The Chindian Diaries: Francissca Peter's Story

Francissca Peter, also affectionately known as Fran, is a Malaysian singer-songwriter. She has had over twenty Number 1 hits on the Malaysian music charts.
Fran is the second in a family of four children.
After secondary school, she took up work as a sales representative. It was the beginning of her journey as the bread winner of her family. For Fran, being a Chindian does have its challenges, where many incidents with regards to skin colour bias still happen till today.
For some in the Chinese community, she is not light skin enough to be Chinese and for some in the Indian community, she’s not dark skin enough to be Indian.
“You don’t look Indian, you don’t look Chinese, you also don’t look Malay - definitely not ‘Mat Salleh’, what are you?” were some of the common phrases she heard when she was growing up.
To read Fran's story: www.cowbird.com/thechindiandiaries

[@andramang]

I love your voice Fran..never grew tired of any of your songs. A real nightingale..

[@raypatrick9932]

Always your fan ..Francissca Peter. Beauty with talent.

[@yunimasdahlia8389]

Fran you are a legend now . Your songs are sung at Malaysian Talent shows nowadays ! Five years straight from 1980 you were the top female singer in Malaysia . That’s quite an amazing feat ! Such prejudices at times are Malaysian in nature ! You just have to accept or ignore them . I love to hear most of your lovely songs . You have a sweet and awesome voice . .. and you are beautiful too 😍 . Franciska Peters , Jacklyn Victor and now we have Vanessa Reynauld to join the elite group of Malaysian artists . Congrats to all of you to make Malaysia proud 🇲🇾 .

[@vister6757]

So sorry to hear the racism you had to go through during your younger days. God's grace is sufficient to strengthen you and led you to greater success. I love your voice and listening to your singing during my teens. Absolutely love you!

[@sathi6395]

We love you Fran!!!!We thank you for your songs. 💙💖!!!!

[@amiyaanurag01]

Keep going chinian diaries u do great....

[@mrs.m6596]

Fran you are a beautiful young Lady, inside and out along with all your brothers and sister. What the sales women in the shop were really saying was. " Gee, I wish I had that gorgeous figure and to die for complexion! She's truly the whole package!" They already knew that you are!! Much love and respect from London, stay blessed to you and all your amazing family. Especially Mum!

[@elootl]

When I was young I thought Francesca Peters is Portuguese Eurasian until I read her background in newspaper.

[@j.c.8493]

Eric Loo Yes it is confusing. I am a Singapore eurasian with a Portuguese background / heritage so we know which names are Indian and which are Eurasian 😁 Have a great day

[@rpremkumar1958]

And then being paired with Roy Santa Maria and it reminded me of the Donny and Marie Osmond sibling. Frankly it's sheer talent and humility and incredible sibling closeness with Bibianna that counts. Legends these siblings.

[@exwostorianhelmi]

Best singer ever. Fantastic voice. Love u

[@Bustamamgendut]

As far as I know, Chindian usually have pretty women and handsome men

[@bradermozz6667]

Hey you are our dream girl those days...every guy are fighting who will be the luckiest to have a girl like you Fran...a superb songstress with lovely voice... me.?..of course one of them too...!!!

[@youngtun5980]

Fran....we love you❤

[@foongkit6116]

U get the best from both sides

[@IrfanR83]

There r plenty of narrow minded people around today...sadly they havent changed...we r almost reaching the 2020 century...hopefully i dont hear anymore skin color issues among the malaysian..

[@Reformist101]

she looks malay for sure

[@letchumytheresa8970]

By appearance she definitely looks like a Malay but her name gives her away.. and I love her songs and singing..

[@movine2344]

she has beautiful eyes

[@Joseph-fd8bp]

wowwww

[@evelynbronte476]

Haha my mom used to say the same thing ... dumpster..., 70s, 80s and even early 90s we are 'rare' but now we are everywhere

[@brightstarlavandula3028]

Owh Fran is Chindian... I thought she is Serani...

[@j.c.8493]

Brightstar Lavandula Yes can be confusing. My family is Serani ( Eurasian) and we are confused for other races based on the place or people we encounter. Haven’t heard many use the term Serani for a long time. God Bless and have a great day 😁

[@brightstarlavandula3028]

@@j.c.8493 yes u r rite. Serani is very unique, right. If im not mistaken, most of Serani are from Melaka. Is that true? Stay safe too...

[@j.c.8493]

Brightstar Lavandula hi! yes most of them are but some are born in Singapore also

[@ungavick]

Wow

[@stellamageswary4215]

Im your fan. You r beautiful.

[@edison2964]

Believe it or not! Shes my aunt and related to me

[@novachamber653]

Did she teach singing lesson bro?

[@vister6757]

Tell her she's fantastic! I also love how she and her mom are so close. God bless them and you!

[@radulazar5485]

Beauty ppls from a caucasian view!😀

[@abdulazizibrahim1556]

You are beautiful....

[@ksatriabajahitam2214]

Franc

[@ganeshchoudhury9858]

U look malay...Indian + Chinese generally look malay for sure

[@theshah9756]

X kesah lah chindian ker, the best non malay ke apa. She IS the greatest malaysian female singer ever! recognize! Tahniah datuk 💯👍

[@ChooPor]

LOL

[@Barcathebest-xm7hd]

There isn't anything as Chindian. It depends on which race the father is. If the father is Indian then the child is Indian and if Chinese the child will be Chinese. In Indian and my wife is Chinese and my children are considered Indians in birth cert. My sister's hubby is Chinese and my nieces are Chinese. This is simple logic. Then next time if Chinese n Malay will be Chima or Machi, Indian and Malay will be Inmal or Malin. If Bai and Malay will be Baima it mabai. Imagine if Chinese and Bai .. ?😁

[@vixtor9391]

And for your info the race can follow mother’s race since 2011 so keep your ignorance to yourself.