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