The National Day Parade returned as a ticketed event this year for the first time in three years – and it didn't disappoint. It brought the usual pomp, with disciplined marching by shiny contingents and exciting live demonstrations by Singapore's national and internal defense teams. It brought the razzle dazzle, through touchingly acted video narratives alongside energetic onstage performances. And it also delivered on the memes, which are now making the rounds on social media. If you missed the livestream, here's a recap of some of NDP 2022's most memorable moments.
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This is, by far, the most talked about moment from NDP 2022. Third Warrant Officer (3WO) Jeffrey Heng drew gasps from the crowd when he took a rough landing on the Marina Bay floating platform and had to be stretchered off. Responding to concern from the public, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen updated on Facebook that the Red Lion was "stable, alert and conscious, and he is receiving medical attention". Here's wishing 3WO Jeffrey Heng a quick recovery!
The moment that spawned a hundred memes – during the National Anthem, this man was spotted singing with tears streaming dramatically down his cheeks. Mr. Azuan Tan, a secondary school teacher, is now the subject of memes on social media and was even singled out by Minister Lawrence Wong in a Facebook post who said, "This is turning out to be one of the iconic images of NDP 2022", signifiying the challenging and emotional two years the country has been through.
Whether former Night Owl Cinematics talent Nicole Liel was planted in the audience to do an interview for NDP or not, there's no denying that many Singaporeans found her responses highly relatable. In response to NDP host Rishi Budhrani's question about what she was grateful for, Nicole enthusiastically thanked the Housing Development Board for giving her a BTO queue number. Another thing that makes her grateful to be Singaporean? Ya Kun Kaya Toast. We approve.
NDP this year was notable for the narrative videos, which were screened alongside vibrant live performances at the floating platform. One that stood out was Chapter 1: This is Our Life!, featuring dance performances that depict life in Singapore before the Covid-19 pandemic. We loved the supermarket dance segment – where an unassuming office worker fails to resist joining supermarket employees in their energetic dance. He busts out some cool moves, including an impressive jump split.
A National Day parade during the Hungry Ghost Festival naturally calls for a massive getai stage. Following rousing performances by singers Jacintha Abisheganaden, Rahimah Rahim, Shabir in English, Malay and Tamil, getai veteran Liu Ling Ling took the stage with a boisterous rendition of One Half (Ji Lang Ji Pua). This is the first time a Hokkien song was performed at NDP and it certainly got the crowd fired up. We hope the spirits enjoyed it too.
NDP fireworks are always impressive, but the one that burst over the Marina Bay floating platform during Taufik Batisah's performance of the NDP theme song Stronger Together simply takes the cake. It's on the nose too, perfectly complementing the song's lyrics, "We will rise stronger together / Like a phoenix from the flames". Bravo.
If you stayed through the end credits, you might have spotted an NDP motivator holding up a piece of paper with the words "hi mom" written on it. It was a cute and funny moment to cap off what was a heartwarming NDP.
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