SINGAPORE - Singer JJ Lin wished Singapore a happy birthday by dropping a surprise acoustic performance of National Day songs.
In the video posted on Instagram in the wee hours of Monday (Aug 9), the Singaporean superstar, who is based in Taiwan but back in town for a visit, strummed on the guitar and sang a medley.
He was accompanied on the guitar by his friend and fellow musician, Ang Junyang, who wore a face mask.
In a pared-down but heartfelt performance, Lin, 40, sang Kit Chan's Home from 1998, followed by his own 2015 contribution Our Singapore. He ended with this year's song, The Road Ahead.
"Sometimes, the road ahead can seem confusing, but we remain steadfast and stand strong, because the values we've held dearly are the very ones that will carry us through any and every tide," he wrote in the caption.
"Happy 56th birthday, Singapore, glad to be home to celebrate with family and friends, and to be reminded of the strong fortress of love and support all around."
Veteran actress Jin Yinji also celebrated the nation's birthday on TikTok in a post on Sunday (Aug 8).
The sprightly 75-year-old, who can dance more energetically than those half her age, was joined by her two helpers in a couple of videos which showed off their moves to BTS' latest hit, Permission To Dance.
They were togged out in red and white, and two Singapore flags could be seen in the background.
In one of the videos, towards the end, two young boys in red, presumably her grandsons, also cavorted in the frame.
Other home-grown singers such as Stefanie Sun, Tanya Chua and Kelly Poon also lent their voices to wishing the nation a happy birthday.
Poon, 38, who is currently in Taiwan, sang a medley of NDP songs accompanied by her husband, Taiwanese music producer Roger Yo, on the keyboard.
Chua, 46, is also overseas, but managed to join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra remotely to sing her 2001 NDP hit Where I Belong. The SSO's rearrangement also showcased singers Syakirah Noble and Umar Sirhan, as well as 14-year-old violinist Chloe Chua.
Sun, another NDP singer-songwriter, posted a short clip of her singing a few lines of songs from past parades. The 43-year-old ended with: "Here's wishing everyone a happy national day."
Other local celebrities posted well-wishes in photos and videos.
Actor Chen Yixi, 30, who is also an artist, posted a drawing of what appeared to be the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, Singapore's national flower. He also included an animation of the drawing process.
