Our First step to a brighter singapore
by: Anusha CHONG & Elliot
Dreams for Singapore:
8000 sky lanterns will not be released in order not to cause any harm to the environment. (photo by: Nur Arianty)
Chingay 2016 heralds in a new era of dream – our first step towards SG100, the next biggest milestone for Singapore. This year Asia’s largest street parade aims to be the brightest of all ever hosted. “Lights of legacy, Brighter Singapore” will make its appearance for the 44th time at the F1 Pit Building on the 19 and 20 February 2016.
The theme for the parade, “Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore” focuses on the core values of our Founding fathers and our first Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. This year Chingay pays tribute to one of our major loss of the country, Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew and our other pioneers.
Serving as a promise to stride forward towards a brighter Singapore, 800 youths in LED suits with lighted banners will kick start the parade. The lighted banners moving through the dark displays Singapore’s perseverance and determination through the dark times , until SG50, when we triumphed against all odds and emerge as one Singapore.
Chingay 2016 will showcase 8 thousand performers from over all over the world including Malaysia and Japan, and over 150 organizations. For the first time there will be a musical performance by religious leaders from more than 30 religious organisations, adding on to the multiracial and multicultural atmosphere
Besides amazing performances, one of the main highlights of the night would be
the grand finale with the spectacular fireworks display to promise an exciting future ahead. A total of 8000 sky lanterns, decorated by residents, will be used as a prop for the finale by our young performers, symbolizing the passing of core values from the pioneer generation to the next.
According to performers from the Eurasian Association who has performed last year and a few years before, Chingay 2016 step up their game starting this year, with costumes and choreography. Roberts Chanel Christine, 17, said: “The costumes are no longer old schooled space suits and are easier to dance in, that is a big bonus for Chingay this year.”
This year’s Chingay is the first step towards SG100 and towards more dreams being achieved in the future.
Dancing Duo adds fraternal spice to parade
by: anusha chong & nur arianty
Passion entwines brotherhood:
No matter where they are, brothers, Syamil (Left) and Syarul (Right), shares a close bond (photo by: Nur Arianty)
From spontaneous childhood dance parties to sharing the same adolescent dance crew, this duo is not just crewmates from the Fantastic Four crew but brothers that have a heart for dance. Their passion bridges the six year age gap between them. For them, Chingay 2016 will be yet another milestone in their groovy dance journey together.
Brothers Syamil Asyraf, 17, and Syarul Ezuan, 23, have had many experiences dancing and competing together. However, Chingay 2016: Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore, will be a unique memory for them.
Syarul is the choreographer for Eurasian Association travelling dance item, the second biggest National event he has choreographed for the kids other than Sea Games 2015. This year, Syamil is dancing for him. This opportunity helped the brothers make up for their lost bonding time, learn more about one another and get inspired by each other.
The choreographed piece is an upbeat Hip Hop item that not only brings joy to the audience but the performers as well. The inspiration behind the choreographed piece was from Syarul’s experience being a performer himself back in Chingay 2010. In that year, his younger brother also performed in Chingay but was with his primary school.
When asked what made them came back, they said: “Chingay is a place where I can make friends with strangers without it being weird.”
Despite Syamil showing support and going for classes Syarul teaches at, this experience provided a new insight for both. “It was really heartwarming to see my younger brother grow in terms of his dancing and leadership skills,” said Syarul. Syamil is also one of the eldest and the leader of the group of 18 dancers ranging from 11 to 17 years old.
Travelling items are never easy to choreograph especially in a bigger scale like Chingay with different sections to perform at. Dancers are easily tired out just by the travelling hence choreographing a piece that would fit the stamina of the dancers is a challenge for Syarul. When asked what he did to accommodate to the young dancers, he said, “I tried my best to make sure that the choreography is simple and easy to travel in. The choreography took me 3 to 4 months to complete.”
Although Syamil is directly related to Syarul, no special treatment is granted to him. Syarul admitted that he is harsher towards his brother and expects more from him especially because he is the leader of his team. During cleanups and conditioning, Syamil, is expected to do more push ups and crunches than the rest. Syamil understands and agrees with his brother. “I feel the pressure to do more, and obviously, I have to,” he said.
The brothers would love to share the same stage again and potentially collaborate as choreographers. Syamil looks up to his brother and inspires to be a better dancer as well as a choreographer like his brother in the future. Syamil said: “He is my elder brother, I will always look up to him.”