Rizqi, Santi crowned Jakarta ambassadors<\/p>\n
By Edith Hartanto and Emilie Sueur<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): She wants to be a lawyer and he wants to be a
\nbusinessman. But for the next 12 months, they will have to
\npostpone their ambitions and serve as ambassadors of Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Rizqi Indrawan and Garnasih Aesanti, alias Santi, were crowned
\nAbang and None Jakarta, or Mr. and Miss Jakarta, at the Jakarta
\nConvention Center, beating 15 other couples, on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Rizqi graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology,
\nmajoring in industrial technology, in April. Santi has completed
\nher studies at the School of Law in Trisakti, Jakarta, and is
\nwaiting for the graduation ceremony in October.<\/p>\n
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja and his wife Sri Soemarsih crowned
\nthe winners in the ceremony, which was attended by 2,000 people.<\/p>\n
The idea for the contest began in 1968 when then governor Ali
\nSadikin decided he needed someone to help him in protocol tasks
\nsuch as greeting guests. An Abang and None have since been
\nelected each year for the task.<\/p>\n
\"I am surprised and honored,\" Santi said with tears and black
\nmascara running down her cheeks after receiving her tiara.<\/p>\n
Besides being interested in law, Santi also teaches English at
\nthe Indonesian American Friendship Association and takes piano
\nlessons.<\/p>\n
Yet, for the next 12 months she has promised to give her all
\nin representing the capital and the Betawi (native Jakartans).<\/p>\n
\"I don't want to do it halfheartedly,\" she said, revealing
\nthat she had been accepted at a leading law firm in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Born in Jakarta on April 30, 1974, Santi lives with her
\nparents in Cidodol, South Jakarta. She is the fourth of five
\nchildren of Garnawan Dharmaputra, a retired diplomat who served
\nas ambassador in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.<\/p>\n
Santi said she traveled with her father during his active
\ndiplomatic service. \"I'm lucky because I learned so much about
\nmany countries and cultures since I was a baby,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Her family was supportive in her decision to enter the
\ncontest.<\/p>\n
She listed tae kwon do, roller blading, swimming, reading and
\nplaying the piano as being among her favorite pastimes. She is an
\nardent fan of John Grisham.<\/p>\n
Rizqi sees the title as a stepping-stone in his pursuit of a
\ncareer in business because in the next 12 months he will have
\nplenty of opportunities to meet many people.<\/p>\n
Rizqi said he would like to travel more, and one of his dreams
\nis to visit the United States.<\/p>\n
But he said he was also ready to play his part in promoting
\nJakarta as a tourist destination.<\/p>\n
Born in Jakarta on Sept. 2, 1974, he is the second of seven
\nchildren of Nelson Tamin, an employee of a private company.<\/p>\n
Rizqi admitted that it was his mother who submitted the
\napplication form for him to take part in the contest. \"I was
\nsurprised when they (the organizers) called me in July,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rizqi, a resident of Bintaro in South Jakarta, listed reading
\nas one of his main hobbies as well as music and tennis. He said
\nhis favorite book was Soeharto's autobiography.<\/p>\n
Rizqi and Santi were immediately showered with prizes. And
\nmore are bound to follow, not to mention lucrative job offers,
\nusually from the show biz world, further down the road.<\/p>\n
Besides each being awarded a trophy, they both won a Timor
\ncar, Rp 2 million ($770), a return ticket to Los Angeles, and
\nevening wear from Indonesian top designer Ramli.<\/p>\n
Santi made it clear that she intends to pursue a career in law
\nafter completing her duty as None Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"I don't want to pursue a career in show biz or even dream
\nabout becoming a star.<\/p>\n
\"I really want to become a lawyer. My brother is a lawyer and
\nhe inspired me,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Rizqi, however, is keeping his options open and says that any
\noffer in show biz would be considered. \"But for now, I want to
\nconcentrate on my task (as Abang) for the next 12 months.\"<\/p>\n
Rizqi said he has many girlfriends, but \"right now, I'm not
\nseriously attached to anyone\".<\/p>\n
When asked about a boyfriend, Santi first resisted the
\nquestion, but eventually gave in. \"Yes I have a boyfriend and he
\nis very understanding,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rizqi-santi-crowned-jakarta-ambassadors-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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