Presenter Becky, a woman with a simple wish
Presenter Becky, a woman with a simple wish
JAKARTA (JP): Her familiar face frequently appears on
television screens hosting popular TV shows or starring in
numerous television series. But Ruth Ludwina Rebecca Tumewu, or
Becky Tumewu as she is popularly known, still has a dream to
pursue.
She wants to get married, have a husband and children:
a simple wish she has kept since she was in high school.
And soon, Becky will get what she wants.
Next week, on Sept. 9, she will wed Johannes Theodorus
Dermawan, or Irwan, her close friend for four years, in a
ceremony at the Cathedral Church in Central Jakarta and a
reception a day later at Balai Sudirman in Tebet, South Jakarta.
The 29-year-old Irwan is a manager of Emeralda golf course in
Cimanggis, Bogor.
"The day will be very special for me... I wait for the
sacrament at the church most," said Becky, who is also 29 years-
old.
Becky is one of the country's popular MCs. Every month, she
receives around 12 orders with a fee of up to Rp 6 million for a
show.
She earlier hosted Becky's Morning Program on Prambors radio
station before trying her luck in television. She hosted Pesta
variety show on Indosiar. She has also appeared in numerous TV
series, the latest ones include Supermarket Om Tan (Uncle Tan's
Supermarket) on ANteve and Warung Badung (Naughty Shop) on SCTV.
And last year, she released her debut album featuring her hit,
Berdua (Together).
A graduate of Atmajaya Catholic University's School of
Teachers and Training, she once taught first and fourth graders
at Abdi Siswa elementary school.
Becky was born in Jakarta on May 27, 1970, as the fifth child
of Maynard Tumewu and late Jeanne Marie Swart -- her mother had a
Dutch parent.
"I will wear a white wedding gown, just as my late mother
wished," said Becky, who wants to have two children from her
marriage.
Becky said that for her, getting wedding is a process that she
has to take at a certain point in her life.
"For me, a husband will be the closest person, a friend and a
lover... a person of whom I will share everything, my happiness,
my sadness. He has to be a person that can help me sort out my
problems...," she said.
But why did they chose Sept. 9, 1999, or 9-9-99, as the
wedding day? While some couples also plan to get married that
day, others predict worst things, even doomsday, will take place
on Sept. 9.
Becky, who did most of the talking although Irwan was sitting
next to her when the two announced their wedding plan to members
of the press on Thursday, said the two of them decided in
February to marry on that date simply because it's unique.
"Both Irwan and I don't believe in such (superstitious)
things, predictions or good days or bad days. For us, every day
is a good day. We heard about the prediction all right, if it
happens, there's nothing we can do about it... so just leave it
all to Him. And I'm not worried...," said Becky,
Becky was introduced to Irwan, a graduate of Hawaii Pacific
University, by her close friend, presenter Indra Safera in 1995.
"At the time, I didn't have a boyfriend and I followed Indra
anywhere he went... maybe that's why he introduced me to his
friend, Irwan, who was just returning from Hawaii and, according
to Indra, did not have a girl friend," laughed Becky.
And both Irwan and Becky admitted that they did not fall in
love at first sight.
"I'm attracted to her because she's independent, clever and
can be a good friend...," Irwan praised Becky.
For Becky, Irwan is not a romantic man as she earlier
expected. "But he's good to talk with. With him, I can be the
real me, good or bad. And he supports my work and does not try to
prevent me from doing this or that."
But their relationship, just like most other couples, is not
as smooth as porcelain. They even broke up many times.
"I lost count how many times we're broken up and then made up
again...," said Becky, without revealing the causes for the
breaking up.
"But the longest time we could stay away from each other was
two weeks at most," she said, "Maybe because we're meant to be
together."
For the wedding, the couple have sent around 1,700 wedding
invitations. But unlike other celebrities, who boasted about
their luxurious weddings, the couple preferred to be low profile.
Becky revealed that she has received lots of gifts, ranging
from wedding dresses, bride-to-be beauty treatments to souvenirs
-- thanks to her celebrity status -- for her wedding. Some
celebrities, like Harvey Malaiholo, Indra Safera, Ruth Sahanaya
and Tantowi Yahya have even offered their talents to highlight
the wedding, she added.
"I'm so lucky to have many friends...," said Becky, who still
has another dream, to set up a preschool of her own to practice
the skills she gained at university.
She wants to have children right after the marriage but still
has no plan for a honeymoon.
When asked whether she will give up her work when she gets
married, Becky said that she has no plan to do so. She even plans
to release her second album soon.
"I like my profession and I will keep my job after my
marriage. This is my commitment with Irwan," she said.
"But if I'm pregnant, I might reduce my activities, it's
natural, right... but if there's someone who still wants to hire
a presenter who is six-month or seven-months pregnant... why not?
It's ok with me..." (ste)