These Participants Make NDP 2024 A Heartfelt Family Affair
National Day Parade (NDP) has always been a symbol of unity, pride, and national spirit. This year, the celebration of Singapore's 59th birthday at the Padang on 9 August is particularly special, as it truly becomes a family affair for many participants.
Among the more than 2,100 participants in the Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment (including 35 marching contingents), and the more than 3,000 performers in the Pre-Parade and Show segments, families are coming together to share this monumental experience.
Meet the husband-and-wife duo and twin brothers marching side by side, and the twin sisters from Swift Skating Singapore Academy gracefully gliding across the stage. Joining them are a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) personnel continuing a legacy of family members who have taken part NDPs, and a mother and her three children who will be in the same marching contingent, exemplifying the spirit of togetherness and familial pride.
As these families take to the stage, their presence underscores the true essence of what it means to be “Together, As One United People”, making this year's parade an unforgettable tribute to both nation and kin.
For Nurul (second from left) and her kids, this year's NDP is about making memories as a family.| IMAGE: NICK CHEE
Nurulhuda Binte Abu Bakar, Adam Ajuard Bin Alias, Aisyah Aliyah Binti Alias, and Ahmed Bin Rami
Their roles in NDP 2024: Nurul and her children Adam, 18, Aisyah, 16, and Ahmed, 14, will be marching with the GoodHood.sg contingent
Nurul is no stranger to NDP (she participated in 2018, representing Social Workers), but this year is extra special for her. For the first time, she's will be marching with her kids in the P&C segment.
"It's about creating memories," says Nurul. "My kids are growing older, and I think I need more time for us to be able to create memories as a family. I think that's what will stick with them throughout their lifetime."
Training has been tough, but they've managed to tackle the challenges together. "Coming for weekly rehearsals actually helps and it does make the whole thing easier. And with each week, we get better, so that's very helpful," says the 41-year-old.
Apart from spending quality time together, Nurul is thrilled to represent GoodHood.sg, an online platform that enables people to offer and seek help. It's an organisation she supports passionately. "I believe deeply in the cause. I feel that GoodHood basically represents the 'kampung spirit' of helping one another. And that is something which I feel is very much needed in Singapore," she says.
It wasn't difficult for seasoned NDP participant Angelynn Tan to get her husband Donny Chia to participate in NDP for the first time. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE
Angelynn Tan and Donny Chia
Their roles in NDP 2024: Angelynn, 43, will be marching with Sembcorp, while husband Donny, 45, will be marching with PSA in the P&C segment
Angelynn and Donny are living proof that love and laughter can make even the most gruelling experiences enjoyable. The couple is marching in separate contingents, but their shared excitement and light-hearted banter bring them together in spirit.
Donny, a Gate Operation Supervisor at PSA International, is thrilled to be representing his company for the first time. “I feel very excited, very motivated, partially because she's around, so I get to join this year's NDP together with her,” he says, looking at his wife.
Did he require much convincing to participate in NDP? “Dun need,” says Donny. “She just tell me, go and join, and I just join!”
Angelynn, on the other hand, is a seasoned NDP participant with seven years under her belt. She works in procurement and finds each experience uniquely exciting. “Every time is different because different colleagues form up the contingent. So I get to meet new people and new faces from other contingents as well,” she says. “The biggest difference this year is Donny’s presence. He can finally understand what I've been going through for the past six times!”
Their two sons, aged 14 and 17, are happy about their parents’ participation in NDP but enjoy their absence on weekends because of training. “No one nagging them over the weekend. Own time, own target,” says Donny. Angelynn readily agrees: “They’re pretty happy – no government on Saturdays!”
SSSGT (V) Alan Tan and his son, C/LTA Javier Tan. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE
SSSGT (V) Alan will be marching with the Volunteer Contingent. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE
C/LTA Javier training the NCC marching contingent during an NDP 2024 rehearsal. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE
Senior Staff Sergeant (V) (SSSGT (V)) Alan Tan and Cadet Lieutenant (C/LTA) Javier Tan
Their roles in NDP 2024: SSSGT (V) Alan, 45, will be marching with the Volunteer Contingent (a 61-member contingent comprising Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) and Home Team Volunteer Network, which will be returning to NDP for the first time since 2019 to commemorate 40 years of Total Defence), while his son, C/LTA Javier, 19, is a trainer for the National Cadet Corps (NCC) marching contingent
SSSGT (V) Alan, a regional HR director at a Japanese multinational corporation, was inspired to join the Volunteer Contingent by his son C/LTA Javier. “He told me this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both of us to join NDP,” says SSSGT (V) Alan shares. His experience so far has been nothing short of fantastic and enriching. “My family is so happy that we are able to join NDP as father and son.”
The biggest challenge for SSSGT (V) Alan? The endurance of standing for over 45 minutes. “It's not only a physical challenge but a mental one as well,” he says. C/LTA Javier taught him a trick to ease the strain: “Just sing along with the spectators, so that you will then participate and be part of the participants.”
Nevertheless, this involvement in NDP 2024 has been particularly interesting for the father-son dynamic. “Every Sunday, we do a review on the way I march, the way I carry my weapon. Javier even takes videos to show me where I need to improve,” SSSGT (V) Alan says. “At home, we are father and son. At the Padang, he's a trainer and I'm a participant. Our roles are switched!”
Meanwhile, C/LTA Javier’s journey with the NCC began in Secondary One, driven by a desire to experience the uniformed group and learn about the army. Despite COVID-19 disrupting his plans, he continued as a Cadet Officer after secondary school to give back to his unit and nurture young leaders.
Seeing his father volunteer and march has been very special. “I definitely feel very proud of him to be able to endure the toughness, even at his age, and I respect him way more than I normally do.”
Their most memorable moment? “Probably the first time I saw my dad marching at Seletar Camp – it was a very eye-opening experience,” says C/LTA Javier. “I never thought in my life that I would be able to see him march in front of me.”
Khairul continues the family tradition of taking part in the NDP. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE
Specialist Cadet Trainee (SCT) Md Khairul Ameer
His role in NDP 2024: He will be marching with the RSN contingent
For SCT Khairul, NDP involvement has always been a family tradition of sorts. Both his parents participated in the 9 Aug celebrations back in the 80s; his mother was a dancer, while his father played in the school band.
His brother was also part of the big day, capturing the action as a member of the media. "He was taking pictures of the participants at the show," the 24-year-old recalls. "It was a challenge because that year, we had just come out of the pandemic, but he and his colleagues rose to the occasion."
So, it comes as no surprise that SCT Khairul has always dreamed of joining NDP. "Since I was a child, I've watched NDP on TV every year without fail," he shares with a grin.
But the journey hasn't been all smooth sailing. SCT Khairul faced a sore throat just as he was appointed to give orders to his contingent, but he persevered and pushed through.
One of the biggest sacrifices for SCT Khairul has been spending less time with his family, but this has only fuelled his spirit to march for his country and continue the family tradition.
Sibling revelry – brothers and sisters in NDP 2024
Skaters Alaina Lee (left) and her twin, Alethea. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
Twin sisters Alaina and Alethea Lee, 11, are skaters from Swift Skating Academy Singapore. At the recent Singapore Short Track Speed Skating Nationals, these dynamic sisters glided their way to the top, with Alaina taking home 1st place and Alethea following closely behind in 2nd place. Next up, they'll be trading ice for the Padang as they prepare to dazzle audiences at NDP 2024 in the Pre-Parade segment.
Marching contingent participants Darwisyh Arfan Bin Abdul Jalil (left) and his twin, Danish Azri Bin Abdul Jalil. | IMAGE: DARWISYH ARFAN BIN ABDUL JALIL
Darwisyh and Danish will be part of a group of more than 2,100 participants in the P&C segment. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE
Darwisyh Arfan Bin Abdul Jalil will be marching with the Scouts contingent, while his twin brother Danish Azri Bin Abdul Jalil will be marching with the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps. Says Darwisyh, with a laugh: "Whenever I visit Danish's contingent, his friends get confused. It would be fun to swap places one time!" Training has been challenging for the 15-year-olds, but they've managed to make many new friends along the way as they are determined to make their parents proud.
Rhythmic gymnasts and first-time NDP participants Thea (left) and Cleo Chew. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
Thea Chew, 15, and her sister Cleo, 17, from Singapore Gymnastics National Training Centre will be performing in the Pre-Parade segment. They are national rhythmic gymnasts, just like their older sisters Jael and Leah. For Thea, performing at NDP is especially meaningful. She missed the NE Show in Primary Five due to COVID-19 restrictions, so she is honoured and thrilled to take the stage this year alongside her sibling.
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