PHOTO FEATURE | 60 IMAGES
On 9 August, the National Day Parade (NDP) returned back to the heritage Padang in 2023, site of the first parade in 1966, to celebrate the nation’s 58th year of independence. With the theme “Onward As One”, the parade calls upon Singaporeans to look forward confidently and move onwards together in building a shared future. With a 27,000 strong audience in attendance, the parade had a few significant items for this year.
Pre-Parade Festivities
With hosts Eswari Gunasagar, Fauzie Laily, Hazelle Teo and Joakim Gomez, the pre-parade segment featured a dance performance by students from Bedok View Secondary School, East Spring Secondary School and Victoria Junior College with a remix of the NDP Theme Song “Shine Your Light” sung by Charmaine Chan, Aashi Bhagwat, Loic Lastennet, Izhaan Iskandar and Shannen Wong. Vibrant purples and pinks took centre stage as Deyi Secondary School students put on a performance with their rendition of Dynamite by BTS, joined by the MOE (Ministry of Education) dancers. Jumping from 10,000 feet, eight Red Lions of the SAF Parachute Team then performsed the perennial crowd favourite freefall display, to the loud cheers and applause from the audience. Rounding off the segment, The Island Voices performed a medley of past NDP Theme Songs, with dancers from the Music & Drama Company (MDC).
Defending Our Nation As One
Kicking off the Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment was a Military Tattoo performance made up of bands from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Singapore Police Force (SPF), Bowen Secondary Schoo Military Band and Yuhua Secondary School Concert Band, led by the Director of Music, Military Expert 5 (ME5) Ignatius Wang. Showcasing their coordination and precision, the bands put up a display with seven unique formations.
Thirty-four marching contingents comprising of more than 1,700 participants marched and assembled on the Padang after the tattoo, collectively symbolising the six pillars of Total Defence: Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Psychological and Digital. A significant new addition to the Guard of Honour section is the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) contingent, which is the SAF’s newest inaugurated fourth service, and the State Colours party with the new DIS-crested State Flag. This year also marks the final National Day Parade for Her Excellency, President Halimah Yacob, in attendance as the President of Singapore and Presiding Officer.
To celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the RSAF put up a few different air participation components for this year’s NDP. The “Fly Our Flag” segment comprising of two groups of CH-47SD Chinooks escorted by two AH-64D Apaches flew the State Flag via eastern and western routes into the heartlands. The RSAF55 Island Flypast component feature an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), six F-16D+ Fighting Falcons and three F-15SG Strike Eagles flying through five heartland sites to greet Singaporeans.
Following the State Flag Flypast at the Padang, an enhanced “Salute-To-The-Nation” featured five F-16D+ fighters performing a bomb burst, followed by three F-15SGs flying through. The RSAF55 Enhanced Aerial Display first featured the Fixed Wing Formation Flypast with the A330 MRTT escorted by four F-16D+ fighters. The Helicopter Formation Flypast presented the two newest helicopters in the RSAF: The CH-47F Heavy Lift and the H225M Medium Lift helicopters, replacing the CH-47D Chinook and AS332M Super Puma platforms respectively. Two F-15SGs than performed the synchronised Dual High G Turn, followed by two F-16D+ fighters executing a Cross Turn and a single F-15SG cutting through the intersection point into the Vertical Climb.
To convey the importance of Total Defence, the Total Defence Parade (TDP) segment featured three component. First, six large floats featuring iconic representations of the six pillars were presented, based on a short film as a boy tries to discover the meaning of Total Defence. This was followed by a combined vehicular drive past of SAF and Home Team assets, including the debut of the SPF Tactical Strike Vehicle (TSV) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) 6th Generation Light Fire Attack Vehicle (LF6G), also known as the Red Rhino. Lastly, to salute the contribution of all to Total Defence, about 100 participants unfurled a large Total Defence flag on the Padang in the TDP Salute.
Building Our Shared Future As One
Through the creative mind of Creative Director, Royston Tan, four acts were performed in the show segment of the Parade, centred around the sub-theme “Building Our Shared Future as One”. Augmented by floor projections onto the centre stage, the visual appeal and mood of the performances were enhanced for the audience.
Act 1: Our Singapore
From Team Nila Singapore, 116 cyclists with illuminated wings to portray 58 doves, signify the 58 years of peace and prosperity for Singapore with a performance by Lewloh. The water and ocean projections symbolises how they are part of the heritage of the nation from the early days. Closing Act 1, 320 People’s Association performers took to the stage in a kaleidoscopic show with a sing-along to popular community songs by 10 artistes across the four major ethnic groups, celebrating our diverse ethnicities.
Act 2: Our Strength
Act 2 features performers from the Soka Gakkai Singapore Women’s Division and Dance Inspiration in a graceful dance with tall lighted flowing sprouts creating a dreamy atmosphere as Iman Fandi and Olivia Ong delivered Bunga Sayang and 如燕 (Ru Yan) through their soulful voices. Raindrop projections that turn into vibrant green sprouts showcase nature’s rejuvenation, symbolising Singaporean’s resilience and determination in overcoming challenges of the past.
Act 3: One Heart
Bringing up the tempo, dancers and musicians from the MDC, Martial House and Temasek Polytechnic brought orange, red and yellow fiery hues to the stage through their costumes and props, against vibrant projections of a virtual 3D stage. Local rock band 53A performed a high-energy medley set, accompanied by Green Drumming, which recycles waste into percussion instruments.
Act 4: Onward As One
The final act reaffirms our strength as we face the future together as a nation. Sloanne Dunston Lixuan and The Island Voices sing This Little Light of Mine, and subsequently 700 students from CHIJ St. Theresa’s Convent, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, Nanyang Girls’ High School and Yio Chu Kang Secondary School mass dance to this year’s NDP Theme Song “Shine Your Light” sung by the various artistes as the show segment comes to a rousing close.
The MAphotoSG team has enjoyed capturing the moments of NDP 2023 and we have curated them for your viewing pleasure.
Happy Birthday Singapore and here’s to the 59th!
01 The SAF Red Lions perform a Stack formation as they descend onto the Padang.
02 The Red Lions sequencing their landing orders in a Stack formation.
03 A skillful Red Lion navigating around the various skyscrapers for a safe and accurate landing at show centre.
04 The Red Lions saluting the seated Members of Parliament to conclude their segment of the show.
05 A spectator collecting their NDP 2023 pack.
06 A member of the Singapore Police Force Guard of Honour contingent waves to the camera.
07 The Colours Party marches onto Anderson Bridge to begin the Uncasing of Colors Ceremony.
08 A Colours escort maintains their salute position during the uncasing under the later afternoon sun.
09 The State Flag of the Digital and Intelligence Service is uncased in their debut National Day Parade.
10 SAF’s new service arm, the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), takes part in the NDP for the first time.
11 Capturing the best moments of the pre-parade action.
12 Deyi Secondary School students perform their rendition of Dynamite by BTS during the Pre-Parade segment.
13 The Island Voices and dancers of the Music & Drama Company performing a medley of past NDP Theme Songs.
14 Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, receives a warm welcome on his arrival to the Parade.
15 A RSAF F-15SG with a specially marked RSAF55 tail flash, takes off from Paya Lebar Air Base for NDP 2023.
16 A RSAF F-16D+ pulls a hard G turn after taking off for NDP 2023.
17 Six RSAF F-16D+ Fighting Falcons maintain a Delta formation during the RSAF55 Island Flypast.
18 Three RSAF F-15SG Strike Eagles in a Vic formation as part of the RSAF55 Island Flypast.
19 Proudly singing the National Anthem as the State Flag flies past the Padang show centre.
20 The Guard of Honour Colour Party lower their flags during the National Anthem.
21 Her Excellency, President Halimah Yacob, inspects the Guard of Honour contingentsat NDP 2023.
22 President Halimah Yacob completing her Guard of Honour inspection.
23 The Presidential Gun Salute fires 21 shots in a salute to the President during her Guard of Honour inspection at the NDP.
24 President Halimah Yacob, waves to the NDP crowd during her Ceremonial Vehicle Drive Past, in here sixth and final NDP as President.
25 The DIS Guard of Honour firing their SAR-21 rifles for the Feu de Joie (Fire of Joy) segment of the NDP.
26 The RSAF F-16D+ and F-15SG formations fly over the Marina Barrage for the RSAF55 Island Flypast, to the delight of families enjoying their picnics.
27 The Fixed Wing Formation of the A330 MRTT and F-16D+ fighters during the RSAF55 Enhanced Aerial Display segment of NDP 2023.
28 The Fixed Wing Formation flies over a the Padang against a glowing Marina Bay sunset background.
29 A Helicopter Group Flypast crew patch worn by the participating CH-47F and H225M aircrews.
30 The RSAF55 Enhanced Aerial Display marks the debut of two newest RSAF assets: CH-47F Heavy Lift and H225M Medium Lift helicopters.
31 The H225M Medium Lift banks towards Padang during the Helicopter Formation Flypast at NDP 2023.
32 The RSAF’s H225M flies into the Padang show centre against an iridescent cloud backdrop.
33 A pair of RSAF F-15SGs performing a synchronised High G turn above the Padang during the RSAF55 Enhanced Aerial Display segment.
34 A pair of RSAF F-16D+ fighters perform the Cross Turn during the RSAF55 Enhanced Aerial Display segment of NDP 2023.
35 A RSAF F-16D+ on full afterburners as it performs a vertical climb to exit the Padang show centre.
36 A composite image of the NDP 2023 Parade with the State Flag Flypast, F-16D+bomb burst and F-15SG flypast.
37 Spectators having their photos taken with handcrafted frames by the Touch NDP Motivators.
38 The Colours Party marches out of the Padang show centre during NDP 2023.
39 NDP 2023 Parade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ragumaran S/O Davindran, leads the Colours Party as the contingents march out.
40 The RSAF contingent marches in for the formation of the parade contingents at NDP 2023.
41 Spectators look on as they wait for their turn to do the Kallang Wave during the Pre-Parade segment.
42 The combined SAF and Home Team vehicular drive past of the Total Defence Parade segment of NDP 2023.
43 The Leopard 2SG tank salutes the President as it drives past during the Total Defence Parade segment of NDP 2023.
44 The Total Defence Parade segment of NDP 2023.
45 A young audience poses for the camera.
46 The vivid combination of colours in Act 1 – Our Singapore celebrates the diverse ethnicities that forms the basis of the unique Singaporean identity.
47 Cyclists from Team Nila Singapore with their lighted wings props portraying doves as they kick start the Show segment of NDP 2023.
48 Lineath and Kevin Brendan performing Munnaeru Vaalibaa during Act 1 – Our Singapore.
49 Performers of Act 2 – Our Strength with their tall lighted props representing flowing sprouts.
50 Iman Fandi performs a stirring rendition of Bunga Sayang in Act 2 – Our Strength.
51 Olivia Ong performs a soulful rendition of 如燕 (Ru Yan) in Act 2 – Our Strength.
52 Bani Hidir from the rock band 53A performs in Act 3 – One Heart.
53 Sloanne Duston Lixuan singing “This Little Light of Mine” at the beginning of Act 4 – Onward As One.
54 The Island Voices, 53A, Lewloh and Olivia Ong gather on stage to perform the NDP 2023 Theme Song “Shine Your Light” during Act 4- Onward As One.
55 Performers perform a mass dance to the NDP 2023 Theme Song “Shine Your Light”.
56 An overview of Act 4 – Onward As One, as the NDP 2023 Theme Song “Shine Your Light” is performed.
57 The flag bearer salutes as the National Anthem plays at the conclusion of NDP 2023.
58 The lighted up City Hall facade during NDP 2023.
59 A 10-minute long fireworks display lights up the Marina Bay area during NDP 2023.
60 Both Padang and Marina Bay fireworks provide a spectacular colourful finale to NDP 2023.