How will you be spending SG50?

50 years of nation building for Singapore will culminate in our much-anticipated golden jubilee celebrations this weekend – Weekender finds out how various Singaporeans are celebrating our nation’s 50th

Free entry into national attractions, 50 per cent off hotel stays and buffets, and limited edition collector’s items – it’s no secret that retailers and attractions have been making this SG50 an all-round enjoyable year for all Singaporeans.

Of course, Singapore’s 50th birthday is much more than discounts and freebies. It’s all about who we are
and how far we’ve come! We find out how local Singaporeans from different walks of life will be celebrating
our golden jubilee.

Mr Malcolm Chen, 69, cycling enthusiast

What will you be doing on the SG50 weekend?

I have a few activities for my 70th birthday, and I’d like to catch the parade on TV. I’ll also be spending time with my father, who is 100 years old!

How have you been celebrating SG50 so far?

Some of my friends have booked [me] to cycle as a way of celebrating SG50. I’m also conceptualising a programme for cycling with special needs children and the elderly. It will be in honour of my mother, who passed away last year at 95 years old.

What do you love most about Singapore?

From my childhood days until now, Singapore has been home to me…

I think Singapore is much more stabilised now, too. Healthcare is something we elderly are especially happy with. I feel more secure and at ease here. What we have, compared to nearby countries, is very good.

What hopes do you have for Singapore and Singaporeans?

We should all indulge in a healthier lifestyle. It’s something I encourage for the elderly – be physically active.

The youths also need to manage their time to include more physical activities, like walking and exercising. Take the stairs and do some light exercises instead of taking lifts all the time.

And I believe our youths need to look more out of the box, and learn from others overseas.

Mrs Beatrice Tan, 26, mother of two

What will you be doing on the SG50 weekend?

On Aug 9 itself, we will catch the parade on TV and throw a mini-party. We might go for the free Cable Car Joyrides on Aug 10 – it’ll be our first ride as a family.

How have you been celebrating SG50 so far?

My whole family has signed up for the free ActiveSG membership and have been using it frequently at the swimming complex. We also took advantage of the great promotions at the zoo and Gardens by the Bay.

What do you love most about Singapore?

I feel really grateful to have my kids in Singapore. I particularly like how Singapore’s strong education system provides ‘tough love’ for its students to aim higher.

What hopes do you have for Singapore and Singaporeans?

I wish that Singaporeans can grow to be more appreciative of our country. My dream for Singapore is that it will continue to develop into a better and stronger nation for future generations.

Ho Sian Sue, 19, student

What will you be doing on the SG50 weekend?

Hanging out with friends and rushing assignments!

How have you been celebrating SG50 so far?

I took part in the SG50 50km for 50 days events. Even though it was very hard to complete, I’m grateful for the cheers I received that made it easier.

What do you love most about Singapore?

I love how Singapore is a place with no gender discrimination. Also, being a county with very good security, I am able to go out with my friends ‘til late at night.

What hopes do you have for Singapore and Singaporeans?

I wish that Singaporeans could return to the kampong days, when everyone was more friendly and approachable. Also, I hope that Singaporeans will be more willing to smile at one another, to make someone else’s day better.

Vera Mao, 23, fashion blogger

What will you be doing on the SG50 weekend?

I’ll probably be going for an evening picnic at the Botanic Gardens, then heading to Marina Barrage to catch the fireworks.

How have you been celebrating SG50 so far?

It was fun participating in some of the cultural fringe activities at Esplanade and museums. I also especially enjoyed the photo wall graffiti at Rochor Centre.

What do you love most about Singapore?

The convenience, definitely, and how there’s always so much good food to explore; both restaurants and hawker food included.

What hopes do you have for Singapore and Singaporeans?

I hope that Singaporeans will be more open to accepting differences and embracing arts and culture, on top of just shopping and eating out on weekends.

I also wish that Singapore will continue to prosper economically so that everyone can have a better city to live in.

Shree Ann Mathavan, 35, public relations manager

What will you be doing on the SG50 weekend?

I’ll definitely be in Singapore, hanging out with friends and going around East Coast to catch the fireworks.

How have you been celebrating SG50 so far?

I participated in the National Gallery’s SG50 Portraits of the People – I sketched myself into a portrait and it went into the walkway from the new National Gallery City Hall.

I also brought my German cousins to the Zoo, taking advantage of the free entry!

What do you love most about Singapore?

Security – that can’t be beaten. I like to take long walks and runs, so the fact that we can go out at any time of the day and be quite confident we’re going to be safe is very reassuring.

This is also where my friends and family are, so it’ll always be special to me.

What hopes do you have for Singapore and Singaporeans?

I want the country to always be progressive without losing sight of traditions and history. We should preserve the heritage and history in buildings. It’s nice to have monuments that speak for our history.

Wondering what you can do to celebrate SG50? Check out our events page for long weekend ideas!

Editor’s note: This article has been amended to reflect Mr Malcolm Chen’s corrected photo. In the print version of the article, we had used Mr Chen’s father’s photo in place of his picture. We apologise for the error.