Clutching our media passes with great excitement, Kenneth and I made our way through throngs of people to finally arrive at the parade grounds, where the performers were all waiting for the parade to start. Thanks to the media pass, we managed to walk around to snap some behind the scenes photos as well as chat up with some of this year's participants. Here's NUS Kent Ridge Hall, putting on some final touches to their elaborate face paints.
Walking around, how could anyone miss this entire group of cheeky little girls and their merry laughter, entertaining themselves with games long forgotten by me, like scissors paper stone and others, whom I can no longer recall. However, as I approached them, they suddenly became shy little things and needed some coaxing before they agreed to have their pictures taken. However, once the camera started clicking, more rushed in and demanded to be in the photo as well, but those pictures did not turn out that well, haha!
"I want to have my picture taken too!" And I was happy to comply.
Did anyone of you join in the wearable art contingent? There certainly were many many memorable costumes, such as this guy, who has on a pretty titillating costume.
What do you do when your children outgrow their stuffed toys? Well, you make them into wearable art! She has so many sewn on that she lost count as she recalled her sewing process with a chuckle.
Referring back to my first blog post, here's the angpao costume! Anyone saw her? Feisty huh!
With a parade on such a huge scale, one is bound to meet some friends, as I have. Notice I am wearing the Chingay colors! And being really relieved that without any bags, I was able to breeze through all the security checks and the metal detectors. Security was really tight. You don't want your parade to be marred by any accidents, and the home team will take no chances.
City Hall all decked out looking very pretty and with the participants all ready for the greatest Chingay parade we have seen yet.
I hope he is not yawning because the parade was boring. Everyone was paying real close attention. Actually its just the very enthusiastic crowd motivators trying to hype up the audience. They did a commendable job, considering they were all volunteers.
The air was heavy with anticipation, waiting for the VVIPs (our President, as well as the Senior Minister) to start the parade officially. Something about inserting a lost token to release the jester (the lively Gani Abdul Karim) from his "stuffy little chest". About time, since it was already more than half an hour late.
With the token in place, the Royal Jester has set in motion a grand opening act of so huge a scale as never seen before in any previous Chingay parades.
The aptly named Roaring Ahead float, to kick start the float procession.
Closely followed by NTU's debut float, looking resplendent here.
Speaking of dragons, the Tong Liang Fire Dragon surely deserves a special mention. See those sparks? They are molten iron, which is at an insanely hot temperature of 1,300 Celsius. Its still a mystery how the topless dragon dancers could still perform such graceful moves in this shower of fiery inferno. The visual effect of the sparks were enhanced even more by the dimmed lighting. AWESOME!
The meaning of a subtle differentiation between the male and female giant puppets were lost in translation.
I've always wondered if the people on the floats feel tired after all that waving. What happens if you happen to be MPs for your GRC?
Just had to include the performance of the little girls whom I introduced at the beginning of this post.
This time around, their big momma came along with them to ensure they behave.
And here's the giant ant float, which I mistook for the head of the caterpillar float in my previous blog entry.
This year, audience interaction is encouraged, and the performers took it seriously, going all the way into the grandstands to distribute various goodies, even red packets! I think the best interaction was the one where an indian girl came into my area and gave out some percussion sticks to the audience and encouraged them to hit the sticks to the rhythm of the music. Now, that is not just audience interaction, that is audience participation as well. Extra points!
The other Chingay blogger Gary said he will be one of the ants. I wonder if I managed to catch him in action?
This year, as part of the finale, a world class magic illusion show was staged. While it took some time to figure out how best to carry the illusions out, I was honestly flabbergasted by how the magic "Princess" orchestrated her appearance in the cage, seen here, suspended high above the float. The cage travelled along with the float and was hanging high up, dangling in mid air empty the entire time. Truly mind boggling.
Here's the huge fire when mater magician Lawrence Khong was set ablaze, and subsequently surprising everyone by appearing unharmed and free, atop the City Hall building. Did I also mention his entrance? He came in riding a HORSE! WOAH!
And with that, it was time for yet another record breaking finale show featuring Chingay King and Queen as played by George Chan and Nancy Yuen. What wonderful voices! They had me humming the Chingay tune till all the way home, honest.
Another round of anticipation and surprise, the moment right before the sky was set aflame.
With fireworks.
Marking the dramatic and cinematic climax to the best Chingay parade yet.
Followed by a blizzard of confetti.
That streamed down endlessly, covering every exposed surface in a thick thick layer of pink and white. Its almost like snow, hence the "blizzard of confetti". Bleach fans will note the similarity to Kuchiki Byakuya's Senbonzakura. What a beautiful and poetic way to end off this year's parade.
I was obviously not the only one enthralled by the sudden wintry scene.
Chingay is not just a visual treat for local Singaporeans, but also for visitors from all over the world. These 2 ladies hail all the way from freezing England, coming to sunny Singapore in search of warmth and I was sure they will find that and more. They added that they arrived just last night, and after hearing so many good comments about Chingay, decided to come and see for themselves. Verdict? Better than anything they have ever seen.
With the end of the parade segment, the road was prompted cleaned up by our ultra efficient cleaners, clearing bags after bags of confetti in preparation for City Alive! Why clear the road so soon? Its Singapore after all you know! Litter cannot be tolerated for more than necessary! The DJs and other VVIPs got to be on one of these Hippo buses.
It was not just a dance party, but also a dance competition as Funkamania holds its 14th edition in its first collaboration with City Alive!
8 finalists battle it out, who will emerge victorious?
And it turns out, the judges will announce the second runner up, with the top 2 places open for a freestyle 'live' dance battle between the top 2 groups. Second runner up was Fantastic Remix, and the top 2 spots went to Pink Dollar$ Crew and Poppers Action Party. Below you see the Pink team (in black) in the process of a really heated battle with the PAP team (in white).
As the dance moves became more aggressive and not to mention explicit, the judges had to call for time out and separate the 2 groups, restricting them to alternating segments. Here's Poppers Action Party showing off some moves first.
With the Pink Dollar$ Crew in the corner watching, very much more subdued this time around.
It was a real tough fight and the judges were visibly undecided too. To award the winner to the aggressive and sometimes overly sexually explicit group with the superior techniques? Or to award the tamer team with a decidedly more friendly idea of "sportsmanship"? Personally, while I was slightly taken aback by the antics of Pink Dollar$ Crew, I had to give it to them because dance is after all a performance, and in a performance, showmanship matters. And they had the showmanship and techniques alright. Here are the 2 groups congratulating each other after Pink Dollar$ were awarded the champion for this year's Funkmania. I felt that both teams, especially Poppers Party have shown commendable sportsmanship.Respect.
The Pink Dollar$ posing for the win. At this point it dawned upon me an added significance of both group names. The PAP versus the "Pink" group. Sounds familiar? This time round in Funkamania, the Pink team might have won, but in the larger societal context, the winners are still the PAP who officially outlaws the behavior of the pink team. Obvious enough? Uncanny huh?
What's a street party without the ubiquitous huge bouncing balls? Unfortunately their ultimate fate was being torn apart by the party goers, who had to have a piece of the action, literally.
Some sexy bunny babes, with a well, actual bunny.
The party goers enjoying themselves. Chingay might have started off as a Chinese New Year celebration, but in its current edition, it has come more to signify the multi cultural and multi racial aspects of Singaporean life. Guess this picture is a good example of how we can all come together, crossing racial boundaries to have a good time together.
More party goers showing their approval for the party.
And when you tell them you're from STOMP, they want more action. STOMP, can I blog for more events? Hahahah!
And this wraps up my Chingay experience. It has been truly wonderful and very memorable. All the behind the scene chances to meet and interact with so many people have been priceless. The passion shown by the organisers and performers were really touching. Everyone puts in so much effort to put up a great show for the audience. Its amazing how passion can transform people. Thank you STOMP and everyone, please vote for me!
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