CONCERT SALUTES NSMEN, CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF MDC

2009 Singapore Idol Sezairi Sezali and singer-songwriter Rai Kannu wow the audience with their vocals. Rapper-actor Sheikh Haikel raps with rising star Shigga Shay. Film director and comedian Jack Neo sings Remembering Brother, a Chinese song about men going through National Service.

The stellar cast and performance resemble a MediaCorp New Year Countdown show, but is in fact the gala night of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Music and Drama Company's (MDC's) concert held in Kallang Theatre over two days from 20 to 21 Nov.

The show - 40 Stories: Saluting NSmen - brought together local celebrities formerly from MDC to show appreciation to all Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and their families for their contributions to Singapore's defence. The concert also commemorated MDC's 40th anniversary.

MDC was set up in 1973 to boost the morale of soldiers through performances and to share national education messages. Over the years, it grew into a stepping stone for many artistes in Singapore.

It boasts five cultural medallion recipients among its alumni: Jack Neo, Dick Lee, Jeremy Monteiro, Glen Goei and Ivan Heng. Other notable alumni members include Gurmit Singh, Najip Ali, JJ Lin, Chua En Lai.

Guest-of-honour Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who attended the gala night on 21 Nov, noted: "MDC has a specific mission. At the end of the day, it's all about supporting the SAF men and women...entertaining them - with a very simple message that we care for you just as much as you and SAF care for Singapore and defend Singapore."

"Even after 40 years, the MDC is very, very relevant. In fact, we think the MDC can do more. We want to expand MDC, we think it can form a very strong basis to support SAF men and women, we are looking to see what more meaningful ways MDC can play."

Head MDC Loh Aik Khoon said the company has always been the training ground and launch pad for many young, talented artistes. "We give them the best platform to experiment, to try new things," he said.

Full-time National Serviceman, Lance Corporal (LCP) Pek Jin Shen, or better known by his stage name Shigga Shay, can attest to that. The rising star rapper has picked up a variety of performing skills such as dancing, acting and hosting in MDC.
"I had never danced in my life until I joined MDC," said LCP Pek. "At the end of two years you will really learn a lot of things"

Similarly for Rai, MDC was the place he picked up singing and music. The singer-songwriter who spent his NSF days in the MDC from 1997 to 1999 said: "The whole performing experience for me started in MDC."

Summing up the performance, Sheikh who served as an NSF in MDC in the mid-90s, said: "We could see it on the faces of people who came. They were really happy. I think that's what MDC was all about - to bring happiness to everyone."

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