Vol. 1 No. 17 I FEBRUARY 9 -15, 2014
tastebud
Chocolate to Melt Your Heart TREND DIAL
Classy cocktails WANDERLUST
“Shore” Things for Romance
KISSING &TELLING
Atiqah Hasiholan & Rio Dewanto Share Love and Laughs
Check List
Noted in passing
That Four Letter Word The idioms and clichés come fast and furious when we broach the subject of love, especially now that we are in the pink with Valentine’s Day. Is it really all you need, something that means we never have to say we’re sorry or nothing but a secondhand emotion? (I certainly dated myself with those last two references). Personally, I think love comes in many varieties and variations – lust, affection, caring, romance – and one may take precedence over another at different stages in our life. With cupid pointing his chubby fingers in
all directions this week, we are all about the power of love in this week’s edition, from mood boosters of wining and dining to a bunch of gorgeous getaways for lovers of all descriptions. I enjoyed the interviews with Atiqah Hasiholan and Rio Dewanto, who married in August last year, for the cover story. By their own admissions, they are very different people – she straight-talking and inquisitive, he laid back and eager to please – but they have found a happy medium in their relationship. I found it interesting that both of them did not opt for the
conventional definition of love – young lovers like themselves – in choosing the real meaning of the word. From hearing their stories, and from my own observations, I have come to the realization that outsiders can never really know what goes on between two people, and neither is it for us to judge others’ choices of Mr. or Ms. Right. Live and let live and, perhaps, live and let love. Hoping your Sunday is all you want it to be.
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RIDE THIS WAY
Why not give the public transportation system a go? No, really.
Words Hannah Al Rashid
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quicker than taking a car/taxi, especially because of Jakarta’s traffic woes. 3. Affordability: Public transportation is a lot cheaper than driving yourself. For example a taxi trip to the airport from my home in Cipete costs a minimum of Rp 120,000, however, a taxi ride to Blok M combined with taking the airport Damri bus gets me to the airport for a maximum of Rp 50,000! The reactions I get when I tell people about my adventures on the various public transportation are extremely baffling. Mouths drop and people tell me that I am “so brave”. Erm, brave is facing a lion with my bare hands – all I did was get on a bus! “Aren’t you afraid? Isn’t it dirty? Don’t you get groped all the time?” More often than not I chuckle back in response, because I think they’re joking in asking such dumb questions, and then I realize they’re being serious. (Blank face) While the stories of pickpockets and sexual harassment make the news, I believe there is not really a genuine fear of going on the bus. Rather it’s because Jakartans from certain social spheres suffer from chronic gengsi (concern for social standing). If you ask me, Jakarta’s traffic jams aren’t caused by a lack of reliable public transportation, but rather the fact that a lot of Jakartans are just plain snobs. They
Smitten by chocolate dessert? It happens.
Bruce Emond bruce@thejakartapost.com
mark my words
I love taking the bus. I grew up in London, where taking the Tube and buses are an essential part of one’s daily routine; you even get a free newspaper at every tube exit on workdays. The British transportation system is admittedly flawed in various ways, but citizens of the nation would be lost without it. After almost six years in this city, I describe Jakarta’s transportation system as incredible well-organized chaos. I love it. You have an abundance of buses – Kopaja, Metromini, Damri, my personal favorite the Busway – and more. There are also the angkot, those crazy minivans that cram people in like sardines (my angkot of choice is the M44 that goes down Casablanca). Jakarta also has myriad taxi companies, an amazing orange, and now also blue, fleet of bajaj, and then there is my first choice for everyday getting around, the glorious ojek motorcycle taxi. Jakartans are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to public transport, and we should be proud! In all my travels across the world, I have never experienced a capital city that has such a vast and varied network of public transport. When I moved here, I felt it was important to keep up my Londoner ways and go everywhere by public transportation for various reasons. 1. Taking public transportation is a great way to discover a new city. 2. Practicality; a combination of various forms of public transportation works out
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Sweet Seduction
won’t get on the busway or the more traditional forms of transportation because they claim it’s “too hot, too dirty, too smelly, too uncomfortable”. Funnily enough, ask a Londoner to describe the Tube or a bus journey on a summer day and they will probably use those exact same adjectives. Most Jakartans I’ve met who have described it as too hot and dirty, etc., haven’t even been on the Busway let alone a Kopaja. Interestingly enough, these are the same Jakartans who go abroad and Instagram pictures of themselves taking the Tube in London, trams in Amsterdam, the Metro in Paris, the MRT in Singapore and Bangkok’s Skytrain. With the growing support of our effortlessly cool Jokowi and Ahok, and now finally the start of construction on our very own Jakarta MRT system, I wonder how many of these gengsi-ridden Jakartans will actually take it. Its all very well to praise the project and throw your support behind it, but will they fight the fear of dirty-smelly-groping-antics to ease the traffic jams crippling our beloved city and leave their cars at home to join us gengsi-free commoners our public transport adventures? Perhaps they’ll take it at least once, at least for the Instagram photo op.
Fantasy Lands
Choosing some of the nation’s most romantic spots.
JPlus Team Editor Bruce Emond Deputy Editor Willy Wilson Art Director Budhi Hartono Graphic Designer Lody Andrian Marketing & Advertising Sales & Marketing Director Ady P. Pamungkas
ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com
Marketing Executives Dewi Damayani dewi.damayani@thejakartapost.com
Sugeng Andrianto
sugeng.andrianto@thejakartapost.com
@JplusSunday
SundayJplus
JplusSunday
On the Cover Rio Dewanto & Atiqah Hasiholan Photographer Meutia Ananda Stylist Willy Wilson MUA Ryan Ogilvy Wardrobe Rio Adamist www.adamist.com Atiqah Stella Rissa www.stellarissa.com Location Suite Room, Keraton at The Plaza
table of friends
We Want to Know What Love Is What do you think of that crazy little thing called you know what?
@ReneCC
We spend way too much time trying to define love nowadays, especially during this time of the year. Questions such as “what is love?”, “am I in love?” or “how can you tell that this is real love?” seem to be a constant in the media. Yet, I bet many of us remain clueless about what it really means. Obviously you’re not one of them … so please continue reading ;) What do I know about love? Not much. I’ve always thought the foundation of my marriage is not love, but fear. I fear my wife to keep me on the straight and narrow. So far so good :p There is no such a thing as Loveology and I am no Love-ologist but let me share some simple ideas of my own on the subject: Love is what you feel, not what you think or what you think you feel. Love is about all of us, not about me – or even just the two of us. Love is standing up for those who need your support, whether they asked for it or not. Love is giving up the need to be right – and instead creating the need to give love. Love is listening – so much more than just waiting for your turn to speak. … please continue this list and tweet your response to me… Oh, just for the record.. I am married to the most beautiful woman I ever met. And I love her. No, I’m not just saying that to cover myself when she reads this.
@iwetramadhan
It was very easy for me to talk about love three or four years ago ... he he. Now, let me just quote instead definitions of love from a few different perspectives. Love is blind, according to Tiffany. Love is a many splendored think, warbled ol’ blue eyes Frank Sinatra. Love is dangerous, warned the boys from Blink 182. Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing, in the esteemed opinion of Goethe. To me, love is complicated. Love hurts. Love is sacrifice. Love is sweet ... sometimes, Love is that little flame that lights a fire to keep you alive. #Sigh After all is said and done, love is something that makes you smile. Because love is something worth fighting for ... But not now, for me at least.
@edwardsuhadi
I’m a wedding photographer. I eat love and romance for breakfast :) Do I agree with celebrating Valentine’s Day? Yes. Go ahead, go wild, especially if you are in your dating years. Drop to your knees, buy flowers, bake a special cake. Do I celebrate the day now? Not so much. Because after being married and hopefully becoming more mature, romance and all that jazz is like a very important side dish, but not the main course in a relationship. Commitment and sacrifice and honesty – those are the main ingredients on the menu of what young kids these days call “love”. So splurge all you want on flowers and chocolate, but remember, if you want to get serious, if you want the real thing, it takes a lot more than presenting nice gifts to our sweetheart.
@mrshananto
In finance, the topic of love comes in very handy. I’ve seen people suffer financially because they didn’t listen to their loved ones. A grandmother told me that back in 1998 her family assets went bust during the crisis. All they liquidated were investments she had not approved of but her husband went ahead anyway. Lesson No. 1: listen to your wife. I also heard of a fiancé hiding his credit card debt before the wedding date. The mother in law also had a funny feeling about the guy, and it turned out he was really hiding something. Not just the credit card debt and bad spending habits, but also a lover on the side. Lesson No. 2: listen to your mother. Love is important, but in many cases it’s not even real. It’s important to keep everything balanced then! Hey! Who am I to tell you that? I fell in love and married young :)) So go ahead, please, fall in love and go crazy! But keep yourself realistic about your money at all times :))
@zoyamirin
When I think of love, I reflect on the wonderful feelings it brings. I’ve been blessed by being crazy in love, falling out of love, and also felt the soothing comfort of cuddling and just doing nothing together with my loved one. I’ve been pushed away and emotionally abused, been someone’s special someone, dumped, treated like a queen, left broken hearted, engaged, married, divorce and survived dating violence. And through it all I’ve never given up on love. Love is many beautiful things that give us passion, beautiful smiles, compassion, greater enjoyment of our work, caring – you name it. I am not one to give up just because it does not meet my expectations or some jerk ruined it at some point. It’s just like pregnancy – when you feel the feeling, it’s just the way it is. It’s either there, or it’s not. Now, some celebrate it as a special occasion, like Valentine’s. It seems love has been blown out of proportion by profithungry businesspeople, which leads some of us to get cynical about the event. Well, if you don’t need Valentine’s to express love, then just do it every day of your life by making sure everybody you know knows that you love them (if you do want to show it the colorful and expensive commercial way on Feb. 14, go ahead). Some of us may have dealt with love’s ups and downs, but the choice to be better or bitter is up to you. Come on, it’s love after all – where there is love, there is bound to be a special celebration, right? Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, love is in the air. Watch out for that cavorting cupid, because love comes when you least expect it. And I’m a believer.
Join us at the table: send your feedback to @TOFChat and @JPlusSunday JPlus February 9, 2014
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USA
A la Mode
There’s so much more than denim when it comes to practical and utilitarian American fashion. Words Willy Wilson
The Billion Dollar Man
MADE
IN
A
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merican fashion designer Michael Kors has businessmen Silas Chou and Lawrence Stroll to thank for his remarkable financial success. Chou and Stroll – a Hong Kong and Canadian business duo who masterminded the ascent of Tommy Hilfiger in the 1990s – have turned Michael Kors into a fashion giant outside the US, making the 54-year-old designer the latest member of the fashion billionaire club. Bloomberg reported that Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., which went public in December 2011, rose 17.3 percent to close at US$89.91 per share in early February. The former Project Runway judge owns about 2 percent of the company, a stake valued today at US$390 million. He has thus far amassed $700 million by steadily selling stock since his company went public, making his total net worth close to $1.1 billion. His ability to translate top designer trends into mass market-friendly products is said to be the key to his commercial success. He still retains his classic American look with that inimitable sports-luxe aesthetic, but his strategy to build a global brand that capitalizes on the “affordable luxury” segment of retail proves successful in cranking out high-end fashion while broadening his mainstream appeal. Visit any upscale malls in every major Asian cities and you will find Michael Kors handbags were flying off the shelves. And just like the American designer billionaires before him – Ralph Lauren and Tori Burch – Kors diversified his brand into accessories, footwear, watches and jewelry. Lauren, whose personal wealth is pegged at $6.6 billion, is best known for the signature polo tee and strong association with equestrian sports. Meanwhile, socialite-turned-designer Bruch owns a third of her publicly-listed company, for a stake valued at $3.3 billion.
BY THE NUMBERS
1.1
Kors’ estimated personal net worth in billions.
6 35 477 2009
The number of years Kors spent working as the chief designer at Celine, from 1997 to 2003.
Although Kors founded his label in 1981, it was only three decades later in 2006 that the company began to open its own stores. The total number of Michael Kors stores wordlwide, including licensed operations, as of September last year. Michelle Obama wore his black sleeveless dress in her first term official portrait as First Lady.
Michael Kors spring 2014 watch collection and the famous Jet Set tote (left). Photos: AFP and Michael Kors
JPlus February 9, 2014
A la Mode
AMERICAN INGENUITY
T
he very foundation of the American utalitarian aesthetic is actually sportswear. And nope, we aren’t talking about that shiny and stretchable jersey worn by soccer players. In the fashion world, the term sportswear describes separate pieces that demonstrates relaxed approach to fashion while remaining appropriate for various occasions. Blouses, shirts, skits, shorts, leggings – you name it – all have Diane von Furstenberg their roots in sportswear. The American sportswear phenomenon started in 1940s, pioneered by Claire McCardell who set out to create a realistic and attractive wardrobe following the Great Depression. She established a new standard for practical and modern style, influenced by active and well-heeled Connecticut women as well as sports-oriented West Coast ladies. Her pragmatic point of views rationalized womenswear design; giving birth to tying and wrapping while eliminating ornaments and bustier. Hence, the jumpsuit, pants and versatile cocktail dresses. As Richard Martin of The Metropolitan Museum of Art noted, McCardell took a democratic approach to fashion, whereas traditional Paris-based fashion was authoritarian and favored asthetics to practicality. But the American aesthetic only gained its momentum in the late 20th century. Here’s a look at the evolution of American sportswear, decade by decade. Sarah Jessica Parker in vintage Halston.
1970s 1980s The New Romantic Enter Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Anna Sui and Tommy Hilfiger as the defining forces for American sportswear of the era. There is a lot of leather, shoulder pads and stripes, but no compromise when it comes to achieving sartorial perfection. These designers continue to be bigger and stronger in the decades to come.
Designer Tommy Hilfiger
The Disco Era Fabled Studio 54 has an amazing impact on American fashion in the 1970s. A legion of young, wild and creative folks – Halston, Belgian-born Diane von Furstenberg, Perry Ellis, Carolina Herrera, Bill Blass, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta and Geoffrey Beene – lend glamor to established American sportswear with sequins, jersey and rayon. But the silhouette remains simple, clean and practical, staying true to the American sportswear DNA.
Tommy Hilfiger Anna Sui
1990s The Minimalist Minimalism takes a novel turn in the 1990s, with Calvin Calvin Klein Klein setting the trend for clean, well-tailored and unadorned wardrobes. Kate Moss – the epitome of minimal (read: plain) beauty – is his muse. Designers like Marc Jacobs and Isaac Mizrahi embrace Pop Culture, while Tom Ford (appointed to head Gucci in 1994) and Vera Wang infuse European sensibility into their American aesthetics.
Isaac Mizrahi
Vera Wang
2000s Jason Wu
Zac Posen Prabal Gurung
The Millennium The post millennium America embraces diversity, most notably with the arrival of second and third generations of Asian immigrants in the elite group of New York high fashion. Thakoon, Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam and Jason Wu lead are the new faces of American sportswear, championing practicality with just the right amount of chic and glamor. Other noteworthy designers in this era are Zac Posen, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, as well as MaryKate and Ashley Olsen of The Row.
Phillip Lim
JPlus February 9, 2014
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taste BUD
DARkAND
DELICIOUS Words & Photos Theodora Hurustiati
W
hat could be more romantic than preparing a candlelit dinner for your loved one on Valentine’s Day? Even if you’re not an expert cook, I am sure your effort will be much appreciated and will still win him (or her) over. After all, they do say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? Since (almost) everybody loves chocolate, here is this delicious dessert with fondant (melting, in French) center. It may seem difficult but follow my directions carefully and I promise it is pretty quick and simple to make. Let me know if you manage to melt your beloved’s heart with this cake!
Makes 4 individual cakes • • • • • • • •
100 + 30 g dark chocolate with 70% cocoa 60 g unsalted butter + extra for buttering 60 g caster sugar 40 g fine blanched almond meal or plain flour 2 g baking powder About 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 100 g fresh strawberries
• Place butter and 100 grams of chocolate in a heat proof bowl. Place over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom doesn’t touch the water surface. Once they’re melted, whisk until glossy and turn off the heat. • Wait for a few minutes until the mixture slightly cools down before beating the eggs in. Add almond meal (or flour), sugar and baking powder and mix. • Butter 4 soufflé ramekins and lightly coat with cocoa powder. Divide the mixture equally among them. At this point you can decide whether to cook them directly, cover them with cling film and refrigerate for a few days, or freeze them. • Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (fan) or 200°C (traditional) for about 8-9 minutes from fresh. It will take 11-12 minutes if you
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have stored the mixture in the refrigerator and 15-16 minutes from frozen. • Wait for two minutes before flipping them onto a serving plate. You might want to carefully run a knife alongside the ramekins to make sure the
cakes are not stuck. • Meanwhile, melt the remaining 30 grams of chocolate, also over a pan of simmering water. Dip the strawberries into the chocolate and place them on top of the cakes or on the side. Serve warm.
Handy Hints Every oven bakes differently so the cooking time may vary slightly. I suggest test baking one of the cake first to get the perfect timing. You shouldn’t bake it all the way through, the center should still be wobbly when you take it out of the oven. Don’t throw the cake away if you over-bake! It’s still a good fudgy chocolate cake even without the runny center.
Jakarta-born chef Theodora Hurustiati, an 11-year resident of Udine, Italy, was the runner-up in the TV cooking program La Scuola – Cucina di Classe (The School: Classy Cooking) in 2011.
Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
dining OUt
The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
Loving Spoonfuls
Jakarta’s leading hotels give romantic twosomes something to chew on. Words Prasiddha Gustanto
A luxurious US$100,000 Valentine’s Day package is touted as giving you and your significant other the ultimate megaluxurious romantic getaway. Exclusive privileges include a helicopter ride over the city’s skyline, a private butler to attend to your presidential suite and an intimate dinner accompanied by a pianist and string quartet. Far outside the hotel, you can sip cocktails on a personal yacht, indulge with a tan and take a dip in the clear waters of your own private island. Oh, my. For more information on the “Once upon a Valentine” deal, call (021) 25518895.
Hotel Borobudur Jakarta
Pendopo Lounge invites you and your loved one to enjoy its Valentine’s Day dishes, which includes Valentine’s oxtail soup. Guests can enjoy complimentary welcome canapés, band music, a romantically-themed dessert buffet and a gift for the lovely lady. Over at Bogor Café, get a dinner buffet filled with selections such as grilled prawns, slow-cooked US prime rib beef, roasted salmon with fresh herbs, lobster bisque and hand-crafted chocolates – all for guests and lovers both young and old. For more of a bite-sized evening get-together, the Borobudur Gourmet shop will feature heart-shaped varieties of delicious chocolates, as well as cakes and cookies. You can also place an order with a special message. For further information, call Hotel Borobudur Jakarta at (021) 380 5555.
The Park Lane Jakarta
Keraton at The Plaza
The Bengawan restaurant is serving an intimate five-course dinner menu, priced at Rp 1.2 million ++ (US$98) per person. Start the evening with a glass of champagne, followed by seared foie gras or jumbo scallops for appetizers. Enjoy a cheese platter and orange sorbet to cleanse your palate. Indulge in your choice of Wagyu beef tenderloin or pure lobster meat – or the vegetarian menus, if that is your dietary preference. End the night on a sweet note with a gourmet dessert. Dinner is available from 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. For more information, call (021) 50680000.
Grand Hyatt Jakarta
The hotel’s iconic Fountain Lounge will be pouring out love songs, red roses and high tea come Valentine’s. Upstairs at C’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant, chef Christer Foldnes and his culinary team presents a special a la carte menu from Feb. 10-13 for lunch and dinner. Appetizers include chocolate sea salt crostini and carpaccio of beef. Minced beef chili con carne and roasted rack of venison are among the main courses. It will also have a five-course Valentine’s Day dinner set menu priced at Rp 728,000 ++ per person including poached lobster salad, char-grilled Wagyu tenderloin, banana bread and double chocolate ice cream. For more information, call (021) 29921234.
Café One features a romantic candlelight dinner buffet that includes cheese platters, seafood on ice, sushi, sashimi, a Caesar salad bar, roasted Australian prime rib beef, and an assortment of lovely desserts. Stroller Band will perform love-themed tunes to accompany your meal. Ladies also get a rose, all for Rp 275,000 ++ per person. At STIX, chef Deden Gumilar has prepared a three-course delectable set menu with choices of duo lamb with vegetable ratatouille and natural jus or Australian Black Angus beef rib eye with pommes mousseline, spring vegetables and bordelaise sauce. This offer is priced at Rp 525,000 ++ per person and includes a glass of wine and a rose for the lady. To reserve your table contact (021) 8282000 ext. 2113 for Café One and 2117 for STIX.
JPlus February 9, 2014
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T e r m s
o f
Endearment Actors Atiqah Hasiholan and Rio Dewanto find that lasting relationships are a balancing act. Words Bruce Emond Photos Meutia Ananda
Location Suite Room, Keraton at The Plaza
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W
hen it comes to their marriage timeline, Atiqah Hasiholan and Rio Dewanto are still newlyweds, with their six-month wedding anniversary looming later this month. So the amorous sparks would be expected to fly between the two – and they do flare at times during the JPlus photo shoot – but more importantly they seem to be on the same emotional wavelength. That is despite the fact, or perhaps because, they are definitely not two of a kind. Atiqah, daughter of actress-cumactivist Ratna Sarumpaet, has inherited her mother’s passion for social causes, questioning and speaking bluntly. Easy-going Rio, almost six years younger than his wife at age 26, was a one-time teen bad boy and musician from the upscale Menteng neighborhood who has become everybody’s Mr. Nice Guy in the entertainment industry. Call it what you like – opposites attracting, yin meeting yang, the balance of contrasting personalities – but after more than four years together they share the intimate easy silence and unspoken understanding of longtime couples (Atiqah notes that they are both youngest children in their families). In modern speak, they get each other. And they are not into all those loveydovey displays of endearment that will be swamping us on Friday; Atiqah says she has never celebrated Valentine’s Day. Instead of the big fat Indonesian wedding held at a grand hotel, they also chose to tie the knot at the historic location of an abandoned Dutch fort in Thousand Islands. They are into the nitty-gritty of getting to know each other. “You know, this is a normal thing for us,” Atiqah quips as she and Rio clamber into the bathtub at Central Jakarta’s Keraton at The Plaza. “We spend a lot of time in the bathroom, with me listening to Rio telling his stories while on the toilet.” Rio, who has shared a set with his wife in movies including Arisan 2 and Java Heat, says they fully support each other in their careers. He is still looking to land a big budget film, although he already has several lucrative men’s cosmetics endorsements to his name. They also always have each other’s backs, intuitively knowing what the other is thinking. “I know if Atiqah’s not enjoying a situation from her eyes and when her jaw becomes fixed in a certain way,” says Rio, who proposed during a vacation in Hong Kong. Here, the couple discusses the meaning of their relationship, their age difference and what’s love really got to do with everything. First Impressions Atiqah: My first impression wasn’t really anything, except that he is a goodlooking guy. I hadn’t dated for four years, and wasn’t looking for someone, but I decided to give it a go. After a while, we
cover story clicked. There was not one thing about him, but it’s the consistency about who he is that was something I hadn’t found in other men. They would usually start out showing one side of themselves, but eventually it became clear they were only after something. That wasn’t true of him. Rio: A director friend of mine told me that I should get to know Atiqah. I watched her video on YouTube, and I thought she was really beautiful. I asked the director to try to arrange for to act in a movie together. That didn’t happen, but I gave her a call and we went out. We went to a bookstore together, and watched soccer with my friends. I enjoyed talking with her; it was like we were old friends. Just Married Atiqah: People tell you that “things are going to change” when you get married. Luckily, that hasn’t happened yet. I enjoy it; it’s just like when we were dating but we live together, sleep together, everything is official. And maybe it’s because Rio is not the kind of husband who makes a lot of demands. He is very supportive in whatever I do. Rio is still the guy I dated. And so I know he has been himself all this
“I realized age didn’t matter – how you deal with someone that you are dating is really just the same ...” time. Thank God, getting married has made our relationship stronger. Rio: For a young man like me, it’s been a huge step to get married. I just take it as it comes and enjoy it. Of course, now I have more responsibilities in earning money for the family, but I also have someone to take care of things with me. We are partners. What I Like About You Atiqah: He is very patient and doesn’t get emotional in making decisions, which is the complete opposite of me (laughs). And he cares about people. I know that he doesn’t just care for me, but also for my family. I saw that from the very beginning of our relationship until today. I’m an ambitious woman, and I don’t think a lot of men can deal with that. But he can. I also support him, discuss things with him and he is open to accepting my input. Rio: She talks openly about her experiences, and she is honest. She also shows concern for society, and is very critical and hard. I am actually hard, too, but I always try to see the situation from her perspective, too. I think that’s what makes it work. If we had the same ego, then it would be difficult.
Age Matters? Atiqah: For me, it doesn’t matter. OK, maybe he has some childlike traits, but I found that in older men who I’ve known. If you point to an age difference, then it’s really just a way of justifying differences or something else in the relationship. Rio: At the beginning, I wondered if I could go out with her. I had never been out with someone that much older. But after we went out, I realized age didn’t matter – how you deal with someone that you are dating is really just the same, whatever someone’s age is. Meaning of Love Atiqah: I just found out the meaning of love, but not from him! I got pregnant, although I eventually miscarried at about two months. But during that short period, there were feelings that I had never experienced before, the caring for another life. It was a feeling that just came naturally. The miscarriage was hard for Rio, too, he is very fatherly, but we just considered it was not meant to be. Rio: True love for me is between a mother and her child. How she takes care of the child’s needs and will do anything for the child’s welfare and happiness. To me, that is the deepest form of love.
JPlus February 9, 2014
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trend DIAL
Pour MEANOTHER
Italian hangout spot de Luca serves up some class in Jakarta’s buzzing bar scene. Words & Photos NATASHA ISHAK
The bar scene in the capital has long been associated with nights out in the proverbial smoke-filled room. Not only can you not see the person next to you, you cannot talk to them due to pounding house music. But according to bar aficionado Robby Yullyani, who has spent 10 years mixing cocktails for customers, plenty has changed within the bar scene in the last four years. “People used to come to bars solely to get drunk,” Robby, who currently works as supervisor at Italian restaurant and bar de Luca, claims. These days, he says, people are taking a more cultured approach when it comes to alcohol. “Now there is a refined attitude among customers; they want to develop their taste and they want to understand what goes into creating a drink. Bartenders, too, are well-trained in their serving knowledge and technique.” De Luca has been cooking up delectable Italian food since it first opened three years
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ago. Located amid the skyscrapers circling Plaza Senayan, it offers an after-work escape with great food and a warm, inviting setting. Its main attraction, however, is its elegant cocktail bar in its center. The bar offers more than 30 signature cocktails, mostly classics – such as the Mojito or Manhattan – with a contemporary twist. Come here at happy hour – weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. – and you can score a special price on selected items. There are also provides customized concoctions; name your preference and they whip you up a special drink on the spot, so make sure you don’t bat an eye. Stephanie Panggabean, marketing manager of a drilling company located nearby, is one of de Luca’s regulars and vouches their made-toorder practice. “Evie [Karsoho] always recommends me a new one whenever I’m in,” Stephanie says, mentioning the de Luca
co-owner. “And, since she knows what l like, she’s usually not off base. The last drink I tried was their tiramisu cocktail; simply delicious.” To celebrate Valentine’s Day, de Luca has mixed up a few sweet treat-inspired specials that are available exclusively throughout this month. Mark your calendar to try their Chocolate Kiss, a thirst-quenching combo of Singleton and chocolate liquor, topped off with strawberry garnish and a melted chocolate rim that will tempt even the most closeted of chocolate lovers. Also setting the mood is Pink Beauty, a fruity delight of pink grapefruit, beetroot, lemon and vodka that is perfect to enjoy with the beau, or on your lonesome. “There are very few places in Jakarta where I can feel comfortable coming to a bar by myself,” Peter Chandra, another de Luca regular, shares after sampling a drink or two. “The staff is friendly and the people are relaxed, people drink at the bar and make new friends. This is the appeal of de Luca.”
TOAST
TO
wine TIME
ROMANCE Picking the right vintage to put you and your partner in the mood for love.
W
e all know the advance billing for chocolate as an aphrodisiac, but wine should ideally be part of your Valentine’s dinner (don’t mix the two unless you know your wine and your chocolate very well). If you purchase a hotel’s Valentine dinner package, your choices would be limited as it will usually come with a glass of one of the hotel’s house wines. If you are going to have one wine throughout the dinner, pick up a light, fruity, refreshing sparkling wine, preferably champagne, with decent hints of sweetness that would go with all the courses. An unassuming, dry, crisp, light, fruity and enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling are good choices. If a red wine is preferred, go for a classic pairing. Never experiment with unusual, untried food-wine pairings on your Valentine’s. Here are my choices of some of the most memorable wines I have tasted. Bollinger Special Cuvée Non Vintage
Characteristics: discreet and yet complex, deliciously yeasty and simultaneously cleansing the palate Pair it with: any food you like, preferably fish/ white meat Why it is a great romantic wine: if kept well chilled (10-12oC), this champagne consistently opens up its deeper treasure of flavors. Savor them immediately. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc 2000
Characteristics: floral, fresh, chalky, smooth, complex, elegant, clean Pair it with: any food you like, especially delicately-flavored food Why it is a great romantic wine: Purity, equilibrium, liveliness and sophistication are the hallmarks of this bubly. Shouldn’t love be the same? Moreover, isn’t it telling that you have this brilliant 14-years-old champagne on Feb. 14 with your loved one?
Words Arif Suryobuwono Chateau Margaux 2007
Characteristics: elegant smoky notes, solid structure, delicious with toothcoating tannins, fresh acidity and a superb combination of mineral, earthy, wood and dark fruit flavors powerfully tied in a great balance and a spicy nutmeg finish. Pair it with: Chateaubriand Why it is a great romantic wine: Who would have thought a mediocre vintage could produce wine this lovely? Love is a joint endeavor to transform the mediocre into the fabulous, even when things aren’t going so great. Bastianich Calabrone 2007 (or 2009)
Characteristics: smoky, sweet coconut flavor at its core (sweet French oak flavors), hints of cloves, cinnamon, licorice, ripe red fruit flavors Pair it with: roasted vegetable/ caramelized meat Why it is a great romantic wine: impress her with the warmth and charm of this complex, delicious, delectable, soft-tannin, exquisite Italian red with exciting flavors of spices that would also go well with a vegetarian meal. This rhapsody of ripe red fruit with lovely spices reminds us that love, too, needs to be spiced up to prevent it from turning bland. Belissimo Moscato Non Vintage
Characteristics: mindbogglingly sweet, captivating arrangement of fruity, tasty flavors, vibrant acidity Pair it with: spicy, strongly flavored food Why it is a great romantic wine: She never drinks wine before or is not familiar with it and you, being a lover of sweet wine yourself, want to make her aware that wine can be as delectable, sensuous, pleasurable as the love you’ll promise to shower her with.
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wanderlust
LOVE AT
First sight
Ayana Resort Jimbaran
A look at the five of the most romantic beaches in Indonesia. Words & Photos Indra Febriansyah & Raditya Margi
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o some, “romantic” means a secluded, pristine island. To others, it’s a classy beach club spoiling its guests with smooth cocktails and silky sheets. Whatever your definition of a romantic getaway may be, these coastlines in the archipelago will provide a gorgeous setting to start your journey with.
Ungasan Beach, Bali
A winning combination of a secluded beach, gorgeous views and access to classy beach clubs. The beach, located just below high cliffs, is reached by traversing hundreds of stairs. However, if you go from either the Nammos Kandara Beach Club or Semara Finn’s Beach Club then you will have access to their inclinator; it’s quite fancy, so you may be able to impress your companion. Nammos charges each person Rp 250,000, which earns you credit of Rp 100,000 to be spent on food and beverages, while Finn’s Beach Club has a minimum-spending policy of Rp 250,000 per person at their bar. By paying that amount you are eligible to stay at the clubs all day and benefit from facilities such as a sunbed, towels, beach toys for the kids, showers, toilets and kayaks. Nammos offers is a movie screening every Monday night at the beach. To reach Ungasan Beach, head to Uluwatu until Jl. Krukuk Setra Ungasan and keep going south from there.
Ungasan beach, Bali
Kanawa Island, Flores
This little island in Komodo National Park has more to offer than just smooth white sand. Only a few steps from Kanawa’s fine sands lies an incredible variety of underwater life. You don’t have to dive to see a school of barracuda, lion fish, sea turtles, bat fish, napoleon fish or even reef sharks. Simply go for a snorkel in the shallow water and you will find yourself in another world. The corals are – thankfully – healthy and the visibility is amazing. Swim a little further to the other side of the island to find a secluded spot perfect for romance. The only resort on the island is an eco-resort. Electricity is available in the evenings and water between 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and in the mornings. But who needs all of that when you have your loved one and breathtaking beauty to keep you company?
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Catching a flick at Nammos beach
wanderlust
Serene Lombok sands
Jimbaran beach
Jimbaran Beach, Bali
Sunset views and scrumptious seafood in abundance. The Jimbaran coast has several beach areas interrupted by cliffs, instead of being one long stretch of sand like Kuta Beach. With the coast facing the west, Jimbaran boasts a beautiful sunset view. Its most popular spot is the long beach just south of Ngurah Rai airport. Toward the end of the day, this particular spot turns into a place for a romantic dinner by the sea. You will have plenty of seafood restaurants to choose from, and it is advised to check the menu fbefore settling on a place or you could end up complaining about the high price. A seafood platter for two people is available for as low as $18. You won’t be disturbed by loud music here, as the chosen entertainment is classic music performed by acoustic bands. If you can afford a bit of luxury, then the Four Seasons or Ayana are recommended, as they have their own isolated beaches. Jimbaran is located south of the airport.
Pulau Burung, Belitung
Do the beaches featured in The Blue Lagoon or Cast Away embody your idea of a temporary love nest? Try Burung Island then.
The island is blessed with white sand, very calm water and unique rock formations. On a perfect day you will find this beach on par with those in the Maldives. There are also plenty of secluded parts along the coast, thanks to the giant rocks that form the island. The nearest accommodations locatedon Pulau Kepayang, or Pulau Babi (Pig Island) as the locals call it – only 10 minutes away using a local fisherman’s boat. A more upscale option is the Lor In Resort in Tanjung Tinggi Beach.
South Lombok Beaches
Simply go for a snorkel in the shallow water off kanawa and find yourself in another world.
Lombok’s paradise row
Chances are you will fall in love when you set eyes on these beaches. Kuta Beach Lombok, Mawun Beach, Mawie Beach, Selong Belanak, Tanjung Aan, and the one in front of Novotel Beach Resort, all lie on a shared coastline. The grains of sandi n these beaches are larger than average beach sand, but it has stunning scenery, with savanna hills in the background. The small bay of Kuta Beach is perfect for a dip and splash in the water. Mawie Beach’s perfect waves make it popular among surfers but its lovely scenery also makes it a good spot to relax and sunbathe. Tanjung Aan beach, meanwhile, is famous for its picturesque sunsets. First published on jakpost/travel.com
Kanawa Island
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contemporaryCOUPLES
Love Makes
The World
GO R OUN D
It was not true love first time arround for Prince Charles, but he found the woman of his dreams in his dotage.
What is this crazy little thing called “love”? Words Grace Chen/The Star/ANN
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hatever “in love” means, said Prince Charles on the announcement of his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Thirteen years later, the truth came out about the lack of love in the relationship. The couple called it quits in 1992, allowing Charles to carry on with his old flame, Camilla Parker Bowles, whom he describes as “a breath of fresh air”. In Love Story, considered by the American Film Institute as one of the most romantic movies in history, Ryan O’Neal, who plays the character of the grief-stricken widow, would tell his repentant father that love means never having to say you’re sorry However, it is not known if he had ever apologized to Farrah Fawcett when she caught him red-handed with a younger woman in 1997, as revealed by USA Today. O’Neal had blamed his infidelity on Fawcett’s menopause, which he said, caused her to be “mad with him all the time”. O’Neal says he looks forward to the day when he will be
Are We On or Off? Words Niki Cheong/The Star/ANN
Love is in the air but does it matter if it starts in the online or offline world? The debate on online versus “offline” relationships rages on well past Valentine’s Day. Many arguments have been made for both sides. Due to the fact that digital technology is a relatively new phenomenon, the main question that’s almost always asked is if online relationships can work as well as traditional ones. On one hand, there have been many stories of people who have formed successful relationships after meeting online, with some tying the knot. Then there is the flipside — online relationships that
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“reunited” with Fawcett who lost her battle with colorectal cancer in 2009 at age 62. “I know she’s waiting for me,” says the septuagenarian. In the Oxford dictionary, love is defined as “a strong feeling of affection and sexual attraction for someone”. There is also the humorous saying, “Love me, love my dog”, which means that one must accept everything about the person, even their faults. Interestingly, lovers are known to have great tolerance for each other’s imperfections. Eva Braun, the long-time companion of Adolf Hitler, the German dictator whose policies precipitated World War II and the Holocaust, is an example. In her book Albert Speer: His Battle With Truth (Vintage 1995) Gitta Sereny, writes how Speer, Hitler’s architect and armaments minister, would hear his boss exclaiming that he would never marry for worry that it would interfere with his work. All this was said with Braun purportedly seated just next to him! Perhaps Hitler was lucky, in the sense that Braun was very young and none the wiser. What chance would a 17-year-old girl, fresh out of convent school and starting life as a photographer’s assistant, have against a 40-yearold man who would have had first-hand experience when it came to tackling pretty young things? As for what Braun saw in Hitler, you know the drill. Young intern. German dictator. Let’s admit it, power can make a man – Charlie Chaplin moustache and all – extremely attractive. Braun, too, seemed determined to get her man. Among the things she did to get his attention included shooting
herself in the chest and overdosing on sleeping pills. But life with the dictator must not have been much fun. Remember the romance of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, immortalized in a monument so grand that it would continue to inspire 400 years later. As the story goes, Mumtaz died after giving birth to their 13th child while on a campaign trail with her husband to crush a rebellion. The Taj Mahal, according to official detail, was built in accordance with the empress’ last wishes, among which would be for the emperor to remarry. Alas, he would be in no shape to do so. So devastated was he that his hair would turn white in the next few months. One must also keep in mind the great passion of Napoleon and Josephine. His love letters to her, displayed in the online library of the University of San Diego, would certainly come in handy for the Cupid-struck. Here is an excerpt penned by the famous French general:My unique companion! You whom Fate has destined to walk with me the painful path of life! The day on which I no longer possess your heart will be that on which parched Nature will be for me without warmth and without vegetation. Without doubt, this makes a better impression than Leo Sayer’s famous lines, “Wo wo yey yey. I love you more than I can say ...” So, on Valentine’s Day, think of the one who makes your heart go a-flutter. And please, don’t be content to play “secret admirer”. Make sure you make your affections known. After all, for all the inconvenience that comes with it, love is still what makes the world go round.
failed not because the couple lacked compatibility but due to lies and deceit. Detractors describe online relationships as transient and fleeting. Supporters talk about the serendipitous nature of the Internet — it allows people who wouldn’t normally cross paths to meet. Plus, it’s easier to find like-minded people in chat rooms, forums, websites and social networking services. The truth of the matter is that both sides are not wrong, IMHO. There are enough successes and failure stories to support both arguments. This debate, I believe, stems from the idea that our online and offline lives are separate entities and, therefore, one can be better than the other. However, relationships do not operate in isolation — even if you met your partner offline, chances are you will be communicating with him or her via digital technologies. In the same way, relationships that have roots online do not always remain in cyberspace. This is no different than how relationships used to operate. In the “old” days, and by old I mean just 30 to
40 years ago, many people courted through letters or telephone calls. The idea of “dating” and going for dinner and movies together three to four times a week were not a luxury many people had or common practice. This is not that different from sending an e-mail or Whatsapp message, a love letter in the form of a blog post or a tweet of affection. The only difference, of course, is the speed at which we are communicating. Researchers studying digital culture have found that both our online and offline identities are not separate. Academic Michele Willson wrote about how virtual communities can transcend the online interface to make an entry into the physical, offline world, while Eszter Hargittai wrote that “offline identities very much carry over to online behavior”. In this context, the debate on which relationship is better — online or offline — is moot. What really matters are the other variables that can affect relationships and they are not dependent on technology or the absence of it.
cultureVULTURE
Altered States Photographer-cum-artist Agan Harahap presents historic images with a sometimes dark, always quirky twist. Words Hanna Nabila
A
gan Harahap is a history buff but definitely no fan of boring takes on events gone by. “I want to make history more interesting visually and catch people’s eye,” he says. From his career as a photographer for a leading music magazine, Agan has carved out a career in the arts for producing one-of-a-kind images that splice contemporary figures – sometimes cartoon characters, sometimes himself – into historical situations. They range from Batman flying into World War II, founding president Sukarno engaged in a cheerful conversation with Hollywood beauties and Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s to his wry commentary on consumerism. The combining of his talents may hark back to his college days, when Agan edited photos of his friends then, which segued into his photography career. “At that time I didn’t even own a camera and believed that people who were into photography were useless. I considered photographers people who couldn’t draw; relying on gadgets to capture emotions. Of course, I was young and still emotional when I said that,” he says with a laugh. “It is funny how destiny works to turn things around.” He exhibits his works at galleries in Singapore and other places abroad (up next is London), and he has garnered critical praise for his artworks: the Huffington Post dubbed him “Photoshop Extraordinaire” and the Daily Mail headlined an article about his works as Incredible Photos . In the flesh – and not as his photo alter ego – he comes across as a simple guy and free spirit who is looking for a calmer place to live. “I’ve moved to Yogyakarta, the big city style is not for me anymore,” he says of a brief visit to Jakarta. What or who influenced your work? I can’t name names, it would be unfair because there are plenty of things and people who influenced my work. It could be anything, anyone and anywhere.
Do you see yourself more as a photographer or an artist? It’s a quite a difficult question for me to answer (pauses). I don’t know, can I just say I’m free styling? (laughs). All I know is the technique and media I use is photography, but the thinking and concept behind it make me an artist. What are the ideas behind chosen themes? It’s all random (laughs). Basically I have a huge interest in history. I made case studies and came to the conclusion that history is not really a popular subject for the younger generation so I thought of ways to make it more interesting. I also love animals, and that is why some of my artworks are related to them. My first solo exhibition was entitled Safari showing how animals invade the lives of humans, in a Jumanji sort of way. As time goes by, the themes become more concentrated, and that is why I made the exhibition Garden Fresh which represents consumerism. What kind of message were you trying to send with the latter? It’s a fable, but also my own experience when I was a little boy. My mom asked me to go to the supermarket and she warned me to get the items she asked for. But I didn’t; I was distracted by the things I liked and ended up buying them instead. Now, I’m an adult, self-control when it comes to spending money is still an issue. The random animals found in my works symbolize distractions presented by the consumerist culture in today’s society. What are you working on now? I’m preparing exhibitions in London which will be held at several venues, and I am also in the process of writing a book. I would also like to do a solo exhibition this year, the artworks are almost done but I still don’t know where they will be exhibited. What are your future hopes? I can’t state where the future will take me but I definitely will continue to create artworks. I have targets but nothing is fixed.
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20/ 20
‘I’ve never had
a fashion faux pas’ Entertainer Ivan Gunawan is known for his camp humor and cutting asides. The 32-year-old, who first got noticed in the 2002 comedy movie 5 Sehat 4 Sempurna, is currently one of the hosts on Eat Bulaga! Indonesia, an adaptation of the Philippine variety TV show of the same name, and the morning music program Inbox. He started out as assistant designer to his uncle Adjie My best physical feature … My eyes. And worst … My body. My hidden talent … I like to cook. Oh, and I also like doing make up. I always carry with me … Wallet, lip gloss, cell phone, charger and perfume. My greatest fear … Sleeping alone. If I wasn’t an entertainer, I would be … A chef. The best thing about being a celebrity … Getting access to pretty much everything.
Notonegoro but he is now a fashion designer in his own right. Ivan, whose childhood was spent abroad with his parents in the diplomatic corps, names Bangkok as one of the cities where he finds design inspiration. This year, Ivan vows to work harder. His goals include trimming down once and for all after several years of yo-yo dieting, and for his creations to be worn by international artists.
And worst … I get tired of the picture taking.
My biggest fashion mistake … I’ve never had a fashion faux pas. It’s usually sizing that I have trouble with, so I often make my own outfits.
Love or money … Money – if you have money, it’s easier to find love.
I would love to design for … Kate Middleton. Locally? Anyone who is fond of my creations and has money!
Beauty or brains … Brains, of course!
The love of my life … Hmm … probably my parents.
Favorite holiday destination … New York City. I think the best time to go is during winter.
I would never … Do something that I don’t understand – I’m not one to try new things very often.
If I could change one thing about myself … I would want to do more sports and to stop eating at night.
My life motto … Learning by doing.
Everything’s easy.
Words & Illustration Felicita Goentoro
talk of the town MARCO PADANG GRILL OPENING AT LOTTE SHOPPING AVENUE PT Marco Culinary Concepts, a subsidiary of PT Arya Noble, owner of Erha skin treatment centers, dedicated on Jan. 29 the MARCO Padang Grill restaurant at Lotte Shopping Avenue, Kuningan, South Jakarta . The restaurant, with its first branch located at Setiabudi One, Kuningan, serves Padang food cooked using traditional ingredients in a modern, elegant way. Menu highlights include Nasi Sayo (Rice with Vegetables), grilled fish and other staples of West Sumatran cuisine.
JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS ASSOCIATION ELECTION The Jakarta International Hotels Association (JIHA) recently held its elections for leadership positions. Le Meridien Hotel Jakarta general manager Robert Hogenstijn was appointed the organization’s chairman, and Sari Pan Pacific Hotel Jakarta general manager Thomas Mayrhofer became its deputy chairman. Four Seasons hotel general manager Vikram Reddy retains his position as the organization’s treasurer. The election was held during JIHA’s annual meeting at the Hotel Borobudur Jakarta on Jan. 22.
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Amelia Handoko, Chef Marco, Ita Handoko & Trees Handoko
Article from jakpost/travel.com