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Straits Times
11-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore turns 60: Padang and Marina Bay dazzle in milestone celebration
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Fireworks illuminating the night sky above Marina Bay during the National Day Parade on Aug 9. SINGAPORE – In a grand celebration of Singapore's diamond jubilee, tens of thousands flocked to the heart of the city-state on Aug 9 to mark the Republic's 60th year of independence. To allow more to soak in the pomp and pageantry of the birthday bash, parade organisers extended the celebrations beyond the Padang to Marina Bay, where about 200,000 people gathered. At the bay, some spots were so popular that Merlion Park and the area in front of One Fullerton were closed by 4.38pm – an hour before the National Day Parade (NDP) kicked off at 5.40pm. The earlier sweltering heat gave way to a passing drizzle shortly before the parade got under way. A passing drizzle does not dampen the spirits of the spectators. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Kicking off the milestone parade, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made a surprise appearance with his electric guitar in the pre-parade video Makin' Our Way. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong arriving at the National Day Parade on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Another crowd pleaser came at 5.50pm, when seven naval divers leapt from an H225M medium-lift helicopter, descending about 1,830m into the bay – flippers first. They were followed about five minutes later by seven Red Lions parachutists, whose much-awaited arrival at the Padang delighted the crowd. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Lower-wage retail workers to receive up to 6% pay bump from Sept 1 Singapore Keppel to sell M1's telco business to Simba for $1.43b, says deal expected to benefit consumers Singapore ST Explains: Who owns Simba, the company that is buying M1? Singapore ST Explains: What is Vers and which HDB estates could it be rolled out in? Singapore For Vers to work, compensation should account for varied needs of HDB flat owners: Observers Singapore PM Wong's National Day Rally speech to begin at 6.45pm on Aug 17 Singapore Ong Ye Kung rebuts complaints about treatment of stallholders at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre Singapore 'Incorrigible' sexual predator who preyed on children convicted for 4th time Having the naval divers plop into the waters of Marina Bay enabled more people to get up close to the action outside the Padang, where the main parade took place. The naval divers waving to the crowd outside the Esplanade on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Among the 27,000 spectators at the Padang were foreign guests such as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, who were seated close to Singapore's Cabinet ministers in the VIP stand to witness the special event. (Centre row, from left) Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail and his wife were among foreign guests at the National Day Parade on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Besides the customary 21-gun salute for President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, spectators at the bay were also treated to a maritime vessel display, four water floats, a live performance by singer Benjamin Kheng on a floating stage, as well as vibrant light projections on The Fullerton Hotel and UOB Plaza. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the National Day Parade on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN NDP 2025, which involved about 6,000 participants across the pre-parade, parade and ceremony, mobile column and show segments, offered notable firsts . For the first time in parade history, the parade and ceremony segment featured a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) guard-of-honour contingent, following public feedback. It will be a permanent fixture of the guard-of-honour contingents in the years to come, joining four from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and one from the Singapore Police Force. NDP 2025 involved about 6,000 participants across the pre-parade, parade and ceremony, mobile column and show segments. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO The Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps, to commemorate its 10th anniversary, also fielded a full contingent at the parade for the first time. Eyes were turned skywards and necks craned as the Republic of Singapore Air Force put on eight aerial displays over the course of the night. It began with the traditional State Flag fly-past. Later, fighter jet pilots pulled off a gravity-defying 'bomb burst' manoeuvre, where the planes soared upwards before speeding off in various directions in a salute to the nation. Integrating aerial fly-pasts into the mobile column had never been done until NDP 2025, where 22 aircraft flew over the Padang in four formations in a display of the RSAF's aerial prowess. While the mobile column demonstrated the Republic's military might, some of the parade's most poignant moments came in its final segment, beginning when Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan appeared in a Leopard 2SG main battle tank with his 10-year-old son Keith. The mobile column at NDP 2025. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO The crowd then broke into cheers when some SAF and Home Team veterans were introduced – in a nod to the shared commitment to defence across generations. Among them were 95-year-old retired Second Warrant Officer Booi Seow Kiat, who sailed on RSS Panglima, the Republic of Singapore Navy's first ship, and retired Senior Warrant Officer 1 Jimmy Tan, 66, who responded to the Hotel New World collapse in 1986 that killed 33. It was on this note that the show segment kicked off, with singer-songwriter Charlie Lim and singer Kit Chan taking the stage to perform the parade's theme song Here We Are. As with most NDP shows, the artiste line-up was a mix of experienced hands and young talent. Making its first appearance since NDP 2009 was local indie band Electrico, which performed that year's parade theme song What Do You See. Also returning to the show after a hiatus was Dick Lee, who last performed at NDP 2020, when an evening indoor concert was held in lieu of the usual outdoor show owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hoisted up in a basket attached to a floating balloon, he sang We Will Get There – the first National Day song he wrote, which was performed at the 2002 parade. Singer-songwriter Dick Lee, hoisted up in a basket attached to a floating balloon, performing at the National Day Parade on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Representing a younger generation of artistes was singer-songwriter Linying, who performed original composition I Will Walk With You, while songstress Heema Izzati sang Lim's Room At The Table. Some of the night's loudest cheers were reserved for Aldrich Jai Kishen, 31, one of five Singaporeans whose stories were told in a film screened in segments between the show's four acts. The film told of how Jai – a youth worker at Boys' Town, where he was a resident – discovered a passion for drumming while in his teens that helped him to overcome a rough childhood. Aldrich Jai Kishen performed an upbeat remix of Linying's NDP 2021 theme song, The Road Ahead. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Jai took to the stage for the show's final act after the film concluded, performing an upbeat remix of Linying's NDP 2021 theme song The Road Ahead , alongside Electrico vocalist Dave Tan. In a Facebook post on Aug 9, President Tharman hailed Jai and others involved in the parade, saying 'we have heroes all around the island'. He cited Amelia Tan, nine, who was born with a rare condition resulting in her having speech and hearing difficulty. She did the sign language interpretation of the National Pledge towards the parade's end. 'Such calm and composure, despite it being her first signing in public,' he said. 'As this year's NDP song says, every voice is a story,' added the President. 'We can all be heroes. Heroes in our own ways, in the story we write together.' PM Wong said in a separate Facebook post that the parade was 'a proud celebration of how far we've come – and a heartfelt tribute to the generations who built our nation'. 'As we mark SG60, we honour our past and look ahead to a new chapter. Our solidarity, resilience and unity will stand us in good stead for the road ahead,' he said. 'The best of our journey is yet to come.' Rounding off the show was Kit Chan, who returned to the NDP stage for the first time since 2015 to belt out Home, the classic that she first performed at NDP 1998. In a dazzling finale to NDP 2025, its theme – Majulah Singapura – were the last words sang as a kaleidoscope of fireworks illuminated the night sky at the close of the National Anthem. Before long, rain fell over the Padang again, as President Tharman greeted performers prior to leaving the parade grounds. Referring to the return of the drizzle as 'showers of blessing', show host Joakim Gomez said: 'As we close this chapter to SG60, let's move on into the next 60 years together. Relax – we will get there.'
The Star
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Singapore turns 60: Padang and Marina Bay dazzle in milestone celebration
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): In a grand celebration of Singapore's diamond jubilee, tens of thousands descended on the heart of the city-state on Aug 9 to usher in the Republic's 60th year of independence. To allow more to soak in the pomp and pageantry of the birthday bash, parade organisers extended the celebrations beyond the Padang to Marina Bay, where about 200,000 gathered. At the bay, so popular were some spots that Merlion Park and the area in front of One Fullerton were closed by 4.38pm – an hour before the National Day Parade (NDP) kicked off at 5.40pm. The earlier sweltering heat had given way to a passing drizzle shortly before the parade got under way. Kicking off the milestone parade, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made a surprise appearance with his electric guitar in the pre-parade video Makin' Our Way. Another crowd pleaser came at 5.50pm, when seven naval divers leapt from a H225M medium-lift helicopter, descending about 1,830m into the bay – flippers first. They were followed about five minutes later by seven Red Lions parachutists, whose much-awaited arrival at the Padang delighted the crowd. Having the naval divers plop into the waters of Marina Bay enabled more people to get up close to the action outside the Padang, where the main parade took place. Among the 27,000 spectators at the Padang were foreign guests such as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who were seated close to Singapore's Cabinet ministers in the VIP stand to witness the milestone parade. Besides the customary 21-gun salute for President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, spectators by the bay were also treated to a maritime vessel display, four water floats, a live performance by singer Benjamin Kheng on a floating stage, as well as vibrant light projections on Fullerton Hotel and UOB Plaza One. A light projection of the Singapore flag on the facade of The Fullerton Hotel on Aug 9. -- ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO NDP 2025, which involved about 6,000 participants across the pre-parade, parade and ceremony, mobile column and show segments, offered notable firsts. For the first time in parade history, the parade and ceremony segment featured a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) guard-of-honour contingent following public feedback. Six guard-of-honour contingents will be permanent fixtures in the years to come – four from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), one from the Singapore Police Force, and one SCDF contingent. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the SAF Volunteer Corps also fielded a full contingent at the parade for the first time. Eyes were turned skywards and necks craned as the Republic of Singapore Air Force put on eight aerial displays over the course of the night. It began with the traditional State Flag flypast, and pilots later pulled off a gravity-defying 'bomb burst' manoeuvre, where the jets soared upwards before speeding off in various directions in an enhanced salute to the nation. Integrating aerial flypasts into the mobile column had never been done until NDP 2025, where 22 aircraft flew over the Padang in four formations in a display of the RSAF's aerial prowess. While the mobile column demonstrated the Republic's military might, some of the parade's most poignant moments came in its final segment, when Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan emerged in a Leopard 2SG main battle tank with his 10-year-old son Keith. The crowd later broke into cheers when some SAF and Home Team veterans were introduced – in a nod to the shared commitment to defence across generations. Among them were 95-year-old retired Second Warrant Officer Booi Seow Kiat, who sailed RSS Panglima, the Republic of Singapore Navy's first ship, and retired Senior Warrant Officer 1 Jimmy Tan, 66, who responded to the Hotel New World collapse in 1986 that killed 33. It was on this note that the show segment kicked off, with singer-songwriter Charlie Lim and Mandopop star Kit Chan taking the stage to perform the parade's theme song Here We Are. As with most NDP shows, the artiste line-up was a mix of experienced hands and young talent. Making their first appearance since NDP 2009 was local indie band Electrico, which performed that year's NDP theme song What Do You See. Fireworks above the Padang during the National Day Parade on Aug 9. -- ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Also returning to the show after a hiatus was Dick Lee, who last performed at NDP 2020, when an evening indoor concert was held in lieu of the usual outdoor show owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hoisted up in a basket attached to a floating balloon, he sang We Will Get There – the first National Day song he wrote, which was performed at the 2002 parade. Representing a younger generation of artistes was singer-songwriter Linying, who performed original composition I Will Walk With You, while songstress Heema Izzati sang Lim's Room At The Table. Some of the night's loudest cheers were reserved for Aldrich Jai Kishen, 31, one of five Singaporeans whose stories were told in a film screened in segments between the show's four acts. The film told of how Jai – a youth worker at Boys' Town, where he was a resident – discovered a passion for drumming while in his teens that helped him to overcome a rough childhood. Jai took to the stage for the show's final act as the film concluded, performing an upbeat remix of Linying's NDP 2021 theme song, The Road Ahead, alongside Electrico vocalist Dave Tan. Rounding off the show was Chan, who returned to the NDP stage for the first time since 2015 to belt out Home, the classic that she first performed at NDP 1998. In a dazzling finale to NDP 2025, its theme – Majulah Singapura – were the last words sang as a kaleidoscope of fireworks illuminated the night sky at the close of the National Anthem. Before long, rain fell over on the Padang again, as President Tharman greeted performers before leaving the parade grounds. Referring to the return of the drizzle as 'showers of blessing', show host Joakim Gomez said: 'As we close this chapter to SG60, let's move on into the next 60 years together. Relax – we will get there.' -- The Straits Times/ANN
AsiaOne
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
NDP 2025: Spirit of reflection and hope as Singapore celebrates 60th birthday in grand style, Singapore News
Amid the pomp and pageantry, there is a spirit of reflection and hope as Singapore celebrated its 60th birthday on Saturday (Aug 9). Perhaps a dose of unpredictability too — when the 27,000 spectators at the Padang took to their seats from 4pm under the blazing heat, before opening their umbrellas as a brief drizzle fell over Padang. Thousands more soaked in the festivities in Marina Bay as a part of an "expanded canvas" to celebrate Singapore's diamond jubilee. By 5.30pm, the rain had stopped with the four emcees —Joakim Gomez, Ebi Shankara and Siti Khalijah arriving at the Padang in an iconic Singapore Big Bus. They were then "teleported" to the screens and into a music video Makin' Our Way, written and composed by singer Benjamin Artist. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong even made a surprise appearance by playing the electric guitar. Fifty-nine students from the Institute of Technical Education and 100 volunteers from Touch Community Services then took to the stage in vibrant costumes in a dance performance. In total, more than 3,000 performers and artistes were involved in this year's NDP. Shortly after 6pm, a team of six naval divers leapt from a H225M medium-lift helicopter, before deploying their parachutes and landing together in the waters off Marina Bay. But just as the spectators were cheering the naval divers' successful jump, perennial crowd favourites— a team of seven Red Lions began descending from a transport aircraft in aerial formation and taking minutes to touch down. This was the first time the two parachute teams would land at separate venues at the NDP. The Jump of Unity ended with a combined salute by the naval divers from a small floating platform in Marina Bay and the Red Lions at the Padang to cheers and applause from spectators. The pre-parade culminated with a performance by the combined schools' band, the TENG Ensemble and Noemie. In a stirring rendition of We Are Singapore, the spectators raised placards where they wrote down their hopes and dreams for the nation. Next was a parade with 2,100 participants in 40 marching contingents from the Singapore Armed Forces, Home Team, uniformed groups as well as social and economic groups. This year also saw the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps fielding its first full contingent and the inaugural appearance of the Singapore Civil Defence Force guard-of-honour contingent. Soon after the MPs and ministers took their seats, several leaders from the region were welcomed to the Padang. They are: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is representing Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. After the arrival of PM Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Republic of Singapore Air Force gave spectators a treat to mark SG60. Six F-15SG jets soared over Padang in an arrow-shaped formation, followed by four F-16s in a diamond shape as a salute to the nation. Four F-16 jets then performed a cross-turn, a move where they flew alongside one another in a diamond formation before splitting off in different directions in a carefully timed manoeuvre. More military hardware was on display as soon as the marching contingents cleared Padang. Marking its first appearance since 2019, this year's mobile column featured over 170 assets from the SAF, Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. It was also the first time that the mobile column — traditionally a drive-past of military assets and vehicles — included an aerial flypast across Padang and a maritime display concurrently at the nearby Marina Bay. As dawn turned to dusk, the show segment kicked off with Charlie Lim and Kit Chan kicking off the first act with this year's theme song Here We Are. And what is NDP without Munnaeru Vaalibaa? The iconic tune was part of a medley accompanied by a kaleidoscope of sound and colour — featuring performers from Republic Polytechnic and local artistes Ramli Sarip, Tosh Zhang, Pallavi, Shye, ABANGSAPAU, Tay Kewei, Yung Raja, Zadon, Lynnette Seah, Churen Li, and Electrico. Act Three was all about the music veterans. Dick Lee took to the skies, literally, belting out NDP classic We Will Get There, which symbolises Singapore's collective strength and ability to rise above challenges. There was also a duet featuring Rahimah Rahim and Kheng as they performed Not Alone on a floating platform at Marina Bay. Act Four, titled "Our Unity, Our Strength", featured performers from the Ministry of Education, SMU Samba Masala, Minds, the Extraordinary People, STNY Brothers and was also a sing-along as Kit Chan returned to the stage with Home. The spectators were treated to a medley of National Day songs as fireworks lit up the sky in a grand finale. Minutes after the national anthem was sung and the pledge recited, rain began pouring down at the Padang again. But that failed to dampen the spirits of spectators, for the nation was reminded of how far it has come after 60 years of independence. Majulah Singapura. [[nid:721156]] chingshijie@
AsiaOne
09-08-2025
- Climate
- 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]]
