At around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, under the leadership of Mr. Fan Ziping, the Singapore Zhongyuan Association held a “Celebration of Singapore’s 61st National Day” at the community plaza in the Marine Parade–Bladeridge Group Representation Constituency (MacPherson), joining hands with community residents to celebrate National Day and strengthen neighborhood bonds. The event was filled with a strong festive atmosphere. Residents, bringing along the elderly and children, gathered early at the plaza with anticipation written all over their faces. Numerous volunteer leaders and board members were also in attendance, working alongside residents to set up the venue and welcome guests; everywhere one looked, there were busy yet warm figures at work. On that day, Ms. Chen Peiling, Member of Parliament for the Marine Parade–Bladeridge Group Representation Constituency (McBaren), took time out of her busy schedule to attend the event in person and share in the festive joy with the “Uncles” and “Aunties” in attendance, as well as the volunteers from the Zhongyuan Association.
“The Future Is Limitless, Onward, Singapore!” (Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!)—This is the theme of this year’s National Day celebrations, paying tribute to the Singaporean spirit and calling on everyone to move forward together, dare to surpass themselves, and embrace the future. This spirit of “Moving Forward Together” perfectly captures the essence of that day’s celebrations: from the lawmakers’ visits to the volunteers and residents celebrating side by side, every detail embodied the beautiful vision of neighbors coming together in unity and sharing a sense of camaraderie. As a young social organization, the Singapore Zhongyuan Association has always been committed to walking alongside Singapore. Upholding our founding principle of “taking from society and giving back to society,” we do our utmost to serve the community. This community celebration is a concrete manifestation of that commitment and yet another testament to the Association’s deep roots in the Lion City and its growth alongside the community.
Laughter and Joy as We Celebrate the Holiday Together
The event kicked off with a warm-up performance by Qiu Shengyang (known as “Master Qiu”), a host from Channel 98.5. His self-introduction and song performance quickly livened up the initially somewhat reserved crowd; residents stopped to listen and softly hummed along to the familiar melodies, setting a joyful tone for the entire celebration. Amid the cheerful music, the atmosphere continued to heat up, setting the stage for a warm reception for the council members’ upcoming visit.
Lawmakers Visit, Showing Their Commitment to the Community
The arrival of Ms. Chen Peiling, Member of Parliament for the Marine Parade–Bradley Heights Group Representation Constituency (MacPherson), brought the event to its first climax. Having been deeply rooted in the community for many years, she has consistently upheld her original commitment to serving residents and has actively promoted elder care, youth development, the well-being of women and children, and the development of a digital society, earning the deep trust and support of the residents. Upon her arrival, she took the stage to deliver a speech amid enthusiastic applause from residents and volunteers, extending festive greetings to everyone. Mr. Wang Jiancheng, Advisor to the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, also delivered remarks on behalf of the association, thanking MP Chen Peiling and all community stakeholders for their long-standing care and support for the association’s work.
Following the speeches, both sides exchanged commemorative gifts. The ceremony proceeded in two parts: First, Ms. Zhou Shuzhen, Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, presented a token of appreciation to Member of Parliament Chen Peiling on behalf of the Association; subsequently, MP Chen Peiling presented a gift to Ms. Ma Xiaoyun, Permanent Honorary President of the Association. The two sides exchanged gifts and posed for a group photo. This exchange was a heartwarming testament to the bonds between the community and the association. Before the councilwoman departed, everyone gathered for a precious group photo and sang “Majulah Singapura (Forward, Singapore)” in unison, bringing the National Day atmosphere to a climax.
One great show after another, with surprises around every corner
After the lawmakers left, the festivities did not lose steam; on the contrary, they entered the liveliest part of the entire afternoon. The lucky draw spanned the event in two rounds: In the first round, the fifth and fourth prizes were announced first, with Mr. Jia Weibin and Mr. Qian Jingyuan, Honorary Vice Presidents of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, taking the stage one after another to draw the winners for the residents; After a brief interlude of festivities, the second round of the raffle once again pushed the atmosphere to a new high. Ms. Chen Liyuan, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, drew the third-prize winners one by one, followed by Mr. Zhang Bo, Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, who drew the second-prize winners. Finally, Mr. Han Xiao, Permanent Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association, announced the most thrilling prize of the evening: the first prize. From the Fifth Prize to the First Prize, several presidents of the Zhongyuan Association took turns on stage, with cheers and countdowns echoing throughout the venue, filling every resident with anticipation.
Between the two prize drawings, two unique performances also left a lasting impression: Stellaris Robot made its first appearance in the community, interacting closely with residents and showcasing a new experience of technology integrated into daily life; Meanwhile, two young children—Wang Bi and Wang Youxun, aged 10 and 11 respectively—performed a solid and moving suona duet featuring the pieces “The Voice of the Little People” and “Horse Racing.” Their youthful skill and focused expressions earned waves of applause from the audience and breathed new life into traditional folk music within the community.
Sharing Warmth, a Successful Conclusion
As the celebration drew to a close, residents and volunteers from the Zhongyuan Association gathered together to enjoy a sumptuous luncheon, extending the festive joy in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. During the meal, the volunteers presented each resident with a carefully prepared parting gift to express their gratitude for everyone’s ongoing support and companionship. From the warm-up performances in the early morning, to the visit by the Member of Parliament, the lucky draw, the talent show, and the heartwarming luncheon, the entire morning was filled with laughter and joy, bringing Singapore’s 61st National Day celebrations to a perfect close and ensuring that the warmth of “Neighbors as One Family” would continue to resonate throughout the community for a long time to come.
Community Partners, Moving Forward Together
It is worth noting that this celebration was graciously supported by our community partner, the Brahm Centre. The center not only provided the venue but also dispatched volunteers and staff to assist throughout the event, ensuring its smooth execution. Founded in 2012, the Brahm Centre is a registered charity in Singapore whose mission is to “promote happier and healthier lives.” It has long been dedicated to promoting mindfulness programs, mental health counseling, and community care services; Its McBoren Center, which has been in operation since 2018, is a vibrant senior center deeply loved by the community’s older adults and has provided residents with a rich variety of senior activities over the years. The Chung Yuan Association would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers and staff at the Brahm Centre and looks forward to continuing to work hand in hand in the future to build a warm and welcoming community.
Thank you to Ms. Chen Peiling, Member of Parliament for the Marine Parade–Bradley Ridge Group Representation Constituency (MacPherson), as well as all the “Uncles,” “Aunties,” and friends from the community for joining us today. We also extend our gratitude to all the staff and volunteers from the Zhongyuan Association for their hard work. Special thanks go to our community partner, the Brahm Centre, for providing the venue for this event and for sending volunteers and staff to lend their full support. May Singapore prosper and enjoy peace and stability, and I wish everyone a happy National Day!
Participants
Volunteer and Host of Channel 98.5, Qiu Shengyang
Wang Jiancheng, Volunteer and Advisor to the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Ma Xiaoyun, Volunteer and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Han Xiao, Volunteer and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Volunteer, Singapore Zhongyuan Association—Fan Ziping
Wang Xiaopei, Volunteer, Founding President and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Zhou Shuzhen, Volunteer and Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Zhang Bo, Volunteer and Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Li Yong, Volunteer and Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Chai Jie, Volunteer and Secretary-General of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Liang Guangbin, Volunteer, Honorary Vice President and Board Member of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Zhao Xiaodan, Volunteer, Honorary Vice President and Deputy Secretary-General of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Guo Lijun, Volunteer, Honorary Vice President and Deputy Secretary-General of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Hou Jian, Volunteer, Honorary Vice President and Board Member of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Zhang Lifeng, Volunteer and Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Chen Liyuan, Volunteer and Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Qian Jingyuan, Volunteer and Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Jia Weibin, Volunteer and Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association
——
Produced by | Singapore Centaline Association
Written by | Zhao Xiaodan, Guo Lijun, Hou Jingyu
Photography | Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.