Amateur film-maker shares videos of NDP rehearsals, lists times and best ‘vantage points’
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Mr Teng Chia Ping, 44, has spent several weekends filming various aspects of the National Day Parade rehearsals.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TENG CHIA PING
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SINGAPORE - Mr Teng Chia Ping says he is “too old to feel any deep sort of patriotic pride” over the National Day Parade (NDP).
Yet the 44-year-old amateur film-maker has spent several weekends recording parade rehearsals and brisk walking from location to location, despite having a bad knee from an old injury.
Mr Teng, who works in real estate, took time to compile a spreadsheet listing the times and locations of the rehearsals – such as for the Uncasing of the Colours ceremony on Anderson Bridge and the 21-gun presidential salute in Marina Bay – which mirrors the schedule of the actual parade.
He then shared it on social media platform Reddit.
Mr Teng, who attended an NDP at the old National Stadium in Kallang as a teenager in the 1990s, told The Straits Times he hopes the timetable will help both him and others to better anticipate the different segments of the parade, whether it is for filming purposes or to just enjoy the festivities.
After capturing the footage he wants, the self-taught film-maker posts a video on his YouTube channel, Vicarious Walker, offering his viewers an “unofficial multi-location perspective of the NDP”.
He has posted three videos on the 2024 parade rehearsals so far.
His spreadsheet on Reddit, which is accompanied by screenshots of rehearsal videos he has taken, has received more than 95 upvotes, and he has been praised by netizens for the nice visuals he captured.
elndp17 - NDP2024 timetable on Reddit PHOTO: COURTESY OF TENG CHIA PING
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TENG CHIA PING
Having previously filmed and shared two similar videos – combining footage from the rehearsals and the actual parade – of the 2023 NDP, Mr Teng said some watch his videos to figure out the best vantage points from which to watch their favourite segment of the parade.
Mr Teng has compiled a spreadsheet with the timings, locations and vantage points to watch different NDP segments, including the 21-gun presidential salute at Marina Bay.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TENG CHIA PING
Mr Teng, who is single, watched videos posted by other YouTubers before coming up with the idea of compiling and sharing a spreadsheet with information on the various NDP segments.
He told ST he was unaware of any other YouTuber compiling anything similar, though some may include the timings of the events in their own NDP rehearsal videos.
“I have come to realise that there are many viewers online who enjoy the spectacle of the NDP, but are unable to watch it in person, which is why I’d like to share my adventures with them,” he added.
Mr Teng has compiled a spreadsheet of the timings, locations and vantage points of elements, including the fireworks that can be seen at various locations.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TENG CHIA PING
Mr Teng said he decided to start making videos during the Covid-19 pandemic after he watched “walking ASMR” videos on YouTube.
ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, is usually described as a pleasant tingling sensation, and is usually accompanied by a sense of calm and relaxation.
Seeing how people were creating this type of videos on social media platforms, Mr Teng, who studied economics and finance, bought a high-resolution camera and followed suit.
He started exploring cultural events such as Ramadan, Thaipusam and Vesak Day, and he discovered a different side to Singapore that he did not know.
“It was an eye-opening experience as I was able to explore Singapore like a tourist,” he said.
“Breaking fast with Muslims in the mosques during Ramadan and walking beside the kavadi bearers – who carry milk offerings via wooden or metal structures – during Thaipusam were some of the memorable moments I’ve had since I started this hobby.”
The NDP, though, is a bigger challenge than the cultural events that he has filmed, he added.
“My favourite event is the NDP because it is challenging to shoot and figure out the timing and locations of all the points of interest as there are many elements of the parade happening at the same time. It cannot be filmed in a single day,” said Mr Teng.
He said he would sometimes bump into other amateur film-makers at the rehearsals, some of whom he now counts as his friends.
Mr Teng added that he has recently learnt to enjoy the moment.
“When that happens, I look away from my camera and mentally absorb a few moments of the event that is right in front of my eyes,” he said.
After balloting unsuccessfully for a ticket to the Bay Celebration at The Promontory, Mr Teng will be back in the City Hall area this weekend to cover aspects of the parade rehearsals that he missed in previous weeks.
His favourite moment of the NDP?
“The colourful fireworks segment because of the magical atmosphere it creates,” he said, adding that the crowd also plays a part in enhancing the romantic ambience.
“I just need to make sure that my camera focus is set correctly before I sit back and enjoy the fireworks.”
