It was not just another day in Ancol paradise Text by Rita A. Widiadana, photo by Mulkan Salmona JAKARTA (JP): "Selamat malam, senang sekali. Terima kasih atas kehadiran Anda." Coming from Phil Collins, the greeting in Indonesian simply delighted the over 40,000 people who filled the former site of the Ancol Circuit in the Ancol Dreamland Park last night to see the British superstar perform. The 40,000 tickets at between Rp 50,000 and Rp 150,000 were sold out.

RP seizes Chinese boats MANILA (Reuter): The Philippine navy yesterday boarded and detained four Chinese fishing boats in the Spratly islands in the latest incident between countries claiming the South China Sea archipelago, the government said. The Chinese ships were captured by two Philippine navy ships near Alicia reef in the part of the Spratlys claimed by Manila, a presidential palace statement said.

Govt hikes fees for immigration JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday announced increases in various fees charged for immigration papers, even though revenues from this sector exceeded the target last year. The Directorate General for Immigration said there will be an increase in the cost of Indonesian passports. It will also cost more for visitors to extend their stay. This sector contributed Rp 27 billion ($12.3 million) to the government coffers last year.

'Nyepi': The day of silence marking Balinese New Year By Kilburn H. Roby and I Cening Tawan DENPASAR, Bali (JP): For the Balinese, new year falls in March or April, in sasih kedasa, the tenth month of the Balinese calendar. Nyepi (day of silence) is the name for the Hindu New Year's Day, and always falls on the day after the new moon.

Problems and prospects of Indonesian films By M. M. S. Marthawienata In conjunction with the National Film Day on March 30, The Jakarta Post prepared the following three articles on foreign (American) films' domination over local ones, the prospects of national film industry, and the steps required to face new challenges, including stiffer competition from television.

Your Letters Workers' future With regard to an article in The Jakarta Post on Sunday, Feb. 19, For A Better Workers' Future, I would like to give my opinion to other readers of the Post. Actually as a tourist in this beautiful country, I shouldn't be concerned about the miserable situation of its workers. But, as a citizen of a very democratic country with strong labor unions, I'm deeply saddened by the situation here.

'Gates': A book that takes you into many worlds Gates; Stephen Manes and Paul Andrews; Published by Simon & Schuster Inc., 1994; 541 pages (Incl. Index) JAKARTA (JP): What could be easier than being envious of this nerd named William Henry Gates III? Not much. He was already the richest man in America at the age of 37, and his wealth continues to accumulate.

Guess What? J. Michael Farley Lippoland executive J. Michael Farley moves to the beat of a different drum when it comes to relaxing from a hectic day's work. No leisurely golf matchers or a stroll in the park for the 53- year-old executive. Instead, Farley takes time out to sing and play guitar in energetic jam sessions at Elvis, the newly-opened eatery in the Arthaloka Building on Jl. Sudirman, every Wednesday night.

Rosewood to make its debut in Jakarta DALLAS, Texas (JP): Rosewood Hotels and Resorts Inc. is expanding by adding a Jakarta hotel to its international hotel and resort chain. The new hotel in South Jakarta will be managed by the company that also runs the Lanesborough hotel in London, Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Seiyo Ginza in Tokyo and Hotel Rose in Wiesbaden, Germany. Owned by PT Binapuri Lestari, the Rosewood hotel being constructed on Jl.

Guess What? Iem G. Ross "I must admit if I hear older Indonesians speaking Dutch, they speak it beautifully. They speak it correctly and maybe better than me," said Dutch Counselor for Cultural and Press Affairs Iem G. Ross. "Well, they remind me of the generation of my grandfather because they spoke in such a way too," Ross, who is also director of the Dutch Cultural Center Erasmus Huis, told The Jakarta Post recently.

Film appreciation needs to be improved: Salim Said By Jane Scott JAKARTA (JP): Questions about the marketing and distribution of Indonesian film were put to the Chairman of the Jakarta Arts Council, author, film and cultural critic, Dr. Salim Said. In Salim Said's view, the mandatory screening of Indonesian films during the Indonesian Film Month in March last year was not a great success. There were screens closed because of lack of materials and audiences were negligible.

Smokers and their fallacies JAKARTA (JP): Even in his early 70s my uncle is still a heavy smoker. However hard I try to make him quit, he doesn't care. Instead, he continually lectures me -- between coughs of course. "During the revolution for independence, it was cigarettes that kept us together. In the absence of good food, cigarettes provided us with the energy to fight. And, most of all, it was cigarettes that bound the fighters together in a strong and warm friendship.

Seeded shuttlers beaten in Paris meet PARIS (AFP): Scandinavia's men's and women's singles top seeds, Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Margit Borg, crashed out of the French Open badminton championships on Friday. Little-known and unranked Dharma Gunawi of Indonesia caused the first shock by ousting Denmark's Lundgaard Hansen 15-6, 15-9 in the second round. And at the same stage in the women's event, Sweden's Borg, world ranked 31, was cast aside by Russia's Elena Rybkina, classed 106, 11-4, 11-1.

Jobe grabs Sempati title JAKARTA (JP): A gusty wind did not trouble the steady play of American Brandt Jobe to win the US$250,000 Bali Sempati Open golf championship by two strokes at the Bali Golf and Country Club yesterday. Taking command on the opening round on Wednesday, together with fellow countryman Eric Meeks, Jobe went out with an even par 36 after a birdie put in the 4th. He endured a stroke deficit in the 6th and parred the following holes.

Rano Karno's 'Si Doel' a popular show Text by T. Sima Gunawan, photos by Mulkan Salmona JAKARTA (JP): One of Indonesia's best actors, Rano Karno, didn't run out of words during his hour-long conversation with The Jakarta Post last weekend, except when asked what he does in his spare time. "Playing golf, isn't for me," said the 35-year-old who also directs and produces films. Rano had to be reminded by the Post of his thousands of laser discs to get an answer. "Oh yeah, I like watching movies.

Modernity harms Batuan school of painting By Jean Couteau DENPASAR (JP): Among the schools of Balinese painting, the school of Batuan is renowned for its quality and creativity, the legacy of a long court tradition and of more recent modern changes. In the 1920s, the village of Batuan came under the influence of two western artists who had settled in Ubud under the patronage of the Sukawati.

Cooperation between film, TV industries JAKARTA (JP): Pessimism is the general mood of those involved in the motion-picture industry, from actors and actresses, directors, producers and movie theater owners. Flourishing television stations are one reason behind this dark mood. Many have changed direction and it seems that everybody is producing tele-novellas. Such a shift could have been avoided if television stations worked hand in hand with the film industry.

Taipei to take on RI in Davis Cup JAKARTA (JP): Chinese Taipei will field its best four players against Indonesia at a Davis Cup play-off, slated for March 31 to April 2. Taipei's number one Lien Yu-hui, number two Chen Chih-jung, number three Chen Wei-ju and number four Tsai Chia-yen, together with their non-playing captain Su Pen-hong are expected to arrive on Tuesday.

AIDS-awareness campaign begins with the family JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto launched a nationwide AIDS- awareness campaign yesterday, putting the onus on families to prevent, and fight against, the deadly disease. "AIDS will damage the nation's strength. Therefore we must prevent the spread of this disease from as early as possible," he said in a ceremony marking the launching of Gerakan Pembangunan Keluarga Sejahtera Sadar AIDS (family AIDS-awareness movement).

More Singapore flags go up in smoke in Manila By Rene Pastor MANILA (Reuter): Filipinos torched thousands of Singaporean flags around Manila yesterday in a fresh wave of protests against the hanging just over a week ago by the island state of convicted double murderer Flor Contemplacion.