Dated: 2 August 2002
To commemorate Singapore's 37th National Day, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has funded $600,000 for a series of National Day specials, which showcase the people, history and icons of Singapore, over a range of television channels.
Among these specials, two programmes pay tribute to past and present Singaporeans.
An eight-part series, 'Yesterday and Today' featuring Singaporeans who have excelled in areas such as the performing arts and entertainment, will make its debut on Channel 5 from 15 August to 3 October, every Thursday at 7pm.
Another series, 'Footprints of A Nation' will take viewers on a journey of our history, tracing the nation's evolution through the eyes of Singaporeans from different generations. Against the backdrop of Singapore's development, each episode of this five-parter will focus on a different generation and their stories -- from the country's pioneers and leaders in various sectors of industry to entrepreneurs and Singapore's youth. The programme will telecast on Channel NewsAsia everyday from 5 to 9 August at 8.30pm, culminating in a special on National Day.
SBA has also commissioned a Malay variety programme, 'Singapura Ku', which recounts the history of Singapore through song and dance, depicting the changes that have shaped Singapore through the years as well as its development into a cohesive multicultural society. Produced by independent production company, MYI International, 'Singapura Ku' will be shown on Suria, 8 August at 8.45pm.
Another programme commissioned by SBA as a run-up to National Day is 'Itsy Bitsy Singapore', a 13-part Chinese info-educational series which looks at the top 50 icons that hold special significance for Singaporeans. The series is currently shown on Channel U, every Wednesday at 8.30pm. The last episode is on 2 October.
For the first time, SBA is funding a programme on the making of the National Day Parade, 'Singapore in My Heart', to give viewers a preview of the event. The making of the Parade on Channel 5, first telecast on 26 July, and to be repeated on National Day at 5pm. The Mandarin version will be shown on Channel 8, 3 August at 7.30pm and repeated on 8 Aug at 1.30pm.
The National Day Parade rehearsals will also be featured in two special episodes of 'Under My Sun', an English children's info-educational programme on Kids Central. Besides the rehearsals, the episode on 3 Aug will explain the symbolic significance of the Singapore flag as well as look at the changing of guards at the Istana. The highlights of the National Day Parade will be shown on the episode on 10 Aug.
.webp)