For Singaporean Debbie Ong, the opportunity to attend the National Day Parade (NDP) in person for the first time was worth a 2,500km flight home from Hong Kong.The 50-year-old and her husband, Thomas Richoux, have been balloting for tickets every year since moving overseas 16 years ago.When they finally secured a pair for NDP 2026, they booked their flights back to Singapore «without a second thought».Back in Hong Kong, the couple would host National Day gatherings for Singaporean and non-Singaporean friends, serving local dishes such as popiah and curry chicken while watching the parade live on television.«We're really happy. Really, really happy. It's a nice feeling to be able to finally see it in person,» said Ong.The couple's long-awaited, first NDP experience mirrors a parade that will be marked by a host of firsts.Held at the National Stadium for the first time since 2016, this year's edition features a string of milestones, from the world's largest closed-roof indoor drone light show to the first participation of a contingent representing persons with diverse abilities.  Read more