‘Unity in Diversity’ the theme of this year’s Beacon International College Racial Harmony Day. On 18 July 2013, staff and students dressed in vibrant colours of ethnic costumes from different countries, celebrated Racial Harmony Day with grassroot leaders and residents from the Kampong Glam constituency. The occasion was graced by Mr Eric Low Siak Meng, Corporate Advisor of Beacon International College and Mr Chia Tek Yew, Chairman of Beacon International College; and sponsored by Ministry of Home Affairs –
SingaporeUnited and Kampong Glam Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle.This event introduced to our international students the different cultures and impressed upon them the importance of racial and religious harmony. To kick-start the event, everybody got up to welcome one another with a ‘Selamat Datang’ which means “WELCOME” in Malay.
Apart from having students from different countries and cultures, Beacon is also a place where international talents meet – a true reflection of Unity in Diversity.
It was an entertaining afternoon. We were treated to a display of ethnic food and cooking demonstrations by Beacon’s ‘MasterChefs’ and were thoroughly entertained with a time of songs and dances with a fashion parade thrown in by ‘International Stars’ — all presented by our very own Beacon Students. Students from our neighbouring country Malaysia demonstrated the fruit and vegetable salad dish ‘Rojak’.The Filipino students treated the audience to a big feast going the traditional way of eating mixed rice on
banana leaf using our hands known as ‘Kamayan’.
Nowadays the practice of ‘Kamayan’ is seen more often in less urbanized areas. After the big feast, our two pretty young Vietnamese students showed us how to whip up the refreshing Vietnamese Papaya Salad also known as ‘Goi Du Du’. Show-time started with a trip down memory lane with One Night in Beijing and then it broke out into the young and energetic Hip-Hop dance – all choreographed by our students from China. Next we saw a comedy skid about courtship in the old days in Sri Lanka. The highlight of the day was the Fashion Runway where more than twenty students showcasing ethnic costumes of different countries from China to America, Japan to France, and India to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and of course, Singapore. Our Indonesian and Indian students entertained us with a fusion of Indonesian and Indian dances. The upbeat and rhythmic music of Bollywood got everybody on their feet and dancing to the beat. Last but not least, our very own home grown talent of the sensational Korean pop star PSY got everyone young and old swinging into action – the Beacon Style!
The event ended the Singapore way – with food galore! We were treated to an array of local popular savouries and sweet-and-colourful nonya-kueh! With wonderful weather, delicious food and great entertainment, it was the perfect occasion for the forging of new friendships and strengthening of existing bonds – a great testimony of Unity in Diversity.
