SINGAPORE - The nation is turning 50 next year, and the Government has several plans to celebrate Singapore's birthday. From a care package for babies born in 2015, to a unique marriage certificate holder for couples tying the knot next year, there are a slew of activities to make the year special.
But the Government is not alone in these initiatives. Private companies have jumped on the jubilee celebration bandwagon. With anyone being able to download and use the SG50 logo, the possibilities have been endless. Here are five companies and what they are doing to mark the occasion.
1. Ayam Brand
Ayam Brand, the company known for its canned food such as tuna and sardine, will be producing and distributing one million limited-edition sardine cans. It called for art entries in August for the design of the cans, and received more than 700 entries. A total of six designs will be printed. Three designs have been revealed, and another three will be shown before the National Day celebrations next year.
2. RISIS
Jewellery maker RISIS came up with the idea of creating five unique pendants that capture Singapore's history from 1965, and use the proceeds to raise funds for the needy.
The limited-edition pendants, specially designed for the celebrations, will each represent a key milestone of Singapore's growth and development based on the themes of nature, the arts, travel, business and food.
The history of Singapore is told through five Singaporeans - Dr Kiat W. Tan, chief executive of Gardens by the Bay and adviser to National Parks Board, music composer Dick Lee, travel host Anita Kapoor, Ms Trina Liang, president of the United Nations Women National Committee Singapore, and Dr Leslie Tay, a food blogger specialising in hawker food.
The pendants have and will be launched every quarter from August 2014 to August 2015. Each pendant costs $50. All proceeds raised will be donated to Community Chest SG50 project, dollar matched by the Government's Care & Share movement till Dec 31, 2014.
3. Viskonsep Chocolate Gallery
Chocolate shop Viskonsep Chocolate Gallery sponsored SG Heart Map inspired chocolates that were given to all the delegates and guests who attended the launch on Nov 14. The SG Heart Map is a crowd-sourced map of places that hold special memories for Singaporeans.
The four-year-old shop will also be sponsoring SG50 goodie bags that will be given away for the opening of the National Art Gallery in November 2015. Singaporeans can also can get chocolates at half the price the whole of next year, starting Jan 1.
4. SK Jewellery
Pure gold and diamond retailer SK Jewellery will sell 999 pieces SG50 Gold Bars to commemorate the nation's 50th birthday. The tagline "Celebrate SG50 Together" is carved intricately at the bottom of the bars, while Chinese characters which mean "a prosperous nation with blissful citizens", are also etched. In addition, 3D technology is used in the crafting of the SG50 Gold Bars, which makes the pictures vivid. The designs include the Merlion as well as some of the iconic buildings in Singapore such as Marina Bay Sands and the Supertree Groves at Gardens By The Bay.
5. Faber-Castell
Did you know that the year Singapore became independent was the year of the Wood Snake according to the Chinese Zodiac? Faber-Castell knew, and decided to base its limited-edition celebratory products on that.
In the Graf von Faber-Castell collection that will be launched in May 2015, the SG50 Special Edition products will have barrels made of snake wood, so named because of its snakeskin-like markings. The SG50 Special Edition products will bear the SG50 logo engraving on a platinum-plated cap, and will be available in sets of four: fountain, ballpoint, rollerball pens and a pencil. There will be only 50 sets.
