08
Aug
National Day
It is that time of the year again.
Boring introduction suits cliched event that happens every year with the same monotony of brushing a teeth.
However, as far as the MCs of the National Day parade are concerned, National Day is the most exciting event to happen to Singapore since eons. They bounce around like a fevered bunny on steroids, marching the spectators and home viewers through the same menu of events year after year.
As if things were not bad enough, we have an organising committee which switch-a-roos between the armed formations each year. While I agree with the over-stressed point on how fresh hands are willing to try new stuff, I question their rationale: what is the use of having new people on the job when the same inefficiencies are repeated year after year? Sure, these people try new stuff, which are in essence the old mistakes made by their predecessors.
Definitely innovative.
I could list the events for the day:
- Pre-parade Segment:
Teenagers from the ITE would bound around (think rabbits) in a song that embodies “joy”, “youth”, and “hope” (smaller than usual capitalisation intentional). Choir bursts into a national day song.
- Parade marches in:
A few commercial entities, in addition to the armed forces, march in military formation, to symbolise the five facets of Total Defence. Choir bursts into a national day song.
- MPs arrive. Choir bursts into a national day song.
- Prime Minister arrives. Parade does a salute. Choir bursts into a national day song.
- President arrives. Parades does a salute. Colours salute. Choir bursts into a… (you get the idea)
- Show One/Two/Three: Themes can range from “unity” to “prosperity”, etc… provided that it is a cornerstone of the current national thrust. Choir bursts into a national day song every now and then. A video show, or two of proud Singaporeans…
- Fireworks go off to the tune of a national day song sung by - you-know-who.
- Everybody present says the National pledge
- President goes off
- Spectators find themselves being ushered out
It is the same thing over and over again. It is akin to a salesman peddling his wares on the street. He does the same thing, only difference is the variety of his wares year after year.
I was at the National Day parade last year as a serviceman on usher duty. I was there too the year previous as a civilian. Before those two, I was witness to the same cookie-cutter for 18 years.
Given that I have seen the same show repackaged in the same box every year, I feel justified in doing anything other than watch the National Day parade. It should have sounded stale to everybody 38 years ago (Singapore celebrates Her 40th Independence day tomorrow), and I find it a curious social phenomenon that Singaporeans continue to find inspirational value in it.
Happy National Day! (And for the umpteenth time, Singapore does NOT celebrate a birthday. It is our Independence day we are celebrating!)
P.S.: I have no idea why I sound so cynical today, but the fact remains that I am peeved. Whether my medicine has any links with my fits today is still an untested theory.
P.S.S: I am still feeling drowsy from all the medicine I am taking. My doctor has advised me to get a chest ray done if my bad cough still persist.
Technorati Tags: Singapore, National Day
on August 10th, 2005 at 1:44 am
well, i’ll say that it’s not the content of the parade that matters (which, i’ll have to agree, IS rather stale), but its representation; what it stands for, that is of the utmost importance.
you have anything against people from choir?
sPiRiT^dAnCeR
on August 10th, 2005 at 3:43 am
come on… it isn’t that bad… i am quite a cynic myself… but if there is one day that i can feel rather attached, if not thankful, that i am here in SG, it will be on national day… although the part about the 9th of august not being the ‘birthday’ of singapore is very true indeed… if anything, the real birthdate of at least the term ’singapore’ should be when raffles renamed singapura to singapore… why ever the hell did he do that? who knows…
on August 10th, 2005 at 10:13 am
Reply to: sPiRiT^dAnCeR
If you were to put that into context with the source of my ire, you will really find that I have nothing against choir.
I myself was a victim of such a format when I got pulled into a musical for my primary school’s 40th anniversary (coincidence…).
I was in Primary 3 then.
What with all the emphasis on creativity and innovation, the NDP organisers, whom are scholars, should take the lead and do away with a similar format next year.
What’s all the talk about innovation if the leaders don’t lead the way?
By the way, Happy National Day!
on August 10th, 2005 at 12:28 pm
Hello~
I stumbled onto your blog thru the SPI forum…hope you don’t mind an intruder.
Anyway, I’ve read your entry on National Day..hard to find someone so cynical abt the parade. I actually miss watching it on TV for the past 2 years..hmm..maybe nothing much has changed that’s why you are bored with it? Haha!!
If you can find the time, do drop by my blog and give me a shout..
on August 10th, 2005 at 2:14 pm
Hi TRinA, I can’t find your blog.
You must have hidden it or something…