Just 3 days before Singapores 40th National Day, I was already basking in the excitement and fervour of our nations birthday celebrations. I was one of the crowd of people who gathered at the NUS University Cultural Centre on the 6th of August, Saturday, to watch the S40 Musical All For Love. The audience was treated to an afternoon of song, drama and festivities - even as we feasted our eyes upon the goings-on on stage, our voices could not help but join in the merry singing, whilst simultaneously banging our red-and-white clappers to the beat, and shining our mini-torchlights in unison. Indeed, it was difficult to believe that the cast of the musical had no prior stage experience because their performance was definitely a memorable one!
The musicals lead character, Kok Seng, told of many a Singaporeans dream to be successful in life, and climb the corporate ladder. He also shared with us his agony and fear of failure when he lost all that he had so painstakingly built up over the years, something those from the baby-boomer generation can relate to, after they lost their jobs as a result of the Asian Economic crisis and the later recession years. Yet, the musical ends on a happy note, where we see Kok Seng welcomed with open arms by his family and given a chance to start anew as a partner in the badminton school, pursuing the passion that he had left behind previously. This was particularly poignant for me, because it signified the hope, love and support that would always come from our home. No matter who we are or who we become, Singapore will always be our home indeed, this is home, truly, where I know I must be, where my dreams wait for me, where the river always flows.
In addition to the heartwarming storyline of the musical, I was especially enchanted with the theme song of the musical All for Love. With its simple lyrics and catchy tune, it certainly got the audiences feet tapping to the beat and hands clapping along. In fact, when the audience was asked to join in the final stanza of the song at the end of the musical, everyone, from the youngest child in the auditorium, to our Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, got to their feet and sang with pride in their voices, All for Love for Country, a resounding and heartwarming melody, that even now resounds in my heart, making me all the more proud to be a Singaporean.
Happy 40th National Day, Singapore! Im glad that I can call you my home. :)
