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Lights will guide you home.

I generally dislike flying and I hate every waking moment on the plane, with the exception of a night time approach into Changi Airport. As the plane enters our regional air space, I always try to look out the window to see the darkness punctured by the lights of ships that dot our harbour and how the little punctures eventually amass into a brightly lit beacon; our little island. From above, Singapore quite literally stands out in the darkness.

Lights are a good indicator of development and our country has come far since the days of our grandparents where electricity was not always stable and when there weren't street lamps on every road. From lighting up out of necessity, we have progressed to a stage where we are lighting up for the sake of aesthetics. The new shopping malls that have sprung up recently all boast LED lights on their cladding. Even the new garden that is springing up at Marina Bay is supposed to feature intelligent LED lighting. We light up bridges, we lit up a durian, a giant wheel and even an IR construction site so that it can be ready on time. The result of all this lighting up is that our nighttime landscape is becoming brighter and brighter. But what does all this mean? There are lights that guide and there are lights that distract. Does all this lighting up mean that we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after what is or has been our nation's worst recession? Or are these lights distracting us with hope and optimism, causing us to turn a blind eye to the economic issues that do not seem to have been resolved?

I like the lighting and the honesty of this photo. I particularly like how two almost identical facades have been subtly personalized. They are the same but different. One does not need dazzling lights or fancy technology to have individuality or to be inviting. We Singaporeans are a unique bunch in our own way, from how we arrange our footwear to the way we hang bamboo blinds to keep out prying eyes. This year's National Day photo eschews the bright lights of downtown in favour of the warm familiar lights of our heartland. After all, this is where it all began. Our nation's birth lies behind the humble doors of these first generation HDB flats. The lights that guides us home.

So as we as a nation make our way out of this economic crisis, as we always manage to do, let us be guided by the right light. And as we continue to brighten our city, making it a beacon that attracts plenty from afar, we must not forget our beginnings and the people who have contributed so much to building our nation. In my books, foreign investment is worth as much as local toil even though they may vastly differ in monetary value. Just like how the humble light tube always appears warmer than cool LED lighting. Happy Birthday Singapore!