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.