Cosmo Men 2001<\/p>\n
The quest for Mr. Right goes wrong
\n--------------
\nHera Diani
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta
\n-----------------<\/p>\n
Mr. Right, according to Kosmopolitan magazine, the franchise
\nof the U.S. magazine with a "C", is not merely a good-looking guy
\nwith a washboard flat stomach and bulging biceps.<\/p>\n
Of course looks matter, but a man must have certain
\n"qualities", including a successful career, a respect for a
\nwoman's career, maturity and the ability to be a reliable
\npartner.<\/p>\n
Oh, one more thing, he must have a soft side which makes a
\nwoman feel "understood". With these qualities in mind, the
\nmagazine chose 10 finalists for Cosmo Man.<\/p>\n
The search for the Cosmo Man has been an annual event since
\n1998, a year after the magazine was first published here. The
\nevent always attracts hundreds of participants, and this year 758
\nmen from across the country took part.<\/p>\n
A jury which included TV anchor Zsa Zsa Yusharyahya and model
\nLulu Dewayanti cut this number down to 33 semifinalists and then
\n10 finalists.<\/p>\n
This year's grand final was held on Oct. 31 at the Grand Melia
\nhotel. Surprisingly, it was entertaining. And not just because it
\nlanded three top performers -- singers Shanty, Melly Goeslaw and
\nTiti DJ -- well as noted emcees Tika Panggabean and Farhan.<\/p>\n
It was just fun to see how these men were willing to go
\nthrough this beauty pageant-like competition. The magazine may
\nhave played down the physical thing, but the event was not much
\ndifferent from a model competition.<\/p>\n
When the event started, those in attendance were shown a video
\nof the finalists' four-day "quarantine", during which time they
\ntook part in various activities like outdoor sports. The
\nactivities were aimed at getting to know the men's leadership,
\ntheir sense of teamwork and their sensitivity.<\/p>\n
And then, there they were, the 10 finalists, walking around
\nthe catwalk and posing before answering a Miss Universe-like
\nquestion.<\/p>\n
For Johanes Alford Suwignyo, a radio DJ\/TV presenter\/magician,
\nthe question was "What is your ideal woman"?<\/p>\n
"She has to be loyal and has the same religion as me. It's
\neasier for us to bridge the differences if our religion is the
\nsame," he said.<\/p>\n
"You see, a woman is like a puzzle. It can be in order or put
\ntogether incorrectly. Even if the color is wonderful and the
\npicture is great, if the pieces are not in the right places, it
\nwon't be good," he added.<\/p>\n
Want to know what success means for H. Akhiz Royhan Nasution,
\nan assistant manager for training and development at a big
\ninsurance company?<\/p>\n
"It's not about position, titles or money. It's about
\nunderstanding yourself, keeping life in balance and being
\nindependent," he said.<\/p>\n
Then the winners were announced. Favorite Cosmo Man went to
\nPalar Sakti Sutojo, an architect. And the Outstanding Achievement
\nAward went to Sonny Harry Budiutomo, who is only 26 but already a
\ndoctoral candidate at University of Indonesia's School of
\nEconomy, a lecturer and researcher.<\/p>\n
Second runner-up and runner-up went to Darry Sjahrinaldy
\nDarwis and Rudy Djohor, both pilots. And the Cosmo Man 2001
\nis ... Akhiz.<\/p>\n
How did the judges come to their conclusion?<\/p>\n
"We (judged) teamwork, leadership, physical appearance and
\nalso ... how macho (the men were)," said Zsa Zsa, adding that the
\nevent was not just a model competition.<\/p>\n
One of the finalists, Zaki Ahmad Ibrahim, asked people not to
\nbe cynical about the event.<\/p>\n
"The winners actually deserve it," he said.<\/p>\n
But the real star of the night was Tika Panggabean. If not for
\nher witty banter and jokes, the event would have been downright
\nboring.<\/p>\n
Famous for being larger than the average woman, she was the
\nreal proof that physical appearance is not the most important
\nthing.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/icosmo-men-2001i-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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