Be relaxed, don't get too emotional: Centennial man

JAKARTA (JP): The phrase which says that life is too short may not apply to Hendrik Willem Rattu.

While many men over 60, or even below, are susceptible to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke, and 79-year-old former president Soeharto is apparently suffering from brain damage; Hendrik passed his 100th birthday recently in a happy and healthy state.

During his birthday celebration he proved his stamina as he stood for some 45 minutes, assisted only by a walking stick, to deliver a speech.

"It's just amazing. Amazing," Hendrik said over and over, in a loud and clear voice as he recounted his childhood of being a young boy in North Sumatra learning to speak Dutch.

When asked what the secret to being a centennial man was, he smiled: "Just be relaxed. Don't get too emotional, and don't keep things inside your heart. And, oh, pray a lot!"

Certainly there is nothing out of the ordinary about this man's life which may give him an advantage over others in exceeding the life expectancy of other Indonesians by some 35- years.

He is not a celebrity or a former high-ranking state official. He is just a regular man, who last worked for a local trading company.

Hendrik, or "Opa Rattu" as his grandchildren call him, does not suffer from senility either.

"He still knows many religious songs by heart," a relative said.

Hendrik certainly proved that during his birthday reception as he sung his favorite songs, including one that he wrote himself.

Judging from the guests who came to the celebration at Wisma Bhayangkari, South Jakarta, and from the embraces and praise from relatives and friends who took the trouble to hold a party for him, you can be sure that he is well-liked and loved.

"Opa is very easy going and patient and fun too. He can sing, play some musical instruments and draw paintings," said Alita, one of his four grandchildren.

Born in Manado, North Sulawesi, his education only lasted until elementary school. At 13, he worked at a post office in Manado and then worked as a clerk for a Dutch administrative office.

At that time Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial rule.

Hendrik then roamed the archipelago following his father whom he describes as a wanderer.

"I have been to 61 places which I can call home in this country," Hendrik said.

Throughout his 100 years he has also held a variety of jobs, from an employee at the Ministry of Justice, a mining company in Bangka and Belitung, a company in Subang, West Java and finally at a trading company here in Jakarta.

His extensive travels was probably the reason he did not settle down and marry till a late age.

Hendrik married his late wife Elizabeth at the age of 39. They had three children.

Apart from outliving his wife who died in 1992 at the age of 82, his youngest son also preceded him.

"Well, my life has not always been smooth. It has had its ups and downs too, like everyone else's," Hendrik said.

After waking up at 6:30 a.m., each morning, he fills his time mostly with conducting religious activities and reading.

Traveling remains a feature of his life as he often commutes to meet his children who live in Sukabumi or Bandung, West Java.

"Everything I do now is only meant for one purpose: serving God," he said. (hdn)