Agnes Monica grabs best actress Panasonic award

Sri Ramadani, Contributor, Jakarta

Young starlet Agnes Monica -- the only female nominee in the best drama actor category -- surprisingly upset seniors Anjasmara, Ari Wibowo and Sahrul Gunawan to grab the award at the fifth Panasonic Awards thanks to her leading role in Pernikahan Dini.

"I thank God, my friends, all the crew and my parents who have been very supportive of my career and also to my fans who have chosen me," she said during the awards ceremony at the Jakarta Convention Center on Friday.

This year, the organizer decided to reduce the number of categories by joining both male and female categories.

Noted director Teguh Karya, whose several movies won Citra awards years ago, was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Teguh failed to show up due to illness and actor Alex Komang, his prodigy, represented him to accept the award.

Two TV channels, RCTI and Indosiar, dominated the evening although Indosiar and SCTV decided to pull out from the event in the last few weeks.

"This is not a boycott action. We can't participate in the event due to our busy schedules," said Gufron Sakaril, the Indosiar public relations head.

SCTV public relations manager Budi Darmawan said in a statement that the station never intended to "boycott" and they only did not supply the prime program list to be selected by TV audiences and processed by the organizers.

Entertainment whiz-kid Joshua Suherman received two awards for best children's show host and television star categories.

Joshua's program, Quiz Joshua, also won the award for best children's show. Joshua's manager Helmy Yahya received the awards on behalf of the star, who began to grab attention when he was only three.

Helmy, who created the Quiz Joshua program, also won the award for best quiz show through his Siapa Berani, which is aired from Monday to Friday live and involves 100 participants.

The best talk show host award went to former RCTI's Angin Malam host Dewi Hughes, who also failed to appear at the ceremony.

The awards -- organized by PT. Panasonic National Gobel, private TV station RCTI and the weekly tabloid Citra -- ran a theme on the eastern part of Indonesia.

Citra chief editor Maman Suherman said the theme was aimed to promote traditional cultures from the provinces in the area.

Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar, Anjasmara, actress Tamara Bleszynski and designer Poppy Dharsono were seen dressed in traditional costumes while strolling down the red carpet.

The ceremony itself was aired nation-wide by RCTI.

Several singers, including Indonesian diva Krisdayanti, entertained audiences during the ceremony. Wearing a light- colored blouse and black and transparent lace trouser, Krisdayanti sang her hit Rembulan.

List of the Panasonic Award winners: Best talk show: Selamat Datang Pagi (RCTI), Best talk show host: Dewi Hughes, Best news program: Seputar Indonesia (RCTI), Best news broadcaster: Arief Suditomo (SCTV), Best infotainment and TV magazine: Cek and Ricek (RCTI), Best infotainment and TV magazine presenter: Fanny Rahmasari, Best children's show: Quiz Joshua (Indosiar), Best children's show presenter: Joshua, Best sports program: Italian League (RCTI), Best sport program presenter: Dick Doank (RCTI), Best music and variety show: Clear Top Ten (RCTI), Best music and variety show host: Dewi Sandra, Best quiz show: Siapa Berani (Indosiar), Best quiz show host: Sonny Tulung, Best traditional show: Ketoprak Humor (RCTI), Best traditional show presenter: Tessy, Best comedy show: Ngelaba (TPI), Best comedian: Topan, Best TV drama: Pernikahan Dini (RCTI), Best actor/actress in a TV drama: Agnes Monica, Best TV program: Ketoprak Humor (RCTI), Best TV host: Joshua, Lifetime achievement award: Teguh Karya