'I'm just the same Rina who likes eating at street stalls'
Sri Ramadani, Contributor, Jakarta
Rina Gunawan has taken several paths in her journey in the entertainment world. Born Rina Mustikana Gumilan, she was a child entertainer in the 1980s and went on to an adult career as a singer and actress on sinetron (TV soap opera).
Married to actor Teddy Teodoriu Syahteddy, the mother of a young son is now focusing most of her time on being a talk-show host with ANteve's Campur Campur, broadcast twice daily, and a wedding planner and party organizer. Rina, who turns 28 in June, tells us what matters most to her; but it isn't the pursuit of fame.
Question: Why did you stop acting in soaps?
Answer: I already had too much work outside and I didn't want to have more because I have to take care of my son. I usually take four hours a day for meetings with clients, presenting the talk show and taking my son to school. That keeps me busy enough.
Q: Which do you prefer -- being a presenter, singer or wedding planner?
A: I prefer being a presenter as I find doing a talk show challenging. A presenter has to be able to take the lead and make the show more lively.
Q: Why did you decide to be a wedding planner?
A: The role of Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner inspired me to be a wedding planner and I stole the wedding planner's skills from the film!
Q: If you were the wedding planner of Britney Spears' wedding, what would you do?
A: Wow ... it is impossible, or it might be possible only in my dreams (laughs).
Q: You've made your name as a kids' birthday party organizer and planning the weddings for actress Dina Lorenza as well as comedian Eko Patrio. What's your secret for getting clients?
A: My principle is not to seek a client. The clients will call and ask me to work with them, and I just go ahead. I am not an ambitious woman as I have a husband who can meet all of my son's and my needs.
Q: But what is your ambition?
A: To be a mother who can properly care for and educate my son until he grows up.
Q: Whom do you admire?
A: The late president Sukarno. My mother told me his life story. He had a good personality and strong leadership. I also admire my mother and I am very grateful for her role in the family.
Q: If you had to interview Sukarno on Campur Campur talk show, how would you feel?
A: Wow ..., maybe, I wouldn't be able to interview him (laughs)
Q: Why do you often wear a hat, and what kind of clothes do you like to wear?
A: Wearing a hat is a practical way to be stylish during busy hours. I like to wear practical and fun-looking clothes; T-shirt, pants and a jacket.
Q: Do you worry about your weight?
A: No, I don't. I just enjoy my life, it is a process. After my pregnancy, I couldn't lose weight quickly but it is not a problem. My husband doesn't agree that I try to lose weight through improper and dangerous ways.
Q: What characteristics do you dislike in yourself?
A: I am forgetful. That's all.
Q: What characteristics do you love in your husband?
A: He is disciplined, not emotional and mature. He is my ideal husband, of course.
Q: What was the last movie you watched?
A: A Beautiful Mind. It is a good movie. The star, Russell Crowe, played his part very well and the character composition was amazing. I think Indonesians are not yet able to create a character composition as well as they did in that film.
Q: What is the cost of popularity?
A: Oh, just the usual things. I never think about it. As a worker in the arts, I just do my best, though not to gain popularity, even though it will follow by itself. But I am still the same Rina who likes eating at street stalls and going to the traditional market.
Q: Do you have any regrets in life?
A: No, not at all. Life is so beautiful.
Q: What makes life worth living?
A: Happiness and togetherness in my family is what constitutes a wonderful life.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As an excellent housewife who succeeded in taking care of her husband and son. I would be happy if people were impressed by the way I took care of my family.
Q: What is your secret to success in your marriage?
A: Communication is very important. I always tell my husband where I want to go and always do whatever my husband suggests although, sometimes, his advice is not the same as my aspirations.