Thirty finalists selected for 'Abang' and 'None' contest

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Tourism Office announced yesterday the names of 30 finalists for the Abang dan None Jakarta (Mr. and Miss Jakarta) contest.

The finalists, 15 men and 15 women, were selected from 1,521 entries for the prestigious contest, which has in the past led to careers in showbiz for many of the winners.

Good looks, while important, are not the only criterion.

The finalists were selected after tests on character, general knowledge, communication ability, attitude and appearance were conducted.

This year, the organizers added a psychological test.

"The psychological test was necessary because the winners will become the city's spokespeople and ambassadors," the head of the Jakarta Tourism Office, Fauzi Bowo, said at the news conference that presented the finalists.

One of the finalists was absent because she had chicken pox.

Fauzi said he hoped she would still take part in the finals which would be held at the Jakarta Convention Center next Friday.

The winners must understand Betawi (native Jakartan) culture and be able to promote the city to domestic and foreign tourists, Fauzi said.

Fluency in English is important and a second or third language would be advantageous.

Some of the finalists claimed to speak other foreign languages, such as Chinese, Urdu, French and Japanese.

Some of the hopefuls said they were attracted to the contest because of a chance to enter the world of modeling and entertainment.

Among more famous None from the past are top model Ratih Sanggarwati (1983 winner), photo model and actress Vena Melinda (1992 winner) and Maudi Kusnaria (1993 winner), star in the popular TV series Si Doel Anak Betawi.

"If I win the contest, I want to become a good Betawi cultural ambassador. But I'll also take a chance at modeling or television if offered," said Bekti Indratomo, a 20-year-old finalist from East Jakarta.

But Lucyana Zulkarnain, a finalist from Central Jakarta, believed that not everyone wanted to enter showbiz.

"Many previous winners still work as cultural ambassadors. It's a matter of choice, and luck," said the 21-year-old.

She said she would try her luck in the entertainment world, too, if given the chance. "It's worth a try," she said.

Attending the press conference yesterday was last year's Abang Jakarta, Mochamad Rizki, who now models and has a role in a TV series.

The contest began in 1968 when then governor Ali Sadikin decided that he needed a None to help him in protocol tasks, such as greeting city visitors. In 1971, the city administration decided to find her a partner, Abang.

To fulfill their duties as city envoys and ambassadors, the finalists were given basic training in protocol, tourism, the history and culture of Jakarta, communications, personality and appearance. (07)