SINGAPORE – A sense of anticipation thrummed at the Padang on Aug 9 as the crowd waited for the kick-off to the National Day Parade (NDP) celebrations.

The slight drizzle and relentless heat had nothing on the audience, who sang along to familiar national favourites piped through speakers and thumped energetically to the beat with inflatable thunder sticks.

It was, after all, Singapore’s 60th birthday bash – and the 27,000 people in attendance were ready to celebrate.

A segment in the pre-show of wishes penned by Singaporeans drew laughter, and some crowd favourites were “I want to do well for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)!” and “I want to be on television!”, and heartfelt ones like “I want us to feel safe and welcomed! ” and “I want us to support each other!”.

A segment in the pre-show of wishes penned by Singaporeans drew laughter.

ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

Several Padang waves later, the giant screens showed hosts Joakim Gomez, Sonia Chew, Ebi Shankara and Siti Khalijah “teleporting” from the stage at the Padang to an MRT train.

To the soundtrack Makin’ Our Way, written and composed by home-grown artist Benjamin Kheng, a film showed the hosts riding the train to scenes in Singapore’s history, before they hopped onto a Singapore Big Bus.

There was a surprise appearance made by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the film, who played a riff on an electric guitar at the back of that Singapore Big Bus – to loud cheers from the audience at the Padang.

It was then when the hosts pulled up in person at the Padang.

The National Day Parade hosts arriving at the Padang on Aug 9.

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

The atmosphere turned electric when it became clear that the show had started proper , with the four hosts breaking into song and dance on the Padang stage.

Not a moment was wasted thereafter, as thrilling music drew eyes skywards to the impending arrival of the Red Lions parachutists .

Phones were whipped out, necks craned, and breaths bated as the seven skydivers – leaping from the aircraft at 3,050m above ground and at first appearing as small dots in the sky – spiralled downwards.

Phones were whipped out, necks craned, and breaths bated as the seven skydivers spiralled downwards.

ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

The Red Lions linked their arms together to form a circle, before dispersing in a “bomb burst” manoeuvre complete with red smoke trails to resemble a flower opening .

The Red Lions linked their arms together to form a circle, before dispersing in a “bomb burst” manoeuvre complete with red smoke trails to resemble a flower opening.

ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

At about 1,220m above ground, the Red Lions deployed their parachutes for their descent onto the Padang to resounding cheers from the audience.

At about 1,220m above ground, the Red Lions deployed their parachutes for their descent onto the Padang to resounding cheers from the audience.

ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

The Red Lions’ arrival was just half of the perennial crowd favourite. In the inaugural Jump of Unity at the 2025 parade, seven naval divers parachuted into Marina Bay from a helicopter at about 1,830m above ground.

In the inaugural Jump of Unity at the parade, seven naval divers parachuted into Marina Bay from a helicopter at about 1,830m above ground.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Their splashdown in Marina Bay was similarly met with thunderous roars from the massive crowd gathered at the promontory on the bay .

The naval divers waving to the crowd at Merlion Park.

ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

After their dramatic jumps, the 14 Red Lions and naval divers performed a combined simultaneous salute from their separate landing sites.

Audience members then turned their eyes to a video featuring Singaporeans from all walks of life talking about their wishes for their community and themselves.

As night fell, the camera panned to members of the crowd holding up their wish placards, illuminating the idea of collective hope for the nation’s future.

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