Singles, here's your chance: The grand ball on May 11

Singles, here's your chance: The grand ball on May 11

JAKARTA (JP): If you're single, clear your diary on Saturday
May 11 and attend a grand ball strictly for the unmarried. And if
you're a single male, take note that there are likely to be more
females than males at the event.

The Scorpio Foundation (YASCO) is organizing the ball at the
Kartika Chandra hotel to mark its 22nd anniversary.

This event is held specially to allow singles -- including
widows and widowers, divorces and divorcees -- the chance to meet
with their potential "Mr. Right" or "Miss. Right", YASCO chief
executive H.M.S. Hasbie said yesterday.

This is in line with YASCO's raison d'etre which is to help
those who are having difficulties in finding their match for
life, Hasbie said as quoted by Antara.

Haryono Suyono, the State Minister of Population and Chairman
of the National Family Planning Board, has agreed to attend the
party, Hasbie said. The minister however is spoken for.

He will be attending in his capacity as YASCO's "foster
father", Hasbie said, adding that the minister has attended many
of the parties the foundation has held in the past.

The upcoming ball at Kartika Chandra will be the 207th
organized by YASCO in its 22 years of existence.

Hasbie pointed out that YASCO has had a pretty impressive
record when it comes to matchmaking.

"More than 3,000 people have found their matches through us,"
he boasted. He said some of these were widows or widowers.

The failure rate of marriages arranged through YASCO stands at
only four, he added.

Those interested in going to the ball must register with YASCO
at Jl. Kramat Lontar J-167, phone 385-7005. More information has
also been put out on TVRI Teletext on pages 585, 586 and 587.

The foundation boasts 12,712 members consisting of 4,430 men
and 8,282 women. Outside members, there are also 120,163 people
who have written to ask for YASCO's help in finding a life-long
partner.

He said it is understandable that YASCO has more women and
men, given Indonesia's current cultural setting.

"Women tend to have more difficulties in finding a match
because of society's prevailing view that looks down on women who
actively look out for men in public places such as bars," Hasbie
said.

In contrast, society finds it acceptable for men to visit such
establishments, he added. (emb)