Singaporeans from all over gather to catch the action
SINGAPORE — He has advanced-stage liver cancer, but Mr Andy Cheong, 49, let neither illness nor the prospect of a long, uncomfortable day in the heat deter him from arriving at Marina Barrage early to claim a good spot to watch the “live” screening of the National Day Parade.
“I have cancer, (but) I try to enjoy myself with happy days. I won’t forget National Day. By bringing my children here, they’ll be happy and I’ll be happy (too),” he said.
The father of two daughters, aged 15 and 20, said this is also the first time his extended family is celebrating National Day together.
“National Day happens only once a year and the children can come out to (play),” said Mr Cheong, who played football with his younger nephews and nieces while waiting for the parade to begin.
Apart from Marina Barrage, “live” screenings of the National Day Parade also took place at the Esplanade Theatres by the Bay, Singapore Flyer, Merlion Park and The Float@Marina Bay, among other places.
At the Merlion Park, families arrived as early as noon to secure seats in front of the screen. Administrative coordinator Anisha Jayeakody, 30, said she had not moved from her seat on an elevated platform near the Merlion since she arrived.
Operations executive Sharim Hamid Sultan, 40, and his family of four took part in the community celebrations in Ayer Rajah at 7.30am, before making their way to the Merlion Park at about 3pm to nab a spot.
At The Float@Marina Bay — a ticketed venue — Mr Robin Chua, 50, and his two children were enjoying the experience of seeing some elements of the parade in real life, instead of on television. The aerial shows, such as the A380 flypast, the Black Knights fan-out manoeuvre and the “50” formation flypast were highlights, he said.
At 8.15pm, the crowd at The Float@Marina Bay rose to sing the National Anthem and recite the Pledge. In the audience was undergraduate Chia Wei Yi, who found this year’s parade particularly meaningful as her father was part of the Singapore Power marching contingent.
Some of the Singaporeans who were overseas made sure they did not miss out on the action, gathering to celebrate by watching “live” screenings while sharing a meal. In Brisbane, some 1,500 Singaporeans and foreigners celebrated with an event featuring Singaporean fare and traditional games.
