NDP 2009

last SG · 2009-07-03T00:47:27+00:00

cut the thing and save the resources and money to give to the poor singaporeans........

QX179R SG

NDP organisers encouraging Singaporeans to be part of Pledge Moment

The organisers of this year’s National Day Parade are inviting Singaporeans to join in the Pledge Moment.

They’re encouraging Singaporeans to spend 30 seconds to recite the Pledge, reflect on its meaning and reaffirm our commitment to the nation on its 44th birthday.

To make the moment, the Singapore Civil Defence Force will sound the chime though its islandwide public warning system at 8.22pm on the 9th of August.

As a key partner, MediaCorp is leveraging on its many media platforms and star power, to get Singaporeans to come together and say the Pledge - with one voice.

From tomorrow, television and radio trailers, print and online ads on The Pledge Moment will be shown across MediaCorp's multiple platforms.

Radio deejays will also be talking about The Pledge Moment and the National Day Parade during their shows.

For the first time during National Day, MediaCorp's 12 radio stations will stop its regular programmes before 8.22pm, to bring The Pledge Moment to listeners - wherever they are.

People on-the-go can also join in The Pledge Moment by catching the National Day Parade show on MediaCorp's TV Mobile and certain digital outdoor screens operated by MediaCorp.

MediaCorp will be bringing the National Day Parade show "live" on its television channels, radio stations and a specially created microsite as a live streaming site.

--938Live

QX179R SG

NDP organisers promise surprises for audience during aerial display segment

SINGAPORE : The aerial display is one of the most highly anticipated portions of the National Day Parade. And organisers are promising a show to remember this year, with some surprises thrown in as well.

The Black Knights were a big hit last year, delighting crowds with their precision moves and their sweet salute to the nation.

But this time, the elite aerobatics team from the Republic of Singapore Air Force won't be making an appearance. Instead, the traditional bomb burst will be executed by three regular F-16s, swooping in at 800 kilometres an hour.

And for the first time, against the fading daylight, the pilots will switch on their after-burners, revealing rings of blue behind the aircraft.

The upcoming Integrated Resort and other Marina Bay developments form quite a spectacular backdrop to this year's aerial display. But with all this construction activity going on, much of it in the last 12 months, show planners had to make sure that none of the buildings or cranes pose any danger to the pilots.

This year's aerial display will also see the return of familiar crowd pleasers, the Red Lions.

And in the Total Defence Display segment, a Chinook hovers just three metres above the Singapore River.

But organisers said the chopper steers clear of lands at all times, so spectators get the thrills and perhaps some spills without any danger.

Lt-Colonel Joachim Lee, chairman, Air Participation, NDP 2009, said: "When the winds are a little bit stronger and at the right direction, at times you will get a little bit of a spray. I think most the audience will be okay with that. I guess it gives a little bit of atmosphere to NDP itself, it is part of the experience, sensory experience for the audience."

But for some, nothing beats the sight of the Singapore flag borne by a single Chinook, escorted by a trio of Apache helicopters. It is a symbol of the nation and its people.

- CNA/ms

QX179R SG

S'pore's 4 self-help groups take part in joint Nat'l Day Celebrations

SINGAPORE: Singapore's four self-help groups (SHGs) got together on Monday as part of the Joint SHGs National Day Celebrations 2009.

They are the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Eurasian Association (EA), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) and Yayasan MENDAKI.

Reflecting on this year's National Day theme, around 180 staff, beneficiaries and volunteers from the four groups recited the pledge in the four official languages.

The "Celebrating Cohesive Diversity" project was also revealed.

Each art piece was inspired by each different ethnic community's uniqueness.

Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Lim Swee Say, said: "This celebration is a timely reminder for us that in many other countries, being multi-racial, being multi-religious can be a weakness for them. But in Singapore, we actually turned this multi-racial society of Singapore into our uniqueness, into our strength."

- CNA/vm

QX179R SG

Singapore Flyer among popular spots to catch NDP

SINGAPORE: The National Day Parade show is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. If you haven't got your ticket, don't worry – there are plenty of other spots to catch a view of this year's show.

Besides the Marina Bay parade area, one could also catch the visual feast of aerial acrobatics and colourful costumes from Fullerton Hotel, Marina Square and the Esplanade.

Some Singaporeans said many of the hotels around the Marina Bay area offer unparalleled views of the show.

But if a room with a view is a little out of your budget, you won't have to go far to find another alternative – just turn on your television set and watch the live telecast at home.

However, if you really want to soak in the atmosphere, going around in circles could be your best bet.

Patsy Ong, managing director, Adval Brand Group, said: "The Singapore Flyer is probably the best place to view the National Day Parade. The floating platform is so near us and because it is also a moving venue, at every altitude, when the capsule moves, you look at different things."

Many Singaporeans would agree that the higher you go, the better the view. With the fireworks being one of the parade's highlights, taking a ride on the Singapore Flyer will ensure that National Day will be celebrated with a brilliant difference.

The Singapore Flyer said it has received more than 1,400 advance bookings so far. It expects up to 20 per cent of its customers to pre-book their tickets.

- CNA/so

QX179R SG

NDP 2009 to feature 21-gun salute on water

SINGAPORE: This year's National Day Parade (NDP) will feature its first 21-gun salute on water.

Organisers decided to move the gun salute from land to water to bring it closer to the audience. It is now 200 metres away from the gallery.

Those taking part in the gun salute have to go through additional training since April as they have to operate in a small area.

To look into the safety aspects, medics will be on the floating platform while lifeguards will be on standby should anyone fall into the water.

The gunmen will also have to start moving the five canons onto the floating platform from noon.

Gun positioning commander for National Day Parade 2009, Lieutenant Kelvin Soh, said: "The most difficult part will have to be the additional hours that we spent on bringing the guns up the M3G (the floating platform) because they are bulky and definitely we need a lot of manual work to be done."

- CNA/yt

QX179R SG

Two new fireworks effects at NDP

Two new fireworks effects will be displayed during the National Day Parade this year.

The Fireworks Committee of NDP09 expects the crowd to be bowled over by the fireworks show.

Saifulbahri Ismail reports.

Shutter bugs, get out your cameras.

There will be fire in the sky, as Marina Bay is lit once more with a colourful, dazzling spectacle of fireworks this National Day.

It's arguably the most anticipated segment of the parade.

And Chairman of the Fireworks Committee, Lieutenant Colonel Tham Tiem Foo has a few surprises in store :

"So for NDP 2009, there's two new effects that we're bringing in. One is a red coloured double heart, and the other one is actually a silver star. So, these effects will actually be released at the tail end of the theme song, and a little bit after the pledge."

The fireworks will be fired from three barges anchored around Marina Bay.

Each will be firing different effects :

"Right behind at the tail end of he stage there's two mid-level barges. Those barges will be firing what we call multiple-short kicks to give you the fan effects. And last but not least there's the high level barge, it's anchored at the centre of Marina Bay. Those are the ones that will give you the high level shell effects and that's where the double heart and silver star will be firing from."

Spectators will only get to enjoy two and a half minutes of the display.

Too short?

Lieutenant Colonel Tham says the quality of the show doesn't depend on its duration :

"Its actually not the amount that you fire, it's how the effect is being fired upon and how it actually blend in and complement the show that gives you the desired effect that will wow the audience. That's more important. The duration sometimes don't really give you the wow factor, it's actually how you complement the effect that the creative director wanted to come out of the show."

Besides the main fireworks, the crowd can expect pyrotechnics display throughout the NDP show.

--938Live

QX179R SG

More practice jumps for Red Lions ahead of NDP

SINGAPORE: The Red Lions, the Singapore Armed Forces' parachuting team, will be one of the highlights at this year's National Day Parade (NDP).

12 Red Lions will be performing their signature parachute jumps and this year, they face the task of negotiating round the upcoming integrated hotels around the Marina area.

The Red Lions have also more reasons to be concerned about having a safe and smooth landing.

With the stage now much closer to the audience, the men are having more practice sessions than ever before.

The team will have to make at least 10 practice jumps before August 9.

- CNA/yt

QX179R SG

A cappella, mass chorale singing at NDP 2009

SINGAPORE: The National Day Parade (NDP 2009) on Sunday at Marina Bay will kick off with a performance that will get the audience in the festive mood.

Cheerleaders, who are students from the various Institute of Education (ITE) campuses, will open the pre-parade segment of the show to the tune of funky music.

During the parade, these cheerleaders will also guide the audience in some interactive game segments.

And it's not just all dance. There will also be an "a cappella" rendition of the National Anthem.

Besides the "a cappella" performance, there will also be mass chorale singing.

For the first time, more than 300 participants from the Singapore Dikir Barat Federation will be taking part in the mass chorale singing.

That will open the second chapter of the NDP 2009 show.

"Selamat Datang" or "welcome".....the leader of the group will start the "call" at the beginning of the segment before everyone joins in, singing in unison.

This performance reflects the warmth of the Malay community in welcoming the immigrants centuries ago.

The Singapore Dikir Barat Federation was invited by the NDP 2009 EXCO as early as November last year to take part in the NDP, and rehearsals started since March at several army camps before moving to the actual NDP venue.

From the fireworks to the NDP goodie bags and even the logistics, everything is made possible with the contributions of sponsors.

Despite the economic meltdown, the number of sponsors for this year's NDP is still comparable to those of last year's. In fact, some have increased their sponsorship by some 20 percent.

And, the NDP organising committee said it managed to secure some dedicated sponsors.

Colonel Ang Heng, chairman of sponsorship & celebrations, National Day Parade Committee, said: "In this financial climate, I think it's particularly valuable and particularly heartwarming to find our long-term sponsors who continue to support us. In some cases, some even (contributed) more than what they used to. It's significant... (to see) how they really believe in NDP, and how they see it as a meaningful role to bring a good birthday celebration to their fellow Singaporeans."

It may be the economic downturn now and budgets for National Day decorations in the heartlands may have shrunk - some by as much as 70 percent - but celebrations have not been dampened.

In one neighbourhood, recycled materials like water bottles and compact discs were used as decorations. These water bottles are lit at night, using bulbs to brighten them up.

- CNA/ir

QX179R SG

MediaCorp broadcasts National Day Parade 2009 "live"

SINGAPORE: It is Singapore's 44th birthday this Sunday and to help everyone be part of the celebrations, the National Day Parade will be telecast "live" by MediaCorp, across its TV, radio and online platforms.

Singaporeans and local viewers can enjoy the parade proceedings on Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Suria, Vasantham, okto and TVMobile "live" from 6.15pm to 8.30pm.

The commentary on Channel 5, okto and TVMobile will be in English; Channel 8 and U in Mandarin; Suria in Malay and Vasantham in Tamil.

Viewers in Asia will be able to catch the National Day Parade "live" on Channel NewsAsia International from 6.30pm to 8.30pm Singapore/Hong Kong time.

MediaCorp's radio stations will cover the parade "live" over 938LIVE, Capital 95.8FM, Warna 94.2FM and Oli 96.8FM from 6:15pm to 8:30pm in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil respectively.

This year's parade includes the nationwide Pledge Moment. MediaCorp's eight other radio stations as well as the outdoor digital screens managed by MediaCorp will stop its regular programmes before 8.22pm to bring the Pledge Moment to listeners and people on the streets.

For those who want a more interactive experience, viewers in Singapore and overseas can log on here and be their own parade director.

The website has six different camera views and viewers get to choose what they want to see.

- CNA/vm

QX179R SG

Singapore celebrates 44th birthday with party by the bay

SINGAPORE: Singapore celebrated its 44th birthday with a massive party by the bay - the National Day Parade (NDP) at the Marina Bay Floating Platform.

Over 27,000 people watched the NDP from the parade stands while thousands more caught the show around the bay area, on television and online.

It was a sea of red and white at the parade ground as the nation gathered for its biggest party of the year.

In the early part of the show, three F-16s swooped across the bay in what is known as the salute to the nation, wowing the crowd.

There was also a thrilling police boat chase on the Singapore River just metres away from the crowd, and some spills too - literally - with a Chinook flying low over the water.

Then it was all eyes on the skies as the audience caught the freefallers parachuting down to the parade ground.

Pomp and ceremony came in the more formal part of the show, with the
guard-of-honour inspection by President SR Nathan as well as the 21-gun salute.

There was also a march past that for the first time saw contingents marching along a 3.2km stretch of road and past famous city landmarks just outside the bayfront area.

In addition, a staple at these annual shows - cultural performances to underscore the country's multi-ethnic mix, but with enough twists to keep the crowd entertained.

And what's a party without music? Local rock band Electrico performed their special composition for the occasion "What Do You See?".

Then in a special moment for a country which has been through some turbulent times this year, the bayfront turned silent at exactly 8.22pm for the participants to recite the national pledge.

It was the exact moment when organisers hoped, for the first time, all Singaporeans - even those outside the parade ground - would stop what they were doing to put their hand on their heart and recite the pledge.

Following that was an explosive finale to the parade as the brilliant fireworks display lit up the skies and dazzled the audience.

Singaporeans weren't the only ones celebrating the country's 44th birthday.

Tourists and expatriates were also at the NDP party, and they were impressed.

"This is on a very big scale compared to local carnivals....." said a British woman.

"I like how everyone's here for one cause.....there are so many different races," said an American man.

The parade may be over but the party has only just begun for many others.

In fact, hundreds of performers were dancing the night away, and they've got every reason to celebrate, having put on such a great show - full of colour, music and action.

- CNA/ir

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