Cosmo Men 2001
The quest for Mr. Right goes wrong -------------- Hera Diani The Jakarta Post Jakarta -----------------
Mr. Right, according to Kosmopolitan magazine, the franchise of the U.S. magazine with a "C", is not merely a good-looking guy with a washboard flat stomach and bulging biceps.
Of course looks matter, but a man must have certain "qualities", including a successful career, a respect for a woman's career, maturity and the ability to be a reliable partner.
Oh, one more thing, he must have a soft side which makes a woman feel "understood". With these qualities in mind, the magazine chose 10 finalists for Cosmo Man.
The search for the Cosmo Man has been an annual event since 1998, a year after the magazine was first published here. The event always attracts hundreds of participants, and this year 758 men from across the country took part.
A jury which included TV anchor Zsa Zsa Yusharyahya and model Lulu Dewayanti cut this number down to 33 semifinalists and then 10 finalists.
This year's grand final was held on Oct. 31 at the Grand Melia hotel. Surprisingly, it was entertaining. And not just because it landed three top performers -- singers Shanty, Melly Goeslaw and Titi DJ -- well as noted emcees Tika Panggabean and Farhan.
It was just fun to see how these men were willing to go through this beauty pageant-like competition. The magazine may have played down the physical thing, but the event was not much different from a model competition.
When the event started, those in attendance were shown a video of the finalists' four-day "quarantine", during which time they took part in various activities like outdoor sports. The activities were aimed at getting to know the men's leadership, their sense of teamwork and their sensitivity.
And then, there they were, the 10 finalists, walking around the catwalk and posing before answering a Miss Universe-like question.
For Johanes Alford Suwignyo, a radio DJ/TV presenter/magician, the question was "What is your ideal woman"?
"She has to be loyal and has the same religion as me. It's easier for us to bridge the differences if our religion is the same," he said.
"You see, a woman is like a puzzle. It can be in order or put together incorrectly. Even if the color is wonderful and the picture is great, if the pieces are not in the right places, it won't be good," he added.
Want to know what success means for H. Akhiz Royhan Nasution, an assistant manager for training and development at a big insurance company?
"It's not about position, titles or money. It's about understanding yourself, keeping life in balance and being independent," he said.
Then the winners were announced. Favorite Cosmo Man went to Palar Sakti Sutojo, an architect. And the Outstanding Achievement Award went to Sonny Harry Budiutomo, who is only 26 but already a doctoral candidate at University of Indonesia's School of Economy, a lecturer and researcher.
Second runner-up and runner-up went to Darry Sjahrinaldy Darwis and Rudy Djohor, both pilots. And the Cosmo Man 2001 is ... Akhiz.
How did the judges come to their conclusion?
"We (judged) teamwork, leadership, physical appearance and also ... how macho (the men were)," said Zsa Zsa, adding that the event was not just a model competition.
One of the finalists, Zaki Ahmad Ibrahim, asked people not to be cynical about the event.
"The winners actually deserve it," he said.
But the real star of the night was Tika Panggabean. If not for her witty banter and jokes, the event would have been downright boring.
Famous for being larger than the average woman, she was the real proof that physical appearance is not the most important thing.