Kassandra steals attention<\/p>\n
By R. Alpha Amirrachman<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): I didn't know why Penny, an 18-year-old student,
\nmissed my English class on particular days until she told me
\nhonestly, "because I couldn't afford to miss Kassandra, Sir."<\/p>\n
Oh, Kassandra, how influential you are!<\/p>\n
I'm not very interested in watching the famous soap opera, but
\nI'm absolutely positive that Kassandra has stolen millions of
\nIndonesians' attention. The soap opera is aired every Monday,
\nWednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is watched
\nmostly by girls, women and housewives.<\/p>\n
Marlyn, my neighbor, commented, "The story is just great...it
\ngoes without saying. I get carried away every time I see it. I
\nnever miss it. You know, Kassandra is too honest and modest, how
\ncould such horrible things happen to such a nice girl like her?
\nIt is completely unfair. I just can't wait to find out what is
\ngoing to happen to her in the next episode."<\/p>\n
Even my mother said, "Luis David is not only handsome and
\ncharming, but also patient and very calm. The way he tackles
\nevery problem he faces really impresses me. I admire him so much.
\nHe could handle himself under any circumstance. Other people do
\nnot like him, especially the maid who is aware of the true love
\nbetween Kassandra and him."<\/p>\n
Normally, she lets our servant to stop working when Kassandra
\nis on, so they can share the show together. My grandmother is
\nalso a big fan, but she has trouble hearing so she always asks my
\nsister to explain what is going on. My grandmother got a lump in
\nthe throat when Kassandra was accused of murdering her husband.<\/p>\n
Once, at a South Jakartan hospital, I saw a bunch of people
\nmilling around in front of the operating room. They all looked
\nvery serious. I thought they must be praying for a relative
\nhaving an operation. I was about to convey my sympathy to one of
\nthem when I noticed the group, comprised mostly of women, were
\nstanding around a TV watching Kassandra. My sympathy quickly
\ndisappeared.<\/p>\n
I have to admit, however, that Coraima Torres's charm has
\ncompelled millions of people to sit in front of their TVs.
\nThirty-eight countries around the world air the soap opera. I am
\nafraid that Indonesians are overly enthusiastic.<\/p>\n
Kassandra has become a bond between Indonesian women,
\nespecially housewives. This Venezuelan telenovela is much better
\nthan the violent movies that are always on, and Indonesian
\ntelenovelas. TV is now a source of information and a place where
\nyou can find anything you need or don't need.<\/p>\n
I believe Kassandra has adversely affected our developing
\neconomy.<\/p>\n
Sugeng, a friend who owns a medium-sized company, was upset to
\nfind that some of his employees were watching Kassandra during
\noffice hours.<\/p>\n
"They have become unconscientious," he complained. "Kassandra
\nhas started to wear the pants at my office. I don't know who I
\nhave to blame -- my employees, the TV stations or maybe TV
\nitself. But I strongly believe it would be better if the TV
\nstations showed Kassandra at night."<\/p>\n
Ida, a newly married woman, told me, "Even when I shop at a
\nsupermarket, I have no hesitation to ask the staff to turn on the
\nTV when Kassandra is on. It's no problem, I can still manage my
\njob as a housewife."<\/p>\n
I reluctantly had to accompany my sister, Irma, and her
\nfriend, Erni, to see Coraima "Kassandra" Torres at Ancol last
\nNovember. Thousands of housewives came from every corner of
\nGreater Jakarta to see the star. We arrived at 9:30 a.m. and
\nwaited, until Coraima Torres came at 3 p.m., among thousands of
\npeople. Erni, who was fortunately standing very close to
\nKassandra, screamed hysterically when the star kissed her.<\/p>\n
"Oh, my God! Kassandra kissed me. She kissed me. She kissed
\nme. I will never wash my face...never!" she screamed.<\/p>\n
My sister was not so lucky. She had fainted, because of her
\nlow blood sugar level and the excitement, and came to only after
\nher favorite star had gone. Oh, Kassandra!<\/p>\n
R. Alpha Amirrachman is an English instructor at American
\nLanguage Training.<\/p>",
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