SINGAPORE : The founding of Singapore takes centrestage in Act 1
of this year's National Day Parade, and this will be dramatised by
nearly 800 students - the largest group this year.
Chua Chu Kang Secondary School has 1,500 students and half of them
are in this year's parade.
Getting them into character wasn't easy, the 727 performers have
less than two hours to get ready.
Besides all the school teachers, nearly 30 ex-students and parents
were roped in to help out.
Said Sreelatha Ramadas, a parent volunteer: "It's been fun taking
part in this National Day Celebrations. I think it's been special
because he's in the first year of Secondary."
This is the largest scale operation the school has ever done.
Some of the boys have never worn make-up before, but looking pretty
for national day is something they are proud to do.
What also makes this performance special are the foreign students
taking part in the parade for the very first time.
Like 14-year-old He Qiaodan, who's been studying in Singapore for 5
years.
"I really love Singapore and I really enjoy this celebration with
all my friends. I feel proud and excited. There was once when I was
involved in the national day celebrations in China. Both
celebrations were just as great. The love for the country is all
there," said He Qiaodan, a Chua Chu Kang Secondary School
student.
Another foreign student Syed Nafe Mokammel said: "Even though I was
borned in Bangladesh, I think I feel more of a sense of belonging
to Singapore. Therefore I'm very proud to be performing in the
National Day Parade"
And 20 buses were chartered to ferry these budding performers to
the Padang for their debut at national day parade preview.
- CNA /ls