What Do You See?

Watching NDP has been one of my favourite events of the year. I loved watching the Apaches, the military police doing their cool stunts with the rifles, Chinooks flying with the huge Singapore flag, the amazing transformations by the performers and of course, the singing of the national songs which definitely evokes the feeling of patriotism.

I thought I was going to grow out of watching NDP especially it has since moved to the floating platform at Marina Bay (including failed attempts to get NDP tickets). When I was away last year, I wasn't motivated to watch the parade online either plus and darn, that year it rained for the first time after many many years.

This year's NDP somewhat has reignited my interest. There seems to have a whole lot of hype and publicity. There were road shows held in the heartland, mini campaigns and what was pleasantly surprised was that the NDP Exco had invited Mr Brown to be part of this year's NDP where he would cover the behind-the-scenes actions for NDP 2009.

Well, it might be a plot by the Gahmen like what Mr Brown had suspected. I too raised my brow when I heard that from the news. Plot or not, I thought the objective of reaching out to more people via various channels was met. And it did make me took the time to go online to "check it out".

So, the Gahmen isn't that rigid and inflexible afterall.

You might like to visit this link if you are keen to find out what goes behind the scenes. For those who are working in the Gahmen, I guess it will serve as a good reminder of the tough (well, sometimes @#$%) work you have done and more to come in future. For those who aren't in the service, well, please appreciate the work these people have done, although not all are relevant. You know what I mean.

Mr Brown goes to the NDP 2009

I've been reading comments in the papers about this year's NDP song. To be honest, everytime they played the song after a show, I usually switched channels. Not that I didn't appreciate the song but somehow it just didn't catch my attention. Until I caught the spoof of the NDP 2009 Theme Song "Lekuasimi" (aka you see what see in Hokkien) which made me appreciate the original version (but I had to admit that I remembered the lyrics of the spoof version more clearly, partly thanks to Uncle Tan for continuously humming the spoof version). You'll know what I mean after you've watched it. Honestly, the tune is quite catchy, just that it's not that easy to sing along except "What do you see? What do you see?"

I remembered asking my ex-boss who used to be with the RSAF why the need to spend so much time, money and effort on NDP. Well, besides showing others (shan't be too politically explicit here) what latest gadgets we have and the strength of our military power, it's also a National Education time where it serves to remind all Singaporeans not to take what we have built and achieved for granted and we should all feel proud to be a Singaporean and to face the challenges together as a nation despite our size.

Don't dismiss it as something insignificant and that it can't make people feel patriotic with just that one celebration (to be exact, should be 8 in all including the rehearsals which I too had just found out from Mr Brown). I was told that even an Ah Beng who is not that patriotic cried when he was watching the NDP live onsite.

P/S: Whoever has lobangs for next year's NDP pleassse let me know. I haven't been to any one yet for the last 31 years. Thank you in advance.

I thought the Pledge Moment was a great idea. Not only those who went to the parade can experience the feeling of patriotism, I believe those who took part in the pledge too must have felt something. Uncle Tan and I did though it was done in front of the TV. It didn't require a lot of effort, it might be a little awkward to some, but it's a powerful way to reaffirm your beliefs. Just like renewing your marriage vows.

Btw, in case you wonder who Mr Brown is, he isn't an angmoh (or perhaps he wanted to become one). He is the veteran Singapore blogger who writes satirical stuff on Singapore National Education Series and other funny musings on the dysfunctional side of Singapore life since 1997.

I wanted to do a similar spoof titled "Aijiasimi" (what do you wanna eat) given that Singapore is a food paradise and this is a common question asked before lunch time. I'm only a few lines done and perhaps could save it for next year if they happen to do something like "Lechiosimi" (what are you laughing about) as the economy should have improved by then =)