Rizqi, Santi crowned Jakarta ambassadors
Rizqi, Santi crowned Jakarta ambassadors
By Edith Hartanto and Emilie Sueur
JAKARTA (JP): She wants to be a lawyer and he wants to be a
businessman. But for the next 12 months, they will have to
postpone their ambitions and serve as ambassadors of Jakarta.
Rizqi Indrawan and Garnasih Aesanti, alias Santi, were crowned
Abang and None Jakarta, or Mr. and Miss Jakarta, at the Jakarta
Convention Center, beating 15 other couples, on Friday night.
Rizqi graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology,
majoring in industrial technology, in April. Santi has completed
her studies at the School of Law in Trisakti, Jakarta, and is
waiting for the graduation ceremony in October.
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja and his wife Sri Soemarsih crowned
the winners in the ceremony, which was attended by 2,000 people.
The idea for the contest began in 1968 when then governor Ali
Sadikin decided he needed someone to help him in protocol tasks
such as greeting guests. An Abang and None have since been
elected each year for the task.
"I am surprised and honored," Santi said with tears and black
mascara running down her cheeks after receiving her tiara.
Besides being interested in law, Santi also teaches English at
the Indonesian American Friendship Association and takes piano
lessons.
Yet, for the next 12 months she has promised to give her all
in representing the capital and the Betawi (native Jakartans).
"I don't want to do it halfheartedly," she said, revealing
that she had been accepted at a leading law firm in Jakarta.
Born in Jakarta on April 30, 1974, Santi lives with her
parents in Cidodol, South Jakarta. She is the fourth of five
children of Garnawan Dharmaputra, a retired diplomat who served
as ambassador in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
Santi said she traveled with her father during his active
diplomatic service. "I'm lucky because I learned so much about
many countries and cultures since I was a baby," she said.
Her family was supportive in her decision to enter the
contest.
She listed tae kwon do, roller blading, swimming, reading and
playing the piano as being among her favorite pastimes. She is an
ardent fan of John Grisham.
Rizqi sees the title as a stepping-stone in his pursuit of a
career in business because in the next 12 months he will have
plenty of opportunities to meet many people.
Rizqi said he would like to travel more, and one of his dreams
is to visit the United States.
But he said he was also ready to play his part in promoting
Jakarta as a tourist destination.
Born in Jakarta on Sept. 2, 1974, he is the second of seven
children of Nelson Tamin, an employee of a private company.
Rizqi admitted that it was his mother who submitted the
application form for him to take part in the contest. "I was
surprised when they (the organizers) called me in July," he said.
Rizqi, a resident of Bintaro in South Jakarta, listed reading
as one of his main hobbies as well as music and tennis. He said
his favorite book was Soeharto's autobiography.
Rizqi and Santi were immediately showered with prizes. And
more are bound to follow, not to mention lucrative job offers,
usually from the show biz world, further down the road.
Besides each being awarded a trophy, they both won a Timor
car, Rp 2 million ($770), a return ticket to Los Angeles, and
evening wear from Indonesian top designer Ramli.
Santi made it clear that she intends to pursue a career in law
after completing her duty as None Jakarta.
"I don't want to pursue a career in show biz or even dream
about becoming a star.
"I really want to become a lawyer. My brother is a lawyer and
he inspired me," she said.
Rizqi, however, is keeping his options open and says that any
offer in show biz would be considered. "But for now, I want to
concentrate on my task (as Abang) for the next 12 months."
Rizqi said he has many girlfriends, but "right now, I'm not
seriously attached to anyone".
When asked about a boyfriend, Santi first resisted the
question, but eventually gave in. "Yes I have a boyfriend and he
is very understanding," she said.