Wednesday, 5 August 2009

City News - 4 August 2009

Miss Singapore World Grand Finals At “Mystique III”

4 August 2009, 7:15 pm by Sharon Tan Shu Lin


Opening Address by Guest-of-Honor Mrs Lim Hwee Hua Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport

This year’s Miss Singapore World 2009 Grand Finals held on 31 August 2009 was a pageant with a difference.

Held at the Island Ballroom at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel, it was a unique collaboration; in conjunction with the Down Syndrome Association of Singapore’s (DSA) annual charity gala dinner — “Mystique III”. Gracing the event was Guest-of-Honor, Lim Hwee Hua, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport.

During the pre-event cocktail, City News spoke to Faraliza Tan, winner of Miss Singapore World 2008, who had the following words of wisdom for the upcoming winner, ‘Never let fame get to your head; when you are not wearing the crown, that’s when it is the true you. There needs to be a level of sincerity and humility in the way we carry our title.’

A recent graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Mass Communications from Nanyang Technological University, she shares that her experiences as a pageant winner has helped her to be more confident and to be a promoter of charitable causes as the ambassador for Action for AIDS.

Melissa Teo, Valentane Huang and Genecia Luo (from left to right)

Making an appearance at the gala was Genecia Luo, winner of Miss Singapore International 2006/2007; Valentane Huang, winner of Miss Singapore Tourism Queen 2009, Miss Singapore Chinatown 2008/2009 and Miss Singapore Global Beauty Queen 2008; and Melissa Teo, winner of Mrs Singapore Global Beauty 2010. Teo is currently very active in charity work, chairing an online forum that helps single mums.

Beyond the usual pageant segments such as the swim wear and evening gown segments, each section of the competition was interspersed with performances from past pageant winners, as well as fundraising activities for DSA.

The DSA Dance Ensemble put up a rousing dance number to the Bollywood hit “Jai-Ho”, which got the crowd grooving. Decked in psychedelic costumes, members of the DSA Dance Ensemble synchronized dance movements with precision and rhythm, which is a testament that persons with Down Syndrome are not with gifting and talent.

Past pageant winners of children beauty contests made their appearance on stage as well. Carrying confidence beyond their age, past Miniature Miss World winners entertained the crowd with angelic voices.

All proceeds of “Mystique III” will go to DSA, including table sales, auctions of Persian carpets and paintings by persons with Down Syndrome.

In the final moments of the gala dinner, the entire ballroom was charged up with anticipation as the Top 8 grand finalists selected sashayed on stage in their evening wear. The announcement of the Top 3 winners took place just a few moments after with tensed silence as the envelope containing the name of the winner was opened.

Pilar Arlando, a 19 year old student came in second runner-up; Claire Lee, a 22 year old graduate won the first runner-up position and Ris Low, a 19 year old student won the title of Miss Singapore World 2009.

Ris Low, currently pursuing a double diploma in travel & tourism as well as nursing, won a total of five awards — Best Dressed, Dazzling Eyes, Best Catwalk and Most Photogenic. With one of the largest cohort of supporters, Low also bagged the award for highest charitable donations via table sales and advertisements at the gala.

Miss Singapore World Grand Finals At "Mystique III"

Claire Lee, Ris Low and Pilar Arlando (from left to right)

In an exclusive closed-door interview with the pageant winners, City News got up close and personal with Oxy Ong, 20 year old student and winner of the Miss Singapore Model of the World Award. “I have gained valuable experience from this pageant in terms of learning to give back to society.”


Ris Low	Pilar Arlando	Claire Lee	Oxy Ong	Sonia Sawlani

On her future plans, second runner-up, Pilar Arlando commented, “I am going to continue volunteering with DSA and be more active in helping to raise funds for individuals with Down Syndrome, to help them better integrate into mainstream society.”

Claire Lee, first runner-up, shared with City News that she wants to break the stereotyped notion that people have of beauty queens. “I want to personally embody a person who possesses both beauty and intelligence, who is actively engaging different people from many different cultures.” Lee herself is a multi-linguist, fluent in languages such as Thai, French and German.

“I have a heart for needy children, especially in the slums in India. I do hope to be able to travel to countries like these such as Nigeria and South Africa, so that I can help to bring about sustainable change to young lives,” said Sonia Sawlani, winner of Miss Goodwill and Miss Singapore Globe Award.

Speaking to the newly crowned Miss Singapore World 2009, City News finds out what is Low’s most valuable lesson learned throughout the pageant. “Winning this title has helped me realized that one can always fulfill one’s dreams and be confident. I am excited to represent Singapore at the Miss World Finals in South Africa and I want to do our nation proud.”

THE STRAITS TIMES RAZOR TV - Miss Singapore World 2009 Finals

Swimwear, Jewellery and Selected Apparel by ABRY.

Thursday, 30 July 2009

The Straits Times Razor TV - July 2009

Swimwear, Jewellery & Selected Apparel by ABRY

Beauty with a Purpose

City News - July 2009

Beauty was brought to new heights as the 22 Miss Singapore World finalists took a ride on the iconic Singapore Flyer during a press conference held on the 23 July.

Besides showcasing the finalists, the event was also held in support of the Down Syndrome Association (DSA), which is Miss Singapore World’s chosen organization to collaborate with in continuation of the mandate of “beauty with a purpose”.

The motto was first coined by Julia Morley, the president of the Miss World Organization, who understood the importance of helping those in need, by empowering women to make a real change in society.

Fate brought both the pageant organizers and DSA together. This is the first time both organizations are working together.

“This year we are very privileged to work with DSA and it has actually been a very fruitful event. We organized activities for the girls and both parties have benefitted from them. A lot of awareness was created,” said Lisa Huang, a spokesperson for ERM Singapore, the pageant organizer.

Earlier in July, the finalists had tea with the children from DSA, where they put up talent shows to entertain them. They also performed a dance item and a magic show.

Dr Saba Iqbal, executive director of DSA, believes that by collaborating with Miss Singapore World, they are reaching out to a wider audience and greater awareness is being created for children of special needs.

Miss Singapore World finalist Jiselle Poh said that her perspectives were changed when she interacted with the children.

“I learnt that they are just like you and me. I used to have a different perception of them, but they are normal people,” said the 20-year-old student.

Jiselle’s thoughts were echoed by another finalist, Khym Ong, a student.

“This was a different kind of experience for me and I feel they are just like normal children,” said Khym.

In addition to the visit to DSA, a charity gala, titled “Mystique III” will be held to raise funds for DSA and will also crown the 38th Miss Singapore World, who will represent the nation in the international Miss World Finals in December.

“’Mystique III’ is actually DSA’s main fund raiser event, and since Miss Singapore World approached us, we thought, why not?” added Dr Saba.

Dr Saba also revealed that there will be a dance item and also a pushcart selling items made by the children of DSA. The grand finals will be held on 31 July.

Many of the finalists joined the pageant to build up their self confidence and to improve their social skills.

Huang, who is also Miss Singapore World 2005, believes that the finalists have benefitted from interacting with different organizations.

“They really enjoyed the activities because it is something that you don’t do everyday and to take the courage to just walk into DSA and help out. Most people will not do that. I think we need to teach the girls that, and we can learn a lot of things as well,” said Lisa.

Olivia Lim, 19, an undergraduate, said that she believes everyone should play a part in helping society.

PHOTOS: Jayson Lee

“I believe, with or without status, everyone should play a part in helping society. When I walk down the streets, people just stare at people who may be different from them and comment within themselves, which isn’t the correct thing to do. If I do win the title, I would join events and increase awareness of this, but firstly, I would start with my inner circles first,” said Olivia.

Beauty pageants have not outlived their usefulness. Many pageants are held throughout the year, but only a few continue to be relevant to the needs of the society. The 22 finalists from the Miss Singapore World 2009 epitomized the meaning of true beauty — not just through one’s outward appearance, but caring for others with a heart as well.