All About NDP and Patriotism

Needless to say, I love the NDP theme song 晴空万里 by 蔡淳佳. I rather hate the idea of not having an extra public holiday - the real reason I don't look forward to this year's NDP. Perhaps I'm just too old (read cynical) for NDP, but I have never understood what all the fuss is about. Though, I doubt all these have anything to do with patriotism.

As far back as I can remember, the only NDPs I truly enjoyed were as a boy, all "conned" by my mum telling me how magical it was - the light, the dances, the marching soldiers. I watched live at National Stadium a few times then, where you could feel the electrifying atmosphere up close. I was moved, not by any love for my homeland, but by the sheer number coming together, clapping, cheering and in awe.

As an NS boy performing in the parade, lifting those PT (wooden) log, all hell broke loose at the end. Amid the fireworks and loud music, we danced, we shouted on the very field that is going to give way to the new sport hub this year. Hot chicks - there were SYTs from various schools - and fun were on our perverted minds. Again, patriotism went MIA. Then there was the time we constructed the gallery of planks and metal rods at Padang - much better then being stuck in camp.

Except, perhaps, that time at the National Stadium watching the Lions playing against the Australia national soccer team, when the national anthem rung in my ears with the roaring lungs of the young. Oh, how pride filled my heart! Or when the Lions' custodian, Lionel Lewis saved that penalty against Malaysia in last year's Tiger Cup - on TV, that is - left me with tears brimming.

Now, my only regret is not saving the MP3 file for 龚诗嘉's 幸福的图形. Remember, that theme song for NDP 2006? I can't seem to find it on the Net.