Putri Indonesia still girl at heart

Putri Indonesia still girl at heart

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

She responds to every question with a smile, an even voice and
an answer that is politically correct. Only a few weeks into her
reign as Miss Indonesia 2002, Melanie Putria Dewita Sari has
learned to separate her personal life from her public one.

Her name, a mouthful to say, which roughly means "dark-skinned
princess with the essence of a goddess", is remarkably prophetic,
for the "princess" received her crown on July 12 after defeating
33 other contestants from 30 provinces in Indonesia.

"Thank God, I am very pleased (about being named Miss
Indonesia 2002). I am very proud and touched because it is the
first time West Sumatra has won the Miss Indonesia title," she
answered normatively, not forgetting to wear her lovely smile,
when asked how she felt about the honor.

Even her crown-winning answer was normative. Asked who would
be an ideal future leader for Indonesia, Melanie -- known as Imel
to her friends -- answered: "A person who fulfills the
aspirations of the people," without explaining what exactly those
"aspirations" might be.

The 20-year-old said it was her optimism and personality that
won her this year's crown.

"I was only being myself, optimistic and always thinking to
give the best that I can," she said, arguing that beauty is in
the eye of the beholder, and intelligence and a good heart are
more important than physical looks.

"Physical beauty alone has no meaning," she said.

Sugar and spice and everything nice aptly describes this
Jakarta-born West Sumatran girl. Even her competitors at the
Putri Indonesia contest would agree to that, with a competitor
from Jakarta saying that Imel was a favorite among the other
girls because of her nice personality.

Taking the crown from last year's Miss Indonesia, Angelina
Patricia Sondakh, Imel will resume her predecessor's work as
Indonesia's ambassador for culture and tourism, as well as
campaigning against drugs.

Sponsored by jamu (traditional Indonesian medicine)
entrepreneur Mooryati Soedibyo's Putri Indonesia Foundation,
Imel's work will include promoting Indonesian tourism to
international communities.

"I admire very much the work of Miss Indonesia over the years.
I have always wished that I could be like them, and I'm very
fortunate to have that dream come true," the mass communications
major at the London School of Public Relations said.

Imel said the title as Miss Indonesia 2002 was heaven-sent, as
it would open up opportunities for social and community work,
which she has always wanted to be involved with.

"I've always wanted to be a social worker, and I hope my
appointment as Miss Indonesia will enable me to do so," Imel
said, adding that she wants to visit deprived children and help
alleviate some of their suffering with her singing.

This is no mild boast, as the 1.7-meter-tall woman has won
numerous contests with her golden voice, including the Bintang
Radio dan Televisi RRI 2000 and Pop Minang 2001.

Imel also won recognition at the Asia Bagus 2002 regional
singing competition, and a gold medal from the Austria Olympic
Choir in 2000.

"Singing is my life, it cannot be separated from me," she
said, adding that she would not refuse if someday a record
company offered her the chance to make an album.

"But for now, it is my duty to perform my duties for the Putri
Indonesia Foundation. It is the consequence of my being Miss
Indonesia," Imel said responsibly.

One of her first duties was to accompany Miss Universe 2002,
Oxana Federova, on her trip around Indonesia and to campaign
against HIV/AIDS.

Imel was thrilled to be able to meet the most beautiful woman
in the universe, and said there was no problem in communicating
as Federova could speak a little English and there was always her
translator.

"I wasn't intimidated by her because she is such an open
person, she's very kind and smart," she said.

But when Federova visited the Buddhist Borobudur temple near
Yogyakarta, Imel failed to appear, citing fatigue as her reason.

"I'm alright now, just a touch of the sun before," she said,
smiling.

With a hectic schedule facing her, Imel said that she is
trying to keep up her stamina with a daily jog in the morning and
by making good use of the gymnasiums at the hotels where she
stays.

She also said that she regularly drinks jamu to supplement her
daily diet and to help her stay in shape.

"My mother force-fed me jamu as a child, so it has become a
habit to drink it every day," Imel said, explaining that jamu
works from the inside and has no side effects as it is made from
organic herbs.

It is very difficult to strip away Imel's public facade to
uncover the person beneath, but the cover lifted a little when it
was discovered that she had not been home since before her
appointment as Miss Indonesia.

"I wish to go home very much. I miss my home," Imel said
wistfully. The reigning Putri Indonesia is still a girl at heart.