STANDING UP FOR SINGAPORE ON 9 AUG

By 4pm, long lines had formed at all six access points to the Marina Bay Floating Platform, where the National Day Parade (NDP) 2012 was held on 9 Aug. As spectators waited in line to collect their fun packs, the sense of excitement and anticipation was palpable and even the warm, humid weather could not dampen the spirits of the 27,000 spectators who were raring to celebrate Singapore's 47th year of independence with fellow Singaporeans.

Taking centre stage first was the Integrated Precision Drill and Motorcycle Performance by Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team personnel. Making their first appearance at the floating platform this year, they wowed crowds with their perfectly synchronised display and formations that saw some bending over backwards literally!

Then came the crowd favourite - the Red Lions - which had spectators craning their necks, waving their flags and pointing their cameras towards the sky as they tried to spot the six members of the freefall display team. Sporting red smoke trails that trailed their descent from 10,000 feet, each of them landed on the floating platform smoothly to the applause and delight of spectators.

Cyberpioneer caught up with team leader 1st Warrant Officer Tan Lee Khoon before his 7th NDP jump. Even with more than 1,400 jumps under his belt, the veteran Red Lion treats each jump like his first.

"It's still as challenging because every year, the landing area is different. At the Marina Bay Floating Platform, the (landing) area is narrow, wind conditions are unpredictable, and there is a lot of turbulence. It makes the final approach more challenging."

But the 42-year-old got what he wished for - good weather, good wind conditions and a smooth landing - and if the rousing applause was any indication of their performance, the Red Lions were very successful indeed.

In an NDP first, spectators also had a close-up view of Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Tamizh Kannan as he gave the commands to form up the parade, not from the platform as with previous NDPs, but from the midst of spectators.

As MWO Kannan bellowed his commands in a loud and clear voice, 140 servicemen from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Home Team marched out from four entrances at the seating gallery to converge with the other contingents in the Commitment to DefenceMarch.

To commemorate 45 years of National Service (NS45), spectators in and around the floating platform were also treated to a 10-minute Salute to NS45. Comprising land, air and sea elements, the salute began with 2,000 parade participants marching 10 steps forward in the Advance-in-Review-Order parade drill.

This was followed by a sea salute by the Navy's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, which created heart-shaped waves as they manoeuvred around the waters of Marina Bay, followed by an air salute by eight of the Air Force's fighter aircraft.

As night fell, all eyes were drawn to the stage as the Show segment began. It was a night of song, dance and colour as performers dressed in ethnic costumes of gold, green, red and orange led spectators on a journey of reflection of the Singaporean's identity and resilience.

Mass displays by performers from the People's Association (PA), Singapore Soka Association and Singapore Chinese Girls' School complemented graphics and multimedia content such as crashing waves and rings of fire, which took on added realism with floor projections, another NDP first.

There were other memorable moments too. In Act Two of the show, 440 participants, including those from the PA, National Dragon Boat team, SAF and the Home Team rowed 15 SAF boats, decorated as ancient Chinese vessels, and 22 dragon boats on the waters of Marina Bay, while performers on stage formed a fiery lion's head with flaming torches.

In Act Three, the stage was transformed into a garden, with life-sized butterfly and dragonfly props as well as performers on stilts. But the highlight was when participants came together to form a giant heart using pyrotechnics as fireworks lit up the night sky.

Singapore's 47th birthday celebrations ended on a high as Singaporeans came together to participate in the Pledge Moment and sing a medley of national day songs like Stand Up for Singapore and Count On Me Singapore, waving their torches to the beat of the music.

Friends Stella Wang and Tan Poh Choo unanimously agreed that it was a great show this year. Their favourite segment was Act One of the Show, which featured performances from the ethnic groups, and a musical dialogue between a Tabla player, a Gumbus player, a Chinese opera singer and a pianist.

"We feel proud to be Singaporeans! When we have problems, we will come together as one," said Ms Wang, referring to Act Two of the show, which showed how Singaporeans rallied together during trying moments like the financial crisis.

More than 2,000 participants from 32 marching contingents taking part in the Parade & Ceremony component.

The captivating five-minute fireworks display at the show's finale prompting many spectators to whip out their cameras.