NATIONAL DAY PARADE 2010

Aug 10, 2010, STRAITS TIMES


                                              THIS IS home TRULY

A magical night as NDP returns to the Padang, while those in heartland join in celebrations too
FOUR minutes and six seconds.

Time seemed to hold its breath while the nation sang Home together last night, as Singapore's 45th birthday celebrations drew to a resounding close.

'This is Home truly, where I know I must be,' Singaporeans 1. ________(sing) along with homegrown singer Kit Chan. 'Where my dreams wait for me, where that river always flows...'

Ms Chan, a slender presence on a crescent-shaped stage, set the scene for the One Voice moment at 2010 hours, or 8.10pm.

Following Home, the 26,500 people at the Padang, as well as thousands in the surrounding Marina Bay area and in the heartland, 2. ________(rise) to their feet.

In one voice, they 3. __________(recite) the National Pledge and sang the National Anthem.

The night ended with fireworks going off at the Padang and nine other locations in the city, as all-time favourite national songs like Count On Me, Singapore and We Are Singapore played.

Indeed, it was the music of Singapore that 4. _______(draw) the nation together at its 2010 birthday party, which returned to the Padang for a magical night after an absence of five years.

The celebrations come at a time when Singapore is riding high on confidence.

As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong 5. _________(note) in his National Day Message on Sunday, the economy has rebounded strongly from last year's recession, many jobs have been created, and unemployment is low.

The exceptional performance, Mr Lee said, is the fruit of Singaporeans' united response during the crisis, which enabled the country to take advantage of improved global conditions.

If music set the mood for yesterday's celebrations, what 6. _______(stand) out was how 7. _______(unite) was also a theme.

The parade 8. ________(celebrate) not only at the 9. ________(history) City Hall site in the city, but also at the doorsteps of people's homes in Eunos, Sengkang, Bishan, Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands.

The 21/2-hour parade featured live feeds to the simultaneous celebrations at the five heartland locations, where more than 80,000 people had gathered in open fields, allowing Singaporeans to be almost together in body as well as spirit.

'To sing along with everyone else in the Padang is great,' said jewellery designer Manoj Jaswani, 45, who was at Bishan with his family of three.

'We may not be where the parade is, but the party here is just as big and the atmosphere 10. _______(feel) the same.'

Spectators started gathering as early at 3.30pm at the Padang site, which 11. ______(festoon) with flags in line with this year's parade theme of Live Our Dreams, Fly Our Flag.

After weeks in which the weather 12. _______(swing) from dismal rain to scorching heat, it was a fine evening. It did not rain, and many were seen furiously fanning themselves to keep cool.

The parade kicked off with the daredevil Red Lions parachutists wowing the crowd. The marching contingents that followed also got people onto their feet.

Cheers 13. _______(greet) the arrival of Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 14. ________(follow) by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong a little later.

A high point for the crowd was the four-minute aerial display 15. _________(feature) Singapore's latest F-15 fighter jets and the Gulfstream 550 airborne early warning aircraft.

Making a welcome comeback was the mobile column, an impressive, 210-strong convoy that trundled down St Andrew's Road and, in smaller groups, into the five HDB estates.

Military might made way for grace when the high-energy four-act show got under way. The 90-minute show directed by Dick Lee was divided into acts exploring the ideals symbolised by the red, white, crescent moon, and stars of the Singapore flag.

Los Angeles-based Singaporean singer-songwriter Corrinne May got the crowd onto their feet when she sang her tribute to the nation, Song For Singapore.

As dusk descended, the seating galleries turned into a sea of twinkling colours as spectators waved flag-shaped clappers cum torches, supplied in their fun totes. The bags this year came in designs by seven of the country's top designers.

A light display bathed the stately columns of City Hall in vibrant shades, while a stone's throw away, the waters of Marina Bay shimmered in the neon lights of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.

Retiree Chua Gek Soon, 63, was dazzled by the moon- and star-shaped fireworks. 'Marina Bay looks so beautiful now,' said the retiree, who was at the Padang with his wife. 'Singapore has achieved so much within such a short time.'

Singapore Airlines flight attendant Celine Poh, 31, rushed to the Padang after landing at Changi Airport from Ho Chi Minh City, just an hour before the parade.

'Rushing here is really nothing compared with being back here to celebrate the nation's birthday with my fellow Singaporeans,' she said.

She was, after all, Home.

5 magical moments AT THE NATIONAL DAY PARADE


1 ONE VOICE 2010

At exactly 8.10pm, 26,500 spectators at the Padang recited the Pledge and sang the Anthem. They joined voices with 80,000 residents taking part in heartland festivities, and with many more people across the island.
2 AERIAL DISPLAY

The newest additions to Singapore's air force took to the skies yesterday. Two sleek F-15 fighter jets streaked over Marina Bay Sands and executed a 'shackle' manoeuvre, showcasing the aircraft's ability to execute sharp turns.

3 COLOURFUL COSTUMES

Vibrant, cutting-edge, coordinated and 'wow'. The Padang exploded in a riot of colours right from the show's opening act, which featured the multifaceted costumes of Singapore's racial and cultural groups.

4 FIREWORKS OVER THE BAY

The skies above Marina Bay burst into myriad colours as fireworks were set off at an unprecedented nine locations, including the Esplanade and City Hall. Spectators were captivated by the spectacular pyrotechnics.

5 CITY HALL LIGHT SHOW

City Hall was turned into a huge canvas. More than 20 patterns like stars, flowers and futuristic circuit boards were projected on the building, which has witnessed momentous events since Singapore's independence in 1965.

Match the following meanings with the correct word given in the passage.

1. Slim, not fat. ______________

2. Originated from the country of birth or citizenship ___________

3. Having a sense of the supernatural ____________

4. A central region where most people live ___________

5. Enjoying great success ____________

6. A period of time where business is poor __________

7. Recovered very fast __________

8. A situation where there is profit or gain __________

9. Extraordinarily good achievement ___________

10. Celebrations that are going on at the same time ____________

11. Shown on mass media ___________

12. Real time data shown on mass media ___________

13. Very hot __________

14. Causing the audience to marvel _________

15. Depressing and dull rain _________

16. A group of soldiers escorting for protection _____________

17. To represent by a sign ____________

18. A payment as an acknowledgement ________________

19. A large area of bright flashing colours ___________

20. To impress deeply _____________

21. Celebrations ___________

22. A lot of colours _______________

23. Lively, full of energy _____________

24. Very modern, using the latest technology _______________

25. Smooth and shining ___________

26. To move swiftly ____________

27. To move around _____________

28. Carry out, perform , evasive movement ____________

29. Exhibiting to a crowd of people _________

30. Attire worn by performers that show many aspects of the races and cultures ______________________



ANSWERS

Grammar- 1. sang 2. rose 3. recited 4. drew 5. noted 6. stood 7. unity 8. was celebrated

9. historic 10. feels 11. was festooned 12. swung 13. greeted 14. followed 15. featuring

Vocabulary 1. slender 2. homegrown 3. a magical night 4. heartland 5.riding high 6. recession 7. rebound 8. take advantage 9. exceptional performance 10. simultaneous celebrations 11. featured 12. live feeds 13. scorching heat 14. wowing the crowds 15. dismal rain 16. convoy 17. symbolised 18. tribute to the nation 19. a sea of twinkling colours 20. dazzled 21. festivities 22. a riot of colours 23. vibrant 24. cutting-edge 25. sleek 26. streaked 27. manoeuvre 28. execute 29. showcasing 30. multi-faceted costumes