Debby Sahertian torn between career and romance

Debby Sahertian torn between career and romance

By Asniar Sahab

JAKARTA (JP): She began her career as a model at the tender
age of 16. The catwalk was a stepping stone for her to enter the
world of the upper class. She was a good mixer among various
types of celebrities. At the age of 29, she joined Lenong Rumpi,
a traditional drama group popular among Betawi people, the
"indigenous" residents of Jakarta.

It was in this acting world that her reputation bloomed,
making her a best-selling comedy artist. Today, apart from being
an actor and a TV film director, Debby is also in charge of
public relation affairs in a cafe in downtown Jakarta, and the
presenter of an interior design program on a private TV station.
She's got virtually everything: popularity, jobs, a house, a car
and so forth. Yet, she feels something is still lacking in her
life. What is it?

"What's always on my mind now is that I want to get married. I
want to have a husband and children, a complete family. This is
the only thing I want now. Once I get married, I will stop
working and devote all my time to my family," she said in the
sidelines of her busy time as an MC of an event at Mulia Hotel,
in early February. It was an honest statement from a woman.
Although she is already at the peak of her career, a happy
married life is still her long-cherished dream.

For Debby, now 38, life is a never-ending process of learning
and struggling. She says that people have to fight in all
respects all along their journey in life. She wants to be happily
married, so she says she has had to be indefatigably patient to
wait for the right time to come. While waiting, she will continue
her career.

In her acting career, Debby was once entrusted to direct a TV
film. When the opportunity presented itself, she had no doubt
about seizing it. Thanks to her self-confidence, she accomplished
the feat of being a film director. She calculated all the risks
involved, braved all, proved a success and breathed a sigh of
relief.

She directed two titles, Maafkan Daku Bila Mencintaimu (Sorry
that I Love You), produced in 1996 in 18 episodes, and Di Bawah
Naungan Cinta (Under the Shade of Love), made a year later in 15
episodes. She loves love stories because love-related conflicts
are interesting to explore and expose, so she argues. She has
also made her own TV comedies, among others, Flamboyan 108, Hitam
Putih (Black and White) and Lenong Gaul.

She says that she's never enjoyed formal training for any of
the careers which she has so far undertaken; as a model, a TV
star and a film director. When she was a model, she didn't have
the time to learn properly how to be a model, yet she was
successful as one. When she had to switch to acting, she didn't
learn acting formally. Ditto when she directed films. Yet, she
was always serious and relied heavily on her natural talent.

Debby said that when she was a catwalk model, she had to have
a very strong personality to present her own image to the
audience using her walk and body movements. However, in acting,
she has to assume the role of a particular character in the
script. Both modeling and acting, though, are equally enjoyable
to her and she loves them both.

As a star and a public figure, Debby must have gone through a
lot of things, temptation included. She always deals with this
matter with a cool head, she said, adding that some flirted
openly but others did so as a kind of experiment, knowing that
she is still single. Debby, however, always tries her best to
remain professional in the face of these temptations. She is well
aware where she stands: a sensational world laden with gossip.
Her principle is that the gossip doesn't matter as long as her
private life isn't disturbed. Otherwise, she will straighten
things out.

Although she often makes her audience laugh, giving an
impression that she is always trouble-free, Debby will only smile
in the face of gossip. She is a comedy artist and can make people
laugh and happy, but obviously she often feels blue and low. Few
will be aware of this as she keeps all these low feelings to
herself. If the feelings become unbearable, she will go and see a
movie, or travel anywhere that pleases her heart.

How does she goes through a situation in which she has to act
joyfully before the camera while deep in her heart she is
enveloped in sorrow? In a relaxed manner, she says that once she
is in front of the camera, all her bad or blue moods vanish into
thin air.

"This may sound strange, but it is my conviction that all
these bad feelings must be resisted. I know the process is
difficult but I have to be a real professional. Strangely for
example, when I am under a great deal of stress I can crack
jokes. This may be a way of compensating for my stress. So, as
I've often said, outwardly I laugh but inwardly I cry," she said,
with a funny expression on her face.

She admitted, though, that she was once under a great deal of
stress for six months. This occurred when she had to decide
whether to go on with her career or get married. Finally she
decided to break apart from her lover although she was deeply in
love with him.

While in confusion, she kept searching for something that she
felt she had lost and had to spend six restless and sleepless
months, sequestering herself. Then one day she tried to read the
Bible and this gave her a good night's sleep. Besides, she also
read books on how to think positively or how to reach success.

Debby now enjoys greater calm and peace. She is established
and has a more mature view of love. To her love is a situation in
which there is someone who pays attention to her. It is important
that she must also be proud of the successes made by someone she
loves. What is most important to her is that she must be
emotionally attached to the one she loves. She will feel secure,
peaceful and happy in the presence of this person. Then her
vitality will be reinforced.

Having failed several times in romantic relationships doesn't
seem to discourage her. This time, however, she will live her
life in greater peace.

Nearly four decades in age, she said she will not be too
choosy about her future husband. "What's most important is that
he must be at the same level as me. He must have his own business
and share similar hobbies with me. And we can take pride in each
other. Just that ...." she said very diplomatically with a
chuckle.

Obviously, she is still waiting for her Romeo.