Chingay – Industry Collaboration with People’s Association Soft News/Feature Article

 

Industry Related

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An article written for People’s Association regarding the Japanese Association’s, Singapore (JAS) participation in Chingay.

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Chingay's rising sun for 13 years

Members of the Japanese Association, Singapore (JAS) gathered again this year to prepare for their 13th performance in Chingay.

 

By: Rusyda Aris

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The Japanese Association, Singapore (JAS) members streamed into the rehearsal room in their bright and colourful Chingay costumes, ready to begin another round of rehearsals. The room was abuzz with chatters from the older members and laughter from the younger ones.

 

2015 is the year which marks JAS’s 13th year of participation in the annual Chingay parade happening at the F1 pit. 550 participants, both young and old have come together to prepare for another spectacular performance, featuring a Japanese themed float and dance item.

 

Aiming to become an international cultural exchange platform, JAS’s long-time involvement with Chingay has indeed provided numerous opportunities for cultural interactions with other performing teams throughout their 13 years of participation.

 

Despite over a decade of Chingay involvement, this year’s participants are mostly first-timers. With over 500 participants this year, sectional practices were conducted for the very first time as Chingay preparations turned serious with the hope of bagging another award under their name.

 

After ending another round of rehearsals, participants began coming out of the room to go for their break. Parents began tending to their young children while some of the older participants made their way to the washroom.

Over at one corner with sofas and a small coffee table, a small group of young girls sat closely together. They all looked to be about the same age and were chatting with one another while waiting to get called back into the room for rehearsals once more.

 

One of them is Mia, 12, a first-time participant. She is performing with her friends from The Japanese School, Singapore. With school on weekdays and rehearsals on Saturdays, the girls are only left with Sundays to unwind.

 

Despite the tight schedules, they find practices fun as they have one another. To encourage themselves for the upcoming Chingay performance, the girls smiled widely at one another and shouted “Ganbarou Ne!” which means, to work hard. Not long after their small cheer, as expected, rehearsals continued and participants began streaming back into the room to perfect their moves for the Chingay parade.

 

Founded in 1915 and re-established in 1957, JAS has been an annual Chingay participant since 2003, making this year their 13th time participating. They have won various awards ranging from Best Audience Engagement in 2009 and 2011, to Outstanding Contingent Display in 2012. Their increasing efforts throughout the years has finally earned them the biggest award in last year’s Chingay, as they were finally crowned the ‘Chingay Champion of the Year’.

 

Being given that title has lifted their expectations of winning another award this year, especially with the association’s 100th anniversary and 13th year of Chingay participation in mind. However, with expectation comes pressure as well.

 

Later that evening, Mr Tadashi Nakamura, 46, JAS’s contingent leader, was present at the full dress rehearsal to oversee JAS’s performances. He appeared very busy as he went from one group to another, making sure that everything was going according to plan. Despite this being his first time as a contingent leader for the Chingay parade, he was all smiles when spoken to.

 

“I’m very excited. I enjoyed the Chingay parade last year. This time, I became the leader, so I’m very honoured but a little worried,” said Mr Nakamura.

 

When asked whether JAS was aiming for another award this year, the first-time contingent leader nodded eagerly, with a grin on his face.

 

“Of course, of course. It’s very hard, but I want to get the champion award,” he said, before walking over to another group of participants to chat with.

 

As the sky darkened, the F1 pit began brightening up with an assortment of colours from the various participants’ costumes and bright lights from the Chingay floats. Despite the evening getting later, the participants’ energy only seemed to increase as they anticipate the start of the full-dressed rehearsal.