Simply enter the code ED2010 when you order online at www.franciscaonline.com, your order will arrive in a beautiful giftbox. Valid till May 30th only, while stocks last.

Filed under: Colleen Francisca's Notes by admin
Comments Off

Come and join us at this summer shopping affair!

FREE ADMISSION to this Expat Shopping Event

SMS to 83194507 for your VIP tickets to the FASHION SHOW

Filed under: Colleen Francisca's Notes by admin
No Comments »

http://www.plushasia.com/media_photo/8116

Colleen Francisca in Aria Pink and Ms Felomina Devaraj Rulloda, Managing Director, Bobby’s

The stars came out in style at Bobby’s Taproom.Grill.Ribs at Chjimes for a star-studded event as part of Bobby’s championing the “Stand Up To Breast Cancer 2010″ campaign – a fundraising and awareness campaign in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation Singapore (BCF).

Guests dressed to the “Gorgeous In Pink” theme and a plethora of Singapore and international celebrities did all in their means to ensure that funds were raised for the good cause.

Hosts and auctioneers for the evening were Alan Wilkins, ESPN Star Sports Commentator/Presenter and Linda Black, a professional model, emcee and HBO host.

The pink fashioned themed event saw a glamorous catwalk show organised by Bobby’s and directed by Runway Concepts featuring outfits from Glitterati and Stylemart.

Taking to the catwalk were Colleen Francisca – Mrs Singapore World 2008, Irene Chui Mei Chun – a breast cancer survivor herself, Felomina Devaraj Rulloda – Managing Director of Bobby’s and a host of international models.

The charity auction raised over $18,700 in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Items auctioned included a Roger Federer autographed tennis racket (sponsored by ex-tennis ace Vijay Amritraj), the painting “Happy Moments II” by Kuen Stefanie, “Little Samsui Women” sculptures by Lim Leong Seng, a beauty hamper and watches by Jonathan Holland & Associates, Mumms Magnum Champagne by Pernod Richard and a signed national cricket shirt from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s Cricket Captain and the ICC ODI Player of the Year for 2008 and 2009.

There was also entertainment in the evening including performances by the 2006 Singapore Idol Hady Mirza and dancers from the Tango Lyrical Theatre.

This “Gorgeous in Pink” event is part of a nine and a half months fundraising campaign that runs until the end of October, which is official breast cancer awareness month.

Felomina Devaraj Rulloda, Managing Director of Bobby’s, said, “Throughout this important initiative, Bobby’s will pledge 50 cents of every receipt issued at its Chijmes outlet to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

“The $18,700 we raised in [this] auction is fabulous, but we still have much more to give to this cause that is so important to women in Singapore”.

Other organisations such as the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations, Women’s Initiative For Aging Successfully and Chinese Women’s Association have also combined to create awareness and education about breast cancer.

The campaign aims to encourage more women to go for mammograms and to raise funds to assist the Breast Cancer Foundation in its ongoing efforts.

It also aims to create media and public support for the foundation, a non-profit organisation that encourages early detection and provides moral support for breast cancer sufferers and their families.

This includes connecting them with breast cancer survivors and experts to help them cope while undergoing treatment.

Filed under: Colleen Francisca's Notes by admin
Comments Off

I have great pleasure in announcing that FRANCISCA will be carrying Alexandria by Lexi T.

Lexi is a world wide traveller and gathers inspiration from the countries, cultures and people she meets on her travels. Lexi’s collection is sourced from many places around the world, lending to a wide range of styles and designs. Lexi T currently resides in the U.S with her husband and daughter.

FRANCISCA is delighted to stock her collection in our showroom, please drop us a line at info@franciscaonline.com to arrange an appointment to view her collection.

Filed under: Colleen Francisca's Notes by admin
No Comments »

Filed under: Pilar Arlando's Miss World Travels by admin
No Comments »

Filed under: Pilar Arlando's Miss World Travels by admin
No Comments »

The Miss World contest is finally over. We are finally FREE! No chaperones and security to hound us! It’s somewhat a relief for ALL OF US! We got to do some partying yesterday after the whole event and they told us the ACTUAL TOP 5 for Miss World.

Miss World is Miss Gibraltar. 1^st Runner up, Miss Mexico, 2^nd Runner Up, Miss South Africa, 4^th Place, Miss France and 5^thPlace, Miss Canada. I thought that Miss Mexico honestly deserved to win, well most of us thought so at least. Am I right? I felt that the semi finalists this year were based on countries that qualified for the FIFA WORLD CUP 2010.

I’m currently in Abu Dhabi, we just checked in at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, it’s few minutes to 5.00am and we have to report at 10.00am! HA-HA! No, no I did not pull an all nighters; we just only arrived at the hotel about half past 4! Can you imagine? It’s been so crazy. I’m definitely going to have some major jet lag when I return home. I definitely enjoyed the flight here to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways. It’s probably the most fun I had on a flight. I got to mingle with the air hostess at the back of the plane and we were just “partying” , talking and enjoying ourselves. It was really fun, it beats being cramped up in the chairs and sitting there like a lemon, waiting for time to pass by! But then more people had to just start coming and it made the back of the plane to crowded and it got a little too rowdy, so the pilot had to put on the seat belt sign and tell us to return to our seats because of “bad weather” coming again so we might experience some bad turbulence! Ha-ha. Nice way of getting us to sit down!

Later on, I fly off to London to stay for 2 days and then transit in Bangkok and then home sweet home to where people actually love and treasure me! Anyways, I know for sure I’m definitely going to miss Erica though, she’s Miss Sweden. She’s probably the only person whom I feel I could really relate with apart from Miss Sri Lanka, Miss New Zealand, Miss Norway, Miss Nepal, Miss Thailand and Miss Vietnam whom I was close with but I felt out of the bunch I could relate more to her. We’ve roomed together today! And we just ordered room service to have an early breakfast, head to bed and then wake up to leave for the airport. We just thought it’d be a wiser choice to order breakfast now and sleep through rather than wake up in between to have breakfast or skip it. I’m definitely going to miss her! She’s just hilarious and constantly makes me laugh! We’ve got a horror show now on! It’s just so lovely to be in her company.

Anyways, I can’t wait to fly to London! I just love that place. It holds some fond memories for me. I heard that it’s 4 degrees there now! Whoopeedooo! Definitely looking forward to that! Finally some cold weather! HA-HA! Miss Sri Lanka finds me crazy because she told me during this trip she’s got proof to why she’s concluded to that! She says that I’m crazy because I love cold weathers and because I love a bumpy landing from aeroplanes and most especially when there’s bad turbulence during the flight and when people are so worried and almost in tears and I’m there just enjoying it! Ha-ha. NO! I am NOT weird. I simply enjoy the adrenaline! Let’s just say during some of the flights we’ve had during our journey we’ve had some pretty bad turbulence and some girls were extremely afraid and almost in tears and I was just there laughing away! I know, I know, the image might make me sound bonkers and sadistic but I’m not! Ha-ha! Anyways, our food has just arrived! Update you guys soon!

Enjoy the photos and some never before seen photos/ “unofficial” photos during our slumber party for Miss Sri Lanka’s Birthday!

Buckets of Love,

Pilar Arlando

Miss World 2008 and me in my FRANCISCA Aphelendra dress

Filed under: Pilar Arlando's Miss World Travels by admin
No Comments »

Oh boy, can I just say how quick time has past, it seemed like yesterday I was in London and now it’s just 3 days down to the finals. WOW! What a whirlwind journey it has definitely been for me. I can firmly say how much I’ve grown as an indivual through this whole journey and that it’s opened my eyes to the “real world”. Time really does fly! I really do apologise for not updating during the past week or so, it’s just been so hectic most espcially during this week, the 5th week. I can literally feell my body and mind wearing out on me. I am just so exhausted by the time I get back and I just look forward to sleeping!

I’m definitely going to miss the girls here especially, Miss Sweden, Miss Vietnam, Miss Thailand, Miss Nepal, Miss Sri Lanka, Miss Norway and Miss New Zealand! We’re all pretty tight and we always sit together during lunch or dinner. Definitely am going to miss Miss Sweden alot though! It’s funny how both of us can click so well and we both just “go crazy” and how we can entertain each other. I am so sure I’m going to Sweden next year, MARK MY WORDS! Ha-ha. Okay, lets give Miss Sweden a name shall we? Ha-ha, well her name’s Erica. She’s a lovely, humourous girl. She constantly makes me laugh and I truly enjoy her company!

We just got back from rehearsals. We finally got to see how the stage was like because they JUST ONLY GOT IT FIXED UP? Can you imagine? And I would have thought they would have got it up a week in advance. Well anyways, Pre-judging was today as well, it went alright I guess, it was weird because I was expecting to get asked questions and not me just striking a conversation and going on talking about myself etc? It was strange to me. So I have to be honest and say that it was not really that ideal for me.

Lets see, what else have I been doing or have done during the past week or so. Hmm, well I’ve travelled to Limpopo where we stayed at a Safari Game Reserve which was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC because I got to do a safari trip, literally walk up to a cheetah and touch it, play golf (which has always been one of the sports I’ve always wanted to try and finally had the chance to!) After Limpopo we travelled to Sun City which was kind of a waste of time because we kind of a stayed over. We were actually meant to do filming but I really did not know what happened to that! They got us up sooooo early so we could arrive by noon to have lunch and settle into our rooms but it seemed like rooms were not ready and we had a waiting room to sit in till about 5pm and then we were rushed to have dinner and after dinner we slept and woke up at midnight to leave for our flight back to Jo’burg! YOU CAN IMAGINE THE TORTURE THERE! It was horrible.

After we arrived back in Jo’burg 2 days later, we left for Cape Town which is one of the best highlights for me!!! Mainly because I loved the hotel! Gosh I shouldn’t be even calling it a hotel or a resort, it just felt like a really cool neighbourhood. The backyard we had was HUGE! HUGE I TELL YOU! And it honestly reminded me of one of my Aunt’s home in England. It was just breathtaking. I felt so free to roam about, it was so spacious for me. I really felt so much freedom in Cape Town because we always have tight security and a bodyguard with us plus a chaperone and honestly it does get annoying sometimes because each time you want to go downstairs to the lobby or even if you need to use the restroom you need to ask permission if you could go, maybe the first 2 weeks you can handle it but after awhile, it truly gets irritating.

So being in Cape Town since the “hotel” was huge and we were basically apart from each other it was tough for chaperones or bodyguards to be around us, so I had my own freedom for 2 days to roam around, to have ROOM FOR MYSELF TO BREATHE! Waking up and being able to just walk out and smell the fresh morning air! It was splendid I tell you. I’m missing it right now as I’m sitting here cooped up in my hotel room and the only air I’m smelling well the air freshener that pumps out every few minutes or so, how sad! Ha-ha.

Anyways, it’s been really fun and amazing for me, I’m so excited to see my family this Friday which is in 2 days time!! WHOO! It’s going to be a really emotional meeting for me but at the same time, strange. Because I’ve been away from them for such a long time and seeing them after 5 weeks in Jo’burg  instead of Singapore is pretty weird for me!

3 days time and this journey comes to a close for me but the experiences I’ve gone through are ones that will be long lasting. Memories for me to keep that no one can ever take away from me. I am definitely coming back here to South Africa and I’ve already have some plans lined up after this Miss World journey ends for me.

My goal is to make a name for Singapore and to really get us noticed. I’m definitely going to work hard for that. I will truly be dedicated to that, I believe that even if I dont get through to the semi-finals on the 12th December it doesnt mean I cannot continue the legacy of being a true blue beauty queen. That will not stop me, I’m going to really use my Miss World, Singapore title well, to it’s full advantage; in a positive manner, of course. Really excited and looking forward for those plans I’ve been lining up! OH HOW I AM GOING TO REALLY MISS ALL THIS! Despite the complaining and the exhaustion I go through, it’s all worth it somehow, you know?

OH WAIT! After we arrived in Jo’burg from Cape Town we got to go to the Jo’burg Zoo to have a picnic party with the abandoned and underprivilliged children. I really really loved that. The kids are such angels, they just come up to you and ask if they could hug you. And when they flash their smiles at you, your heart  just melts.

I had my favourite ring on that day and there was a really young single mother with her babygirl who was a year old, she was so ecstatic to be able to meet me and I felt truly touched. Her baby girl was crying so I picked her up and I played with her for awhile and her child caught the attention of my ring and I took it off to give it to her to play with it. I saw how much her child was into it and I told her Mum, “Do you like it?” and her response was, “Yes! It’s so beautiful and I can see my daughter loves it too she doesnt want to let go of it” (Because when the Mum tried to take it back to pass it back to me her child started crying) So I said to her, “You know what, I would love if you could keep the ring, have it and enjoy it” And her Mother was close to tears she was so happy about it and before I left on the tram to head to our buses she reached out her hand to me as we were going to drive off and she said ” Thank you so much, I will never ever forget you” And that truly moved me and made me tear so much. I felt honestly touched and how much I’ve made an impact for her just by that simple gesture or action I did. It’s just amazing. One of my other highlights, definitely.

Well, tomorrow’s another day of full rehearsals on stage, I like it. I feel really comfortable on stage, it somewhat feels like home to me. So I’m certainly looking forward to that! (But just not the part about waking up so early! URGH!)

I best be off to bed now, I need some good sleep! Enjoy the photos!

Buckets of Love,
Pilar Arlando

Filed under: Pilar Arlando's Miss World Travels by admin
No Comments »

Can I just say how amazing Durban was? Staying at the Zimbali Lodge was probably one of the best hotels. It was all so relaxing somehow; amongst nature, overlooking the majestic Indian Ocean. The staff was amazing, so warm welcoming and really helpful. They offered us really great service. We stayed in little lodges where we had personal drivers to drive us to our lodges to and fro, it was pretty cool! If you have stayed at the Beaufort Hotel Villa Resort in Sentosa, then you’ll know what I mean, the concept is somewhat the same! Just that our lodge had nature, literally coming in, insects etc.

The worst encounter for me was the day we departed (today) for Jo’burg, just as I moved the chair to grab my handphone charger, a humongous spider emerged out of nowhere. I was seriously close to a heart attack. I HATE HATE HATE SPIDERS, that I can safely say! URGHH! They give me the shivers! What’s funny is, I took a picture of it, just before I left. My roomie was just laughing at me as I was squealing away. As I’m typing this entry now, I’m feeling the shivers as well, UGGHH!! GOSH!!!

We had a pretty long journey back, it felt like forever. I still don’t understand why we couldn’t have flown to Durban? We had an 8 hour coach ride all the way back. Honestly, it felt like days and I felt like I have slept forever! However when I looked at the time it seemed that only hours had passed by.

Ha-ha! Durban was really spectacular! We had our Beach Beauty Fast Track Event held there, Miss Gibraltar won. I liked how their top 5 choices were REALLY unexpected, it somewhat made me feel that there’s still hope for me. They have increased it to top 20 this year for the semi finals on the final night. Apparently, the standards this year are very high amongst all the contestants. What I’ve realised is, so many things have been unexpected and different as compared to other past Miss World contests; correct me if I’m wrong though. For instance, this year’s Talent Fast Track Event had 2 winners to go forward into the Semi-Finals. Instead of top 10 for Sports Fast Track, they had top 12 and for the latest Fast Track event which was the Beach Beauty they had top 12 as well instead of just top 10. And for the Beach Beauty this year, they only had top 20 on stage and the rest were just sitting as the audience. Last year was different where all contestants had a chance to come on stage. Seems like things are going different this year and it’s quite unexpected at times.

All we have to do is wait and see I guess. I’m just hoping for the best and enjoying every moment of it while I have this rare opportunity in my hands. I shall continue to give my best despite times where I feel degraded but I shall keep persevering on.

We got to meet and celebrate with the Secondary School girls of Inanda Seminary because this is their 140th year and they will be closing the school down once they school year comes to an end, how sad. But the girls were really lovely. As always, people here are truly warm welcoming, I love it, I love them!

We also did the official opening of the Durban Stadium where the Semi-Finals of the World Cup 2010 will be held. South Africa’s definitely the next hotspot and it seems like HUGE amazing events are happening for them! Hosting the Miss World contest for 2nd time in a row and next year the World Cup 2010? Huge achievement for the country! This weekend will be the Top Model Fast Track Event (I think it is a Fast Track?) Anyways, I’m still waiting for my chaperone to let me know the schedule for tomorrow.

I booked an appointment in the morning for a spa treatment; I sure hope we have time for it because according to my schedule it just mentions that our rehearsals are in the afternoon. But then again, things might change; like it always has unexpectedly here. He-he. But I just pray we don’t have to wake up so early again tomorrow. We had to be up by 3.00am today just to leave the hotel by 5.00am. Madness! But it was awesome because when we got back, we had time for ourselves and I managed to hit the gym, so that felt really really really good!

It’s about 9.23pm. I’m trying to get as much photos as I can uploaded onto FB, it just seems to take FOREVER here. I even have videos to upload but if my photos can’t be uploaded, I don’t even want to think about uploading a video! Gosh. It’s about Day 19/20 here? And on my FB photo album I only have Day 12 uploaded. I hope most of it gets uploaded tonight, please be kind to me internet? Ha-ha!

Well, looking forward to tomorrow, a brand new day, a fresh start! Till them I’m off! Better get busy with uploading the photos! Here are some random photos taken during the past days! OH! Wait! Did I mention? We managed to have a chill day by the pool!! So that was awesome too! I had so much fun! But I got a little burnt; the sun’s really strong here. I’m now tanned on my stomach and red on my arms and chest, how attractive. Thankfully, my face is still normal. It’s weird how the sunscreen worked on my face and stomach but not my chest and arms? Ha-ha, OH WELL! It doesn’t hurt that bad, just a slight smarting feeling. Other than that, I WILL SURVIVE!

Buckets of Love,

Pilar Arlando

Me wearing FRANCISCA's Aria Blue

Me in FRANCISCA's Aria Blue jumpsuit, posing with the students

Filed under: Pilar Arlando's Miss World Travels by admin
No Comments »

The past few days have been hectic but I have been really enjoying myself and treasuring every bit of it. So far I have met the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. It was an honour for me but at the same time interestingly weird? I have not met the President of my own country but I have met the President of South Africa! Ha-ha! Amazing isn’t it?

We also got to open a City Park for the kids in Soweto visited the Historic Museum during the hard struggles in the Soweto area and we got to visit the place where Nelson Mandela lived for awhile, to be exact, 11 days. It was the place he resided at after he was freed from jail. The most magical moment for me for that day was seeing the sparkle in the kids eyes and seeing how happy they were, it simply warmed my heart. The people of South Africa, are truly warm welcoming, that I can firmly agree! I love it here. I got to take official pictures with the little kids who were aged between 1 to 3. There was a mother and she asked me to take a photo with her son and she got the official photographer to take a shot for us. It was so nice. She then asked me to sign on her son’s T-shirt. Then there were these two other kids that came up to me and they asked me if there was anything I could give them that they could remember me by, I was honestly touched I almost teared, I felt so sad because I realised I could have given them my bracelets but because it was freezing cold and I had my coat on I totally forgot I had them on. Of course, I didn’t say no to them, I told them I can give u a signature of mine and a huge hug if that was okay with them and they were excited about that too. I felt so happy that day being able to bring smiles to the little ones.

Apart from the official opening, we also planted some trees for them. It was an amazing day. The following day was the Talent Finals show. This year apparently, the standards are really high so they have increased it to top 20 for the finals night and not top 15.

We also had two winners for the Talent Finals, which were Sierra Leone and Canada. I truly believe Canada honestly deserved it. She gave an opera number which was fantastic. Her voice was so angelic. Her performance was magnificent and it brought me to tears. I will upload the video soon on my Facebook Account, so please do look out for her. She is AMAZING. A truly deserving winner!

Following the Talent Finals, we watched the most anticpated and renowned musical in South Africa which was the Omoja Musical. I simply loved it so much. Their performance was so energetic, I was so captivated by their performance! The crowd gave a standing ovation and we wanted an encore. Oh boy were they awesome. How I wish all of you (readers) were able to watch their musical, if you enjoy experiencing various cultures, you would really love this musical!

The next day was the Beach Beauty Pre-Judging; I did not get into the top 20 but it’s alright, I still will keep preserving on because I know God has plan for me. I will continue to have faith and leave the rest into his hands. It does get tough to motivate myself but I know I have to because there is still hope, there ALWAYS IS because NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

There are speculations about whether the winner of Beach Beauty this year will be the winner of Miss World 2009 because that’s how it happened last year but then again, things change, we will never know. No one knows the future, right? We arrived in Durban this evening; we had a pretty long journey by coach. Most of the girls were restless and hated it but I’m used to it because my family used to drive up to Penang each time and the ride was about 10-11 hours long. Our journey was about 8 hours? I got up at 3am to prepare because we had to report by 4am and the funny thing is? We only left the hotel at 7am. (Yes I know right?!) Oh well! Life’s like that hey?

The journey was worth the wait though, I totally love my hotel or lodge? We literally have a view of nature and an overlook of the Indian Ocean. It’s simply beautiful and breathtaking. We have drivers to pick us up and drive us to the main hotel lobby because it’s little lodges where we stay at. The room I have is really cosy and as always, I took pictures of it! I mean, I have been taking pictures of practically everything because I know that this opportunity will never come by again and a picture says a thousand words and lasts a lifetime! Tomorrow we have a beach shoot and filming, reporting time? 6.45am! Another early start. It’s now 10.14pm, I best be off to bed now, I need to be up by 5am tomorrow! I shall keep all of you updated! CHEERS!

Buckets of Love,

Pilar Arlando

Me in FRANCISCA Aria Pink Jumpsuit

Me in FRANCISCA toga dress

FRANCISCA handbag holder

Filed under: Pilar Arlando's Miss World Travels by admin
No Comments »