Purple is doubly important to HTX. It’s one of HTX’s colours, while also being the colour of inclusion at the annual Purple Parade.
Xponents donned the colour as they took to the streets at the Purple Parade 2025 on 25 October, standing in unity with Singapore’s largest ground-up movement “for Persons with Disabilities to be fully included, valued and celebrated in our country”.
It was familiar ground for many of them as it was HTX’s fourth year participating.
What started out as a simple team effort by Xponents from the Building and Infrastructure (B&I) division to support a social cause has since blossomed into an annual rite of passage.
“Over the years, our contingent got bigger and bigger. We’re proud to have members of the Women of HTX club and other divisions come along this time,” said Director, B&I Chan Ai Lynne.
We just want to give back to society in whatever ways we can, even if it’s something small like showing up for this event.
That’s how a 50-strong HTX contingent, decked in varying shades of purple, gathered on a Saturday against a backdrop of live performances and carnival booths, to march with solidarity with some 30 other organisations around the Suntec City area.
But it was about more than a shared colour. It was about a shared vision for Singapore.
As HTX works towards exponentially impacting Singapore’s safety and security, it is driven to build effective science and technology solutions which serve every single member of society.
Innovation and inclusion? They go hand-in-hand.
This year, HTX’s organisers decided to put together a little something special for the Xponents participating. Balloon hats, but make them HTX!
A group of volunteers from the B&I division and Women in HTX club convened at HTX’s headquarters the day before the parade, to sculpt hats and handheld balloons.
B&I Senior Specialist and lead organiser James Goh said he was touched by the collective effort from colleagues who took time off busy schedules to help with crafting.
“The hats were so much more than just fun props – they were an exuberant expression of HTX’s identity,” he declared.
The volunteers had their work cut out for them.
While the idea was simple, the execution was anything but. It took tremendous teamwork to piece everything together with care.
And every now and then, the sudden pop of a balloon would jolt the room – and a few hearts!
But despite the painstaking process, Xponents found joy in the time they spent with one another, jointly working towards a purpose larger than themselves.
Eight hours and several balloon sculptures later, the team was all prepped for the parade!
An arduous effort, but all for a meaningful cause.
On parade day, Xponents were thrilled to receive their intricately made hats, and proudly put them on for the walk.
These Xponents from the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Centre of Expertise (CBRNE CoE) were certainly delighted with their new accessories.
But the cutest hat model of the day? That had to be the five-month-old daughter of B&I Senior Specialist Ianson Woon.
Yes, some Xponents brought their family along to join the celebration!
This included Deputy Director, Software Engineering, AI Product, xDigital, Enterprise Group Vincent Goh (right).
Having his family join him was especially significant, because the soul of the Purple Parade hits close to home.
In 2024, Vincent unexpectedly developed partial hearing loss and has since been adjusting to life with the disability.
Having lost my hearing in the past year, I have come to realise that true inclusion means ensuring both society and technology work for everyone, so no one is left behind.
As flag-off time neared, final touches were made to the balloons to ensure they were ready for action.
Director B&I Chan Ai Lynne also gave a quick speech to thank everyone for their participation.
And no one would’ve guessed – it was actually her birthday.
“It might be my birthday, but the Purple Parade is a meaningful event, and I couldn’t miss coming down to show my support together with fellow Xponents,” she said.
But get this, she wasn’t the only birthday girl in the house. This was also how Director, xCode Annie Sng (left) was spending her special day!
The ladies of the day were surprised with flowers and one-of-a-kind cupcakes.
Why were the cupcakes so unique? Because they were baked by HTX’s very own avid baker, Deputy Director, B&I Michael Vong (centre)!
He made sure to whip up enough sweet treats to go around.
There may have been 15,000 people in the sea of purple, but the stylish crowns of the Xponents sure made them hard to miss!
Same could be said for Assistant Chief Executive (ACE) (Science) and Director, Forensics CoE Lim Chin Chin, who was spotted in the front row of the HTX contingent.
And finally, it was go-time. Off the contingent marched, with purpose and with pride!
HTX’s women leaders were seen leading the pack.
Crossing the finish line with a wide smile was xData engineer Natasha Koh (left), who enjoyed the walk alongside colleagues from the CBRNE CoE.
Having fallen sick and missed the last parade, I'm thrilled to finally experience it for the first time with these folks. There's something special about coming together as a team to support this meaningful celebration of inclusion.
These Xponents were not shy about showing their support for citizens with disabilities.
After all, empathy is one of HTX’s core values, and Xponents make it a point to appreciate and care for one another without any judgement.
