'Just do your best': Families of Red Lions show support at Bishan NDP @ Heartlands celebration despite gloomy weather, Singapore News
AsiaOne was at the Bishan NDP @ Heartlands celebration at about 3.15pm, where more than 200 people were standing in the queue, waiting to enter the event at the open field opposite Bishan Circle Line.
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing was also spotted engaging residents at Bishan before the event started. He shook hands and took selfies with them.
Due to heavy winds, the Singapore parachute team Red Lions, who was initially expected to arrive at 4pm, were delayed, but the audiences stayed enthusiastic.
At 4.15pm, the C-130 flight carrying the Red Lions hovered in the cloudy skies above Bishan for more than 10 minutes before the seven members, including Master Warrant Officer Leonard Tan, attempted the jump about 15 minutes later.
The moment they were out of the plane and in the skies, hundreds of spectators raised their phones above their head to capture the moment while others waved the Singapore flag at them.
The men hovered in the skies for about five minutes before the first man landed on the field to roaring cheers.
The septet gathered before waving to the crowds. Some of them further engaged the audiences by handing out iron-on patches to them.
Among the spectators is a wife of one of the Red Lions, who was there to show her support together with their two children and extended family.
Speaking to AsiaOne at the event, the 40-year-old said: "We are excited to be here! We were also watching the weather, because it's really cloudy, so [we are expecting that] he may or may not jump. We are glad to see that he was able to attempt the jump."
She also added that her husband had been involved in parachuting for about a decade and she had always been worried about him getting injured. At the same time though, she proclaimed that she is proud of his "experience and courage."
When asked how she supported him, she shared that she will just tell him to "just do your best, be safe - the kids are well taken care of."
The man's sister-in-law added that their whole family was there to support him and it was "really nice to be able to see him [parachuting] at close proximity."
The 43-year-old added: "We were super excited and super proud of him."
At about 6pm, mobile columns including the Leopard 2SG Tank, Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle and Light Strike Vehicle arrived at the road beside the field at Bishan.
In the evening, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister of National Development of Singapore Chee Hong Tat and member of Parliament Gan Siow Huang were also spotted greeting residents at the event.
[[nid:721158]]
yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com
No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Today in Pictures, Aug 11, 2025
A Red Lion parachutist approaching an open field beside Junction 8 in Bishan, as part of 2025 National Day heartland festivities on Aug 10, 2025. The Red Lions team is best known for its free-fall displays at the annual National Day Parade. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- AsiaOne
'Just do your best': Families of Red Lions show support at Bishan NDP @ Heartlands celebration despite gloomy weather, Singapore News
Despite the rainy weather this afternoon, everyone's spirits were uplifted just by basking in the atmosphere at the heartland celebration at Bishan today (Aug 10). AsiaOne was at the Bishan NDP @ Heartlands celebration at about 3.15pm, where more than 200 people were standing in the queue, waiting to enter the event at the open field opposite Bishan Circle Line. Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing was also spotted engaging residents at Bishan before the event started. He shook hands and took selfies with them. Due to heavy winds, the Singapore parachute team Red Lions, who was initially expected to arrive at 4pm, were delayed, but the audiences stayed enthusiastic. At 4.15pm, the C-130 flight carrying the Red Lions hovered in the cloudy skies above Bishan for more than 10 minutes before the seven members, including Master Warrant Officer Leonard Tan, attempted the jump about 15 minutes later. The moment they were out of the plane and in the skies, hundreds of spectators raised their phones above their head to capture the moment while others waved the Singapore flag at them. The men hovered in the skies for about five minutes before the first man landed on the field to roaring cheers. The septet gathered before waving to the crowds. Some of them further engaged the audiences by handing out iron-on patches to them. Among the spectators is a wife of one of the Red Lions, who was there to show her support together with their two children and extended family. Speaking to AsiaOne at the event, the 40-year-old said: "We are excited to be here! We were also watching the weather, because it's really cloudy, so [we are expecting that] he may or may not jump. We are glad to see that he was able to attempt the jump." She also added that her husband had been involved in parachuting for about a decade and she had always been worried about him getting injured. At the same time though, she proclaimed that she is proud of his "experience and courage." When asked how she supported him, she shared that she will just tell him to "just do your best, be safe - the kids are well taken care of." The man's sister-in-law added that their whole family was there to support him and it was "really nice to be able to see him [parachuting] at close proximity." The 43-year-old added: "We were super excited and super proud of him." At about 6pm, mobile columns including the Leopard 2SG Tank, Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle and Light Strike Vehicle arrived at the road beside the field at Bishan. In the evening, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister of National Development of Singapore Chee Hong Tat and member of Parliament Gan Siow Huang were also spotted greeting residents at the event. [[nid:721158]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- AsiaOne
NDP 2025: More than 27,000 people throng Padang as festivities kick off, Singapore News
The weather forecast in the morning of National Day Parade (NDP) warned of thundery showers in several areas across Singapore later in the day. Instead, the 27,000 spectators, most wearing red and white, thronged the stands at the Padang on Saturday (Aug 9) under the blazing afternoon sun for the National Day Parade. The gates opened around 4pm, and as spectators made their way to their seats, many shielded themselves from the heat with umbrellas. Farina Jumat, 28 and her sister Farisah, 19, went even further. The pair told AsiaOne that they 'came prepared'— with portable fans. Farina, a pre-school teacher, said it was raining when they left home at Bukit Batok two hours ago. 'It's really hot now, but I'm looking forward to the parade. Happy SG60,' she added. Adeline Toh, 55, is attending the NDP for the first time as a spectator. Toh, who was with her husband, William, told AsiaOne at the Padang said that she was a performer at the NDP held at the former National Stadium in 1985. The patient service executive said: "I've been trying to get a ticket for more than 40 years. "We've been watching the previous NDPs at home and at Marina Bay. I'm sure we will have the best seat for fireworks later." More than 200,000 people are expected around Marina Bay area to enjoy the festivities as part of an "expanded canvas" to mark Singapore's 60th birthday. The pre-parade segment in Padang is expected to begin at 5pm with a musical film by singer Benjamin Kheng and his original NDP tune Makin' Our Way. Transitioning from the screen, 59 students from the Institute of Technical Education and 100 volunteers from TOUCH Community Services will take to the stage in vibrant costumes in a dance performance. In total, more than 3,000 performers and artistes converging from various schools, ministries and organisations are involved in this year's NDP. They will be performing on a 360 deg moving platform, in what has been described by organisers as the largest mobile stage in NDP history. There is also a nine-meter mobile floating stage in Marina Bay mounted on a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Fast Craft Utility, where Kheng will sing with 12 dancers from the Music and Drama Company. This will be followed by the Jump of Unity, featuring the Red Lions parachutists from perennial crowd favourites the Red Lions and naval divers from the RSN. It is the first time the two parachute teams will land at separate venues at the NDP. Another first? The Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps is fielding its first full contingent and the inaugural appearance of the Singapore Civil Defence Force guard-of-honour contingent. They are part of the parade featuring 2,100 participants in 40 marching contingents from the Singapore Armed Forces, Home Team, uniformed groups as well as social and economic groups. For those enjoying the festivities at home, look out for the aerial state flag fly-past of two CH-47 heavy lift helicopters, and escorted by two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters. The flag fly-past will be making its way across the island from 5.30pm to 6.20pm. The show segment then kicks off as dawn turns to dusk. It will be told across four acts, each inspired by the words and lines from the National Anthem, Majulah Singapura. NDP2025 culminates in a fireworks show specially designed for SG60. [[nid:720908]]
