NDP Parade 2013 NE3

At last Sat’s National Day Parade (NDP Parade) NE3 event, we sang our hearts out.
It will be hard to find a better occasion to profess our love for Singapore.

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
sama-sama menuju bahagia;
Cita-cita kita yang mulia,
berjaya Singapura

We were invited to participate in 2013’s NDP NE 3 (National Education).

The ceremony colours are Red and White πŸ™‚

The four hosts kept the audience entertained and laughing. Afterall, it is a 3 hours show, and some kids might become restless πŸ™‚

5.55PM – Red Lions start free falling from above ! Always a crowd favourite, love the colourful trails they leave behind.

The little boy (with his remote control) dispatch Apaches and Leopard tanks to our Stage !

Our hometeam helps to secure the perimeter. We need to let the terrorists know that Singapore is not an easy target.

In the event of industrial incident, we can always rely on our SCDF team.

6.16PM – We are not done with dynamic display yet! Look towards the direction of Merlion and spot our CoastGuards and Navy as they hunt down the bad guys.

Ah Boys to Men. So many kids in fatigues dash to the stage.

We love the Singapore tattoos, they bring up an additional element of Fun, and Pride !

Kids are definitely fired up, and anticipating more FUN.

An overhead camera gave us a bird’s eye view of the parade. Splendid atmosphere !

6.50PM – Singapore Flag fly past on Chinook escorted by Apaches. We sing our National Anthem with gusto.

6:52PM – F16 Starburst, followed by F15 afterburners ! Very LOUD !

6.53PM – 21 Guns salute as Minister (or President on actual day) inspects the contingents.

7.02PM – F15 returns !

** Make sure kids clear their bladders before 6.30PM, factor in hugh Toilet-jams. You do not want to miss the fighter jets ! **

As the sky darkens, we get ready our lightings πŸ™‚

Love the Flashcards, everytime they synchronise, Singapore’s folk tales are displayed in vibrant colours ! Hello Redhill, Sister Islands and Singapura !

This fits into NDP 2013’s theme “Many stories..One Singapore” perfectly.

Some creative 3D lasers transform floating platform into soccer field or basketball court ! Our sportsmen and women show us their touch.

8.14PM – Fireworks (photo recycled from 2012)

Boon Kang(2) was singing out loud the National songs, Boon Xin(4) was busy dancing and Boon Yee(3) waves his light sabre like a young Jedi (be careful the spectators infront !)

Boon Wee(1) was deep in thoughts, what does it mean to be a Singaporean?
When we sing our National Anthem, when we recite our pledge, what is the significance?

He will be joining his Primary 5 kakis in next year’s National Day NE session.

Performers gather back at the stage for the finale. If you ask us which is our favourite segment, we all love the jumping\swimming\singing Merlion !

We will sing together, scream at the fireworks, and Majulah Singapura again πŸ™‚

Good harvesting for the kids, the Funpack is really well stocked with drinks and biscuits. There is no need for us to bring our own snacks.

This is our fist NDP parade after five failed ballot attempts. We really treasure the opportunity to celebrate the Nation’s birthday (upcoming) together, as a Family.

We hope more families will get to experience the sensation. We do not even need 09Aug to feel the pulsation, any NDP Rehearsal (NE 1 to 3) will be good enough to drum up our patriotic feelings πŸ™‚

Video : NDP 2013 NE 3

Happy Birthday Singapore !

For more photos and NDP updates :
– our photos on our Fanpage
– NDpeeps NE3 photo (official NDP Fanpage)
http://ndp.org.sg/highlights
NDP road closures
– our 2012 Fireworks and photography tips

2012 NDP fireworks

09Aug is Singapore’s birthday, and the city celebrates with a National Day Parade every year, climaxing with fireworks. Families will be hanging around Marina Bay area during every year’s rehearsals.

If you are there for photography, timing is everything. If you are there with family and friends to soak in the atmosphere, just relax, sit on the floor, get plenty of water, and simply enjoy your family time πŸ™‚

We start this blog with some twinkle stars πŸ™‚

At 6:42PM – Chinook slings the Singapore flag across Fullerton towards the parade

6:44PM – F16 Falcons soar across the bay in fan shape, followed immediately by three F15 eagles.

6:45PM – Cannon non stop 21 salutes. And we watch assault boat manoeuvre into battle position.

As the blue hour approaches..

More and more families gather to catch the actions.

From 7:47PM onwards, the fireworks rock the evening sky. It is very spectacular, but small kids might find it too loud.

Love all the firework reflections off Marina Bay Sand‘s glass walls.






Are you interested to know more about firework photography? You do not need to be a professional photographer or hold expensive glasses to get decent fireworks photos. (Daddy Andy is one good example)
–> more photos from our fanpage
–> Firework photography tips
–> previous Mobile column experience, when Leopard tanks roll pass Cityhall

More parade details and itinerary are available at official NDP home page.

You can also catch Fireworks from Bay East and Barrage. Bay East might be too far away as the fireworks end up smaller. But the reflections of GardensByTheBay and Flyer’s lightings off Marina waters should compensate for everything (make sure you steal a wide angle lens beforehand).

If NDP organisers happen to read this blog, this is the fourth year we did not get any NDP tickets πŸ™