Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang
is invited by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture
to make up its Merdeka Day Parade contingent
Mr Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Director,
Ministry of Tourism and Culture,
Penang, with the Babas and Nyonyas
How's this?
Testing and trying out the various
traditional headwear of Malaysia
The Big Guns of Penang Tourism
are out in full force as well -
MATTA, MAH Presidents
and Hotel General Managers
Cheeena ah pek and Nyonya
My Sarawak warrior friend is all
equipped for his role . . . tattooed,
fancy headers, animal skin . . .
notice the rolled up bicycle shorts
sneaking a handphone in the parade . . .
Warrior yang gagah dan bermuscle. Mesti!
Overseeing a tattoo session
Err . . . quick and painless
alternative for non-head hunters.
All dolled and rolled up in
Merdeka spirit!
Twenty years down, these beauties
will surely remember this Merdeka
Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang
We reported for duty at 6.15 am. After a breakfast of nasi lemak (courtesy of the generous Mr. Vergis), during which there was a thunderstorm and it poured, the skies cleared for Malaysia Baru's celebration of Merdeka. We walked down an alley, and there is a uniformed group lining both sides of the road, cheering us on. We imagined we were walking past specially mounted guard of honour
meant just for us . . . until we found out they were the uniformed Prison Guards! We burst out laughing at ourselves! So much for specially mounted VIP guards for us!
Everyone kept themselves amused and occupied with a selfie, wefie, groupfie while waiting for the Independence Day Parade to start.
It's quite exhilarating to see the flags
in the morning sun, and when the wind
blows, they all dance in celebration!
After finding our station, we fell into formation. We waited an hour standing around in the brilliant (and hot) morning sun, so these nyoyas found some distraction during the long wait . . .
Especially these ones with painted faces.
Suffice to say, their commander did not
seem too pleased with our antics
Kasot Manik Boleh!
Marching in the Merdeka Parade
in nicely beaded Nyonya slippers.
Yays!
After a 3 hour wait, the Parade is moving!
A final picture on the way to the starting line
And here we go!
Ministry of Tourism and Culture contingent with the Babas and Nyonyas in the formation. It was a proud moment to see our Yang di Pertua Negeri, Chief Minister and the Penang State Excos at the Stand, taking our salute. And an excited Chong Eng jumping up and down and waving from the sides.
What a wonderful, special, meaningful Merdeka for the rakyat of Malaysia! This year.
We are not quite done playing with the flags
Oh Yeah!
End of Parade! Photo lagi!
We get to keep the MOTAC
scarf as souvenir
Why not adapt the
scarfs for make-believe play
This gets one's car through the police
blockades.
