheelchair and able-bodied dancers performing a cha-cha and samba inspired dance, a 530-strong line-dancing displaying by line dancers from all walks of life, 300 young cheerleaders displaying an array of breathtaking and synchronized moves and rising jazz star, Nathan Hartono, leading 30 multi-national children and the choir in a rendition of "Where I Belong".
The Bay comes alive with a four-minutes Bay Show that includes pargo jets, wakeboarders, jet skis and stunt kites, and F3000 powerboats to pump up the adrenalin of the audience and spectators around the Bay.
Traditional crowd favourites continue to thrill their performances. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Red Lions performs a military freefall display as it lands on the promenade in front of the spectators. The SAF Military Band lead motorcyclists and precision drill squad members from the SAF Military Command and the Home Team to wow the crowds with their stunts and display complemented with pyrotechnics even before the actual parade commence.



The parade has been a traditional staple of the National Day Parade. Participants of the parade include members of the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force, representatives of the different unions and Ministries as well as students in uniformed groups (such as the National Cadet Corps, National Police Cadet Corps, the Singapore Red Cross, the Scouts).
The parade traditionally starts with the forming up of the parade. Right after everyone then wait for the arrival of the members of Parliament, members of the Cabinent, and the Prime Minister, in that order. Upon the arrival of each group, the parade will present its salute and present arms.



Lastly once the President has arrived, the Parade Commander calls for a full salute, during which the National Anthem was played accompanied by a fly-past of the State Flag. It was after the inspection before President returns to the podium for the Feu-de-Joie presented by the Guard-of-honor contingents. At the end of it, it was the march past before the real excitement begins.



The National Day Parade (NDP) 08 will feature a show that drew inspiration from the different facets of the Singapore Spirit. Set against the city skyline, the Show will be a dazzling light, water and audiovisual spectacle.



There came a time where every audience in the National Day Parade 2008 will look up to the skies. Nothing poetic here, they are merely indulging themselves in the magnificent performances by our very own aerobatics team, the RSAF Black Knights.
Performing for the very first time at Marina Bay, the Black Knights made their triumphant return to the National Day Parade celebrations since their performance in NDP 2000's Carnival at Marina South. The Black Knights will feature the full team of six F-16C Fighting Falcons.
These new planes will be capable of a multitude of manoeuvres. But the Black Knights have specially selected manoeuvres that are congruent to this year's NDP theme - Celebrating the Singapore Spirit. The Black Knights performed breathtaking aerobatics to portray the spirit of; Unity, Confidence, Compassion, Determination and Dynamism.

An excellently coordinated performance with a dynamic combination of colour and sound. As far as the Show segment of NDP 2008 is concerned, this description is surely appropriate.



The Show comprises three acts, Search! Pioneers of a New Age, Sense! Artists of a New Landscape, Spring! Creators of a New World and culminates in the grand finale, Shine! Singapore Spirit.
Search! reminiscences our forefathers' will and courage to explore. It also showcases their spirit of determination and pursuit of excellence. Sense! expresses the spirit of creativity and our vision for the future, Spring! draws inspiration from the versatility of Singaporeans, always ready to adapt to changes and on the lookout for new opportunities. The grand finale, Shines! sees all performers uniting and returning to the stage for a dramatic climax to end the show and accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display that will ignite the night sky above to illuminate each and every Singaporean's hopes and dreams.

The Show segment (which commences directly after the Black Knights performance) begins with a Prologue, titled "Awakening the Singapore Spirit". The skies begin to darken as the night approaches and the stage is filled with a display of lights. Water shoots out of the fountains in front of the promenade as the stage becomes empty. The audience waits in suspense for the Show performers to emerge.
And out they come. Act One, titled "Search! Pioneers Of A New Age" begins with a surging of dancers dressed in bird and explorer costumes onto the stage, while large bay birds come into view on the water. These "birds" represent our forefathers coming to Singapore in search of a better life. Navigators on large sails and Asian Drum Dancers follow with their scintillating performances, paying tribute to the resilience of our forefathers. Silat Fighters then come charging out with a bang, rounding up the act with their show of energy and speed.
With their lives becoming more settled, our forefathers then took stock of their surroundings and the opportunities they offered. In Act Two, titled "Sense! Artists Of A New Landscape", Statues of Inspiration rise up on the promenade, representing the various intellectual domains Singaporeans have pursued. Dancers with Fluorescent Umbrellas, Skyrunners and Hip-Hop Dancers add to the depiction of creativity and dynamism in Singaporeans.

Naturally, taking stock was aimed at waiting for the right chance. Act 3, "Spring! Creators Of A New World" features Merlion Performers dancing around a Pearl Lady. Singapore is a crossroads of world culture, and we spring at this opportunity by daring to be different. Energy though, is the order of the day (or the order of the act, for that matter) as Flaggers perform with remarkable dexterity on the stage, honouring the commitment.
Singapore and all Singaporeans have come a long way in securing our future, and we shine in the promise of this shared future together. The finale, titled "Shine! Singapore Spirit" sees all the Show performers gathering on the stage once again. A medley of National Day songs will be played, as everyone soaks in the atmosphere.
As the fireworks burst into the night sky, amidst the backdrop of the city lights, the Singapore Spirit truly comes alive. Its colourful combination was a beautiful sight to behold. The highly anticipated crowd favourite did not fail to amaze and live up to expectations. It complemented the night performances to perfection and at the grand finale, the fantastic display of fireworks seemed like rainbows of the night. The crowd eagerly responded with cheers and applause as they watch the fireworks blanket the night sky..



The audience obviously enjoyed themselves as well as those involved and had participated enthusiastically during the parade. It was definitely a memorable and engaging night to remember! to a shared future..

reports from several sites and the official site of ndp 08