Some 200,000 celebrate Singapore's 43rd birthday at Marina Bay
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 August 2008 1757 hrs
Spectators take photographs while fireworks are displayed during the National Day Parade.
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Some 200,000 celebrate Singapore's 43rd birthday at Marina Bay
RSAF'S Black Knights perform aerial display at NDP
Special Report
• National Day 2008
SINGAPORE: Some 200,000 gathered at Marina Bay on Saturday to mark Singapore's 43rd birthday.
The celebrations kicked off with teenage jazz heart-throb Nathan Hartono performing the opening song at the National Day Parade (NDP) titled "Where I Belong".
Despite the drizzle, the crowds were razzle dazzled by the non-stop action on the sea, in the stands and up in the skies.
The Singapore Air Force's elite Black Knights participated in this year's NDP for the first time. They also commemorated the Republic of Singapore Air Force's 40th anniversary.
The military police also made a re-appearance at the parade since their last performance in 2006.
The six F16 Fighting Falcons greeted spectators at Marina Bay with their deafening entrance and they certainly left a mark in the sky for all to see in their tight formation.
Flying at some 2,000 kilometres an hour, over the central business district, leaves no room for any mistakes.
As thousands craned their necks with cameras in hand, the Black Knights just could not resist declaring their love for Singapore.
During the parade proper, the military police officers displayed their precision drill to the beat of the military band's music.
Staff Sergeant Alan Poh, SAF Military Police Command, said: "They have to get used to the weight of the rifle, so that they will not drop the weapon when they toss the rifle. And also while performing at the platform, they actually have to execute the drills in sync with the rhythm of the music.
"Also at the same time, to actually co-ordinate with the band and the bikers to form the various formations, such as the crescent and the star."
The officers also added more sparkle to the celebrations, rounding off the segment with their acrobatic bike stunts.
The gallery can sit about 30,000 people, about half the size of National Stadium and the Padang, the two locations which used to host the parade. But some 150,000 others also caught part of the parade from the waterfront.
Meanwhile, over 600 Singaporeans living in Shanghai also marked the occasion with dancing and music, despite being away from home.
At the party organised by the Shanghai Singapore Business Association, the group of overseas Singaporeans gathered to watch the parade, which was beamed 'live' for the first time on Channel NewsAsia International.
There are over 7,000 Singaporeans living in Shanghai, the largest concentration of Singapore citizens in China. - CNA/vm
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 August 2008 1757 hrs
Spectators take photographs while fireworks are displayed during the National Day Parade.
Related Videos
Some 200,000 celebrate Singapore's 43rd birthday at Marina Bay
RSAF'S Black Knights perform aerial display at NDP
Special Report
• National Day 2008
SINGAPORE: Some 200,000 gathered at Marina Bay on Saturday to mark Singapore's 43rd birthday.
The celebrations kicked off with teenage jazz heart-throb Nathan Hartono performing the opening song at the National Day Parade (NDP) titled "Where I Belong".
Despite the drizzle, the crowds were razzle dazzled by the non-stop action on the sea, in the stands and up in the skies.
The Singapore Air Force's elite Black Knights participated in this year's NDP for the first time. They also commemorated the Republic of Singapore Air Force's 40th anniversary.
The military police also made a re-appearance at the parade since their last performance in 2006.
The six F16 Fighting Falcons greeted spectators at Marina Bay with their deafening entrance and they certainly left a mark in the sky for all to see in their tight formation.
Flying at some 2,000 kilometres an hour, over the central business district, leaves no room for any mistakes.
As thousands craned their necks with cameras in hand, the Black Knights just could not resist declaring their love for Singapore.
During the parade proper, the military police officers displayed their precision drill to the beat of the military band's music.
Staff Sergeant Alan Poh, SAF Military Police Command, said: "They have to get used to the weight of the rifle, so that they will not drop the weapon when they toss the rifle. And also while performing at the platform, they actually have to execute the drills in sync with the rhythm of the music.
"Also at the same time, to actually co-ordinate with the band and the bikers to form the various formations, such as the crescent and the star."
The officers also added more sparkle to the celebrations, rounding off the segment with their acrobatic bike stunts.
The gallery can sit about 30,000 people, about half the size of National Stadium and the Padang, the two locations which used to host the parade. But some 150,000 others also caught part of the parade from the waterfront.
Meanwhile, over 600 Singaporeans living in Shanghai also marked the occasion with dancing and music, despite being away from home.
At the party organised by the Shanghai Singapore Business Association, the group of overseas Singaporeans gathered to watch the parade, which was beamed 'live' for the first time on Channel NewsAsia International.
There are over 7,000 Singaporeans living in Shanghai, the largest concentration of Singapore citizens in China. - CNA/vm
