{"id":32434,"date":"2026-02-28T19:18:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T11:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=32434"},"modified":"2026-02-28T19:18:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T11:18:37","slug":"student-migrant-worker-and-percussionist-performing-in-chingay-2026-share-wishes-for-singapore-lifestyle-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=32434","title":{"rendered":"Student, migrant worker and percussionist performing in Chingay 2026 share wishes for Singapore, Lifestyle News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The two-day Chingay Parade kicked off on Friday (Feb 27) evening, featuring a circular multi-tier stage for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>This year&#8217;s theme, Wish, brings together over 3,000 performers in a 90-minute show.<\/p>\n<p>Half of the eight-act performance is inspired by ethnic festivals of Chinese New Year, Christmas, Deepavali and Hari Raya, highlighting the common values and celebratory spirit that unite racial communities, said the People&#8217;s Association.<\/p>\n<p>From a sequence inspired by <em>lohei<\/em> to a classic peacock dance, the audience is in for a treat, with a range of high-energy performances, massive floats, and dynamic choreography.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>AsiaOne speaks to some Chingay Parade performers to learn about their wishes for Singapore.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"773\" width=\"500\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fasiaonecom%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0XD8LyQMsE1VBYSPRQd8bRgbSKbWJ7KpdfFP975Xa13uFQHKpVRTrnHHY4ymAcpETl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\">\u00a0<\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Wish #1: Employment for fresh grads<\/h2>\n<p>Act 1 of the parade, titled Lantern of Renewal, celebrates the Chinese New Year spirit through a tale of reunion and blessings.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The segment features over 500 performers \u2014 including lion and dragon dance performers, stilt walkers, and traditional Chinese instrumentalists \u2014 in a high-energy dance inspired by <em>lohei<\/em>, reimagined with contemporary rap beats.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-entity-uuid=\"8c116436-ae9c-41ad-af00-8d4b843a19f7\" data-entity-type=\"file\" height=\"4672\" width=\"7008\" src=\"Michael wishes for all fresh graduates to find employment so they can support Singapore's economy. PHOTO: AsiaOne\/Dennis Palit\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Michael Gabriel Madlangbayan, a 26-year-old student from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), is part of the contingent.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to AsiaOne, Michael, a member of local dance crew STNY, said his dance instructor had invited students to join the parade.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As a first-time performer at the Chingay Parade, one reason he took part is his fear of missing out after hearing positive things about last year&#8217;s parade from his peers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another reason is that he is graduating this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I wanted to try participating because I think by next year, I wouldn&#8217;t have the time to do this,&#8221; he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Decked out in a bright red costume inspired by origami, Michael told us that he is very excited to participate in the celebrations, especially for his segment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I enjoy the song that I&#8217;m dancing to. I think it&#8217;s a very interesting, modernised take on traditional Chinese New Year songs. It has a hip-hop vibe with a mix of traditional instruments,&#8221; he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Michael, who has spent many Saturdays rehearsing since December, has a bittersweet feeling as the event comes to a close.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll miss performing, making a lot of noise with the other participants, and performing our hearts out,&#8221; he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In line with this year&#8217;s theme, Michael wishes for all fresh graduates to be able to find employment so they can support Singapore&#8217;s economy. He also hopes everyone will stay safe and healthy.<\/p>\n<h2>Wish #2: A happy new year\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p>Act 3, titled Wishes of Light and Hope, features over 300 performers showcasing a variety of Indian art forms, including lamp and lotus, classical peacock, and horse dances, set to traditional Indian music.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A highlight of the segment is the migrant workers who are taking part in Chingay Parade for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to AsiaOne, Selvaraj John Peter from the Migrant Workers&#8217; Centre (MWC) contingent expressed excitement about performing in the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m very proud and happy to participate,&#8221; the 34-year-old said.<\/p>\n<p>The safety coordinator, who has worked in Singapore for 10 years, wore a vibrant costume that shimmers every time he twirls.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-entity-uuid=\"a2319684-6870-4b7e-a2da-6ec7ac92bff9\" data-entity-type=\"file\" height=\"4672\" width=\"7008\" src=\"Selvaraj showing off his beautiful costume. PHOTO: AsiaOne\/Dennis Palit\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Last year, Selvaraj watched the parade as an MWC ambassador (grassroots representatives in their community and at their workplaces).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Despite not being the best dancer, the performances inspired him to put his name forward for this year&#8217;s event.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I saw so many people from different cultures and nationalities perform, so this year I decided to become one of them,&#8221; said the MWC ambassador of eight years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For three months, Selvaraj attended practice sessions on Sundays, with each session lasting two to three hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As only MWC ambassadors can participate in the parade, Selvaraj said he is grateful he was selected to be one of the performers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not many people get an opportunity like this, so I&#8217;m really very happy. I will never forget this lifetime experience,&#8221; he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His wish for Singapore is simple \u2014 for everyone to have a happy new year.<\/p>\n<h2>Wish #3: Many more years of Chingay\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p>Coming all the way from Kelantan, Malaysia, to participate in the parade is Shafic Aminuddin Hussin.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Titled The Light of Asean Nations, Act 6 features Singapore and its Asean neighbours coming together in a celebration of regional unity and cultural diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Percussionists from four Asean countries, including Shafic, flew in to perform alongside Singapore&#8217;s multi-ethnic drum ensemble at Chingay 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are proud and happy to represent our country,&#8221; he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A full-time musician with years of experience under his belt, Shafic told AsiaOne that he managed to learn the song he was performing in a day, and only needed two days of rehearsals.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-entity-uuid=\"ff8e49fe-81e3-407f-ad3c-18ed33f7d5dd\" data-entity-type=\"file\" height=\"4672\" width=\"7008\" src=\"Shafic flew in from Malaysia to perform at Chingay Parade 2026. PHOTO: AsiaOne\/Dennis Palit\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The 38-year-old shared that it has been a joy performing at Chingay because the work is both easy and exciting.<\/p>\n<p>Shafic used to participate in similar festivals in Malaysia years ago, but the country no longer hosts such large-scale events.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So when I performed at Chingay and saw how extensive the parade was, I was impressed and happy,&#8221; he said, adding that the experience made him feel nostalgic.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In fact, Shafic enjoyed the performance so much, his wish is for Singapore to continue holding the event for a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chingay is a great place to build bonds with people from different backgrounds, he told us.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The festival is very good because it allows us to meet new people, learn more about each other&#8217;s cultures, and reconnect with old friends.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"591\" width=\"267\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2394035001026955%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=267&amp;t=0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\">\u00a0<\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Pre-parade festivities<\/h2>\n<p>Before watching the parade, members of the public can enjoy several free activities.<\/p>\n<p>Over at the PAssionArts Street @ Chingay, visitors can check out 19 interactive art installations co-created by residents and students.<\/p>\n<p>These installations highlight community participation and grassroots creativity, while offering photo opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Visitors can also<strong> <\/strong>try their hand at arts workshops offering activities such as keychain crafting, marbling fan art, and eco pouch making.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Adding to the festivities are the vibrant mix of music and dance performances across Friday and Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The public can also visit the Our Chingay, Step In exhibition.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This<strong> <\/strong>immersive zone showcases Chingay as a living heritage and allows parade-goers to learn more about the cultural event.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It also highlights the ongoing collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia in their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asiaone.com\/lifestyle\/singapore-and-malaysia-jointly-nominate-chingay-unescos-intangible-cultural-heritage-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">joint pursuit of Unesco recognition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Address: 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975<\/em><br \/><em>Dates: Feb 27 and 28<\/em><br \/><em>Event time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[[nid:726272]]<\/p>\n<p><em>No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>melissateo@asiaone.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.asiaone.com\/lifestyle\/chingay-2026-performers-wish\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The two-day Chingay Parade kicked off on Friday (Feb 27) evening, featuring a circular multi-tier stage for the first time. This year&#8217;s theme, Wish, brings&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32435,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32434\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}