Serving, Celebrating, Belonging
SG60 Day Marking 19 Years of Inclusion
On the evening of 2 August 2025, our community gathered at Gardens by the Bay with a simple intention to clean a park. What unfolded became a long, meaningful day that reminded us why shared moments of care, celebration, and togetherness matter.
We came to clean a park, but we also planted hope, nurtured unity, and taught our children the quiet power of caring. In honoring 60 years of Singapore and celebrating 19 years of Espesyal Pinoy, we were not just marking milestones. We chose to turn our anniversary into action, shaping a future that includes everyone.
Families, volunteers, and children, including our kids with disabilities, worked side by side as equals. Armed with gloves, tongs, and big hearts, they learned that caring for the environment is not about perfection, but about participation. Every piece of litter picked up became a lesson in responsibility, teamwork, and respect for shared spaces.
To support the activity, we distributed canvas goodie bags filled with cleaning and care essentials. Thoughtfully prepared and accessible for all, these bags allowed every child to take part meaningfully. For children with disabilities, moments like these are especially important. They build confidence, encourage independence, and affirm that they are capable contributors to the community, not just recipients of support.
After the park cleanup, our long day continued as we made our way to Marina Barrage. There, we slowed down, relaxed, and gathered for a picnic, sharing Filipino food and stories as the evening breeze set the tone for rest and connection. It was a simple yet comforting moment of togetherness after a purposeful start to the day.
As the sky darkened, we became part of the SG60 pre National Day atmosphere. We watched metal birds soar and perform aerial exhibitions above us, drawing cheers and quiet awe from the crowd. In that moment, surrounded by families, children, and fellow Singaporeans, we felt a shared sense of pride and gratitude. It was a reminder that patriotism can be felt not just in grand ceremonies, but in small moments of collective wonder.
The children also took part in an outdoor painting activity, creating artworks inspired by Singapore. Through colors and imagination, they expressed their connection to the country they call home. For many of our kids, this was another powerful form of participation, a way to feel seen, included, and proud.
As night fell deeper, the celebration reached its peak with fireworks lighting up the sky. Standing among the crowd, tired yet fulfilled, we took it all in. The laughter, the lights, the shared silence between bursts of color. It was a beautiful ending to a very long, very meaningful day.
This day reflected why Espesyal Pinoy has continued for 19 years. Inclusion is lived through everyday actions, through shared work, shared meals, shared celebrations. Teaching our children to care for the environment is also teaching them to care for one another and for the future they will inherit.
We came home exhausted, but with full hearts. What we cleaned was not just a park. We strengthened bonds, celebrated our anniversary with purpose, honored SG60 with sincerity, and created memories that will stay with our families for a long time to come.