Utut regains hope after third-round draw JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian grandmaster Utut Adianto regained his self-confidence as his third-round chess duel against Briton Nigel Short yesterday ended with a draw at the 41st move. The Indonesian number one, who had been beaten two straight, played as a strategist rather than an aggressor yesterday. He fortified his defense heavily and attacked only when he was completely sure the odds favored him.

Guess What? Martina Sudwikatmono, eldest daughter of tycoon Sudwikatmono, deserves the nickname "Indonesian queen of pub". Her collection of pubs and restaurants -- all marketed at Jakarta's rich -- grew to three with the opening of Alessandro Nannini Cafe on the third floor of Senayan Plaza on Tuesday. Her first restaurant was Planet Hollywood on Jl. Gatot Subroto, and was followed by Fabrice on Jl. Sudirman. Both have quickly become bastions of yuppiedom.

Christmas gifts become a business By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): It's Christmas. Although Indonesia is a predominantly Moslem country, a Christmassy atmosphere can be felt in its big cities, at shopping malls in particular. Giant Christmas trees, beautifully decorated with twinkling lights and pretty ornaments, have become part of the year-end decorations. A wide range of Christmas parcels are available in almost all the big stores.

The secret behind Bagito group's success By A. Ariobimo Nusantara JAKARTA (JP): Many Indonesians might not know the difference between a clown and a comedian. The line is so thin between the two that a layman usually has problems discerning it and, for convenience sake, just lumps it all under the title of comedian. Comedy enthusiasts do not want to be bothered with expressions, norms or limits.

Five climbers die UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Five of a group of seven trekkers were found dead on Mount Bawakaraeng, a 2,800-meter-high mountain in the Gowa regency of South Sulawesi, police report. Their bodies were located on Friday, the Malino police announced Friday. The five were Syamsul bin La Bannu, 20, Gaffar bin Saga, 22, Arnold, 20, Daming bin Lipung, 19 and Mochtar bin Sutte, 20.

Airport parking, missing items There are two issues I would like to bring to the attention of PT Angkasa Pura management following my visit to Terminal 2 of the Jakarta international airport on the evening of Dec. 19. The first issue: When I approached the airport, I found it difficult to find a space to park the car momentarily to allow my passengers to get out near the arrival terminal.

Mexicans fight to preserve century-old Xmas tradition By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Ask anyone in your neighborhood if they know anything about Mexico and they will most surely mention Maria Mercedes, Louis Alfredo or Santiago. The answer isn't surprising. The names have become a popular subject of conversation over the last few years. Indonesians' knowledge of Mexico, the northernmost country in Latin America, is shaped by the frequent screening of Mexican soap operas on television.

Pohsarang Church blends with its environment and community KEDIRI, East Java: On top of a hill in a village near Kediri, East Java a small church blends nicely with its environment and the amiable community. It's as if the two compliment each other. The church, its uniqueness reflected in the richness of its form, is called the Pohsarang Church. Pohsarang was designed by Dutch architect MacLaine Pont in 1936.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fit with Berty Tilarso 7:40 TV Series: Speed Keteers 8:05 Children Program: Panggung Gembira Anak 8:35 Children Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Indonesian Music: Album Kita 10:45 Youth Program: Temu Remaja 11:15 Cooking Program: Masakan Indonesia 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang ke Gelanggang 1:15 p.m.

RI students abroad have mixed-emotions at Christmas By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): The first time John A. Utomo spent Christmas in the United States four years ago, he had mixed emotions.

RI economy projected to decelerate next year JAKARTA (JP): Merrill Lynch has predicted a deceleration of the Indonesian economic growth rate to a range of 6.5 to 7 percent in the coming 12 or 18 months, quite different from the rate of more than 7 percent projected by most domestic analysts.

Holiday In observance of Christmas, The Jakarta Post will not appear tomorrow. We will resume publication on Tuesday. We wish Merry Christmas to our readers who celebrate the day. -- Publisher

The Regent presents special Christmas cuisine JAKARTA (JP): These three recipes of Christmas cuisine have been specially prepared by The Regent Jakarta for The Jakarta Post.

The roles of husbands and wives changed By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): She works in an office, he takes their son to school. Together they are a fine American couple. When she comes home from the office they do the cooking together. He has done the shopping and everything else a housewife would normally do. Everything is normal in the household, except that the roles are reversed. In his spare time he does the gardening.

ASEAN countries form own soccer group BANGKOK (AFP): Football associations from the seven ASEAN countries on Friday formed their own group to increase their soccer profile. The setting up of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) was described as "a historic moment for any football fan in Southeast Asia," by veteran Indonesian soccer official Nabon Noor.

'Hot Wax' features shared cultures By Barbara Healy JAKARTA (JP): "Hot Wax, an Exhibition of Australian Aboriginal and Indonesian Batik", opened Friday at the Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa on Jl. Merdeka Timur 14, Central Jakarta. As the title suggests, this event represents a significant culmination of artistic talent and cross-cultural communication through batik imagery.

Different ponds have different fish JAKARTA (JP): Here are a couple of things you would expect anyone would do at the mall or on the street. But, remember, you are in Jakarta now. When old friends bump into each other in the corridor of a packed shopping mall, for example, you'd expect them to step aside before they start exchanging greetings and asking questions about each other's health and wealth. Right? Wrong. Jakartans stop and start gabbing right where they happened to be walking.