Vol. 1 No. 13 I january 12-18, 2014
Wanderlust
The Hot Spot Destinations Parenting
Spoiling ‘Em Rotten Well Being
A Failing Grade for Fitness
N E E QU edy
of
m o c
hs g u a l r o it f s y a l p o ard c i R y ne Mela
JPlus December 1, 2013
Noted in passing
mark my words
Good for a Laugh
It’s Complicated
Got something to smile about this week? Or even something had you doubled over with a fit of the giggles? For me personally, I find our shared humanity amusing, especially those little fibs we tell ourselves to gloss over harsher realities (me, myself and I included in all manner of things). Live TV comedy shows with ensemble casts have ‘em rolling in the aisles right now, even though the slapstick and coarse barbs are not to everybody’s taste. Cover subject Melaney Ricardo is in the thick of things in flitting among the popular shows, but I think you will find she has brains as well as her banter. We also look at the “back to the ‘70s” trend in fashion – padded jackets, plunging necklines, all very Saturday Night Fever-ish – in our fashion section, and see what will be the big destinations for travelers this year. There is also rather worrisome news about the state of Indonesians’ health, and our circle of friends on the opposite page brace themselves for now traumatic experience of visiting Sukarno-Hatta International Airport. The then new facility was certainly something to write home about when I arrived here on a steamy evening in August 1985, but it has sadly failed to keep up with the times. Hope you get a laugh this weekend. Whatever it is that tickles your funny bone, just be sure to not take things too seriously, or else the joke may be on you.
Bruce Emond
@JplusSunday
JplusSunday
SundayJplus
Check List
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Daddy’s Boy
Don’t go overboard by spoiling the little ones.
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Ready, Set, Go
Picks of happening travel spots in 2014.
ON THE COVER Melaney Ricardo | Photographer Kevin Aulia | MUA Tania Ledezma | Stylist Willy Wilson Location The Park Lane jakarta (www.theparklanejakarta.com)
JPlus Team Editor Bruce Emond I bruce@thejakartapost.com Deputy Editor Willy Wilson Art Director Budhi Hartono Graphic Designer Lody Andrian Marketing & Advertising Sales & Marketing Director Ady P. Pamungkas I ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com Marketing Executives Dewi Damayani I dewi.damayani@thejakartapost.com Sugeng Andrianto I sugeng.andrianto@thejakartapost.com
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JPlus January 12, 2014
Appearances really can be deceptive among Jakarta’s demi-monde. Words James Edward de Rave
I love Jakarta dearly, but I must admit that the city is an acquired taste. It is a dynamic melting pot – a rollercoaster ride on full swing – and I have fallen prey to the addictive nature of its ceaseless, chaotic energy. And then there are the people. Often over-achievers who firmly believe they are destined for bigger things in life, people who choose to live in big cities have many nice-looking outer layers which function as attractive window dressing to distract attention from the real essence of the person. They dress up. They groom themselves well. They even smell fantastic, but it’s all a sexy cover-up! The winning outward appearances are designed to mask a darker, less attractive nature and usually succeed in throwing people off the scent. Again and again I meet eloquent, clever people leading seemingly perfect, happy lives, but in reality, they are true “masters of disguise”, sometimes even managing to fool themselves. In many cases there is a deep, deep sadness carefully buried under years of social conditioning. Many of these people were bored and hungry for a more fabulous life from their small towns or families, and as such will quickly outgrow or be kicked out of the situations into which they were born. They went in search of new inspirations and for something that feels more real and satisfying. Take a closer look at the individuals who are part of your environment. Most people are born with a very simple perception of themselves and those around them, and will pretty much believe and adjust to whatever has been spoon-fed to them during their formative years. And then there are others, who from a very early age are simply destined for a different life and a fresh perspective, these same people who are often drawn to the bright lights and freedom to be themselves in the big city. They are born with a very strong sense of self and are not attracted to the collective reality of those hovering around them since birth. They have their own minds, distinct characters and way of doing things, which sets them apart, but this can make life complicated from an early age. Often labeled as rebellious, strange or hard to handle, they frequently live their early years as outcasts and spend a great deal of energy as they perpetually swim
upstream against the current. But emotional imbalance or a subtle disturbance in a person’s psyche associated with a troubled background can sometimes trigger odd emotions and behavior. A person with a seemingly “normal” life – someone who seems to “have it all” – can, in fact, secretly harbor feelings of low self-esteem and the belief that they are not worthy of being loved. It can lead to hedonistic, negligent and sometimes self-destructive behavior, whether it is emotional instability or addictions, from drugs to work. These are the beautifully complicated people of Jakarta. Don’t waste time judging anyone; just try harder to understand them! City living is glamorous and exciting, for sure, but it is also fully loaded with temptations that can easily lead a person down the wrong path. The trick to surviving and to achieving a level of true happiness is simple. We need to take everything in moderation and to bring greater balance into our often out-ofbalance lifestyles. Learn how to be calm and quiet. Learn how to listen. Learn how to appreciate even the smallest kindnesses we encounter. And always remember that beautiful things do not ask for attention.
table of friends
A Better Airport
What would you do to spruce up Soekarno-Hatta International Airport? @zoyaamirin
I do my yearly pilgrimage to the States via the LAX airport. And whenever I set foot in this crowded, cold and inconvenient Los Angeles airport, Soekarno-Hatta suddenly doesn’t sound like a bad place. For a start, I love Soekarno-Hatta’s design. But there are looming problems that desperately need to be solved. First, as Ligwina points out, is the traffic. It’s bad enough that we have to brave Jakarta’s unforgiving traffic jam to the airport (oh don’t be fooled by the seemingly smooth traffic on the highway – the bottleneck is around the terminal gate, dear). Second, the flooding. Along with millions of Jakartans, I do hope the current governor could solve this problem. Third, efficiency. Isn’t it time for the airport management to find make everything faster, better and smarter? I do hope, as Rene says, the new airport isn’t going to disappoint. I also hope, as Iwet says, that the new airport still retains Indonesian spirits in its architecture.
@iwetramadhan
You know what ... I actually do love Soekarno-Hatta airport. I’m sorry Rene, but I happen to be fond of what has been described as inefficient, old and ugly airport. Despite the air traffic problems – which, I agree, need to be fixed – I admire its grand architecture. Designed by Paul Andreu (who also designed Charles de Gaulle and Pudong International Airport), Soekarno-Hatta boasts an amazing architectural landscape that really represents Indonesian identity. Look at the garden, the ornaments and even the color of the floor! If you’ve been to JFK, where you have to pay for the dirty trolley while dealing with unfriendly people, to Narita and Dubai airports, where the concrete and glass structure show no character, then you will appreciate our very own airport. Sure there is room for improvement, especially where the service and efficiency are concerned (we are far behind Changi and Incheon). In the meantime, leverage on your platinum frequent flyers so you don’t have to queue to check in
@mrshananto
A journey from the city center to SoekarnoHatta airport is always unpredictable. On a good day it takes you about an hour; some other days three hours. If you, like me, are uncomfortable at the sight of an unruly crowd, then Soekarno-Hatta can be dreadful. Overcapacity doesn’t even begin to describe this airport. While I could go on and on with my complaints, I will give credit to the rather efficient ground staff. But there is definitely something that needs to be done as far as air traffic and infrastructure are concerned. I was on a bus, going to the plane from the boarding lounge, when I overheard the bus driver remark to his colleague that there were 20 airplanes on the runway at that time. What? WHAT? Upon reaching the plane, I immediately fell asleep. I woke up 30 minutes later only to find we were still on the ground. The ladies sitting next to me informed me that we had yet to take off because of overcrowded air traffic, which was soon confirmed by the pilot. You simply can’t avoid traffic problems in Jakarta, can you?
@ReneCC
What’s wrong with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport? The question does not seem right and inefficient because it would need a whole lot more space to fill in the words. I’d say it would take the whole JPlus for the entire year’s edition! Perhaps I love hating the airport of my hometown but hey, I am sure you’d get similar responses if you ask your fellow Jakartans, or even foreigners. Let’s forget about the look, the feel and the design. Let’s also forget about security, cleanliness and orderliness. Going to the airport is a challenge. Getting proper food that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg is nearly impossible. Taking off without having to wait for at least 30-40 minutes is almost unheard of. And the worst part is that this chaos has been going on for many years without any clear indication that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. (It’s like being a Jakarta citizen pre-Jokowi). Nobody or no institution seems to be in charge – or wants to take charge. Yes, there’s a plan for a new airport – I am crossing my fingers that it will happen in my lifetime.
@edwardsuhadi
[While we know frequent flier Edward definitely has an opinion or two about the airport, and we would love to hear them, unfortunately he must have missed his flight this week. He will return with his trademark flights of fancy next Sunday with the rest of the friends. ]
Join us at the table: send your feedback to @TOFChat and @JPlusSunday JPlus January 12, 2014
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A la mode
OVER TOP THE
A brilliant screen display of ‘70s fashion gurantees the comeback of retro glamor. Words Willy Wilson & Sandy Cohen/AP
FASHION SCENES
O
ne of the most talked-about movies today is American Hustle, a dark comedy set in New York and New Jersey in 1978 that chronicles the adventure of a pair of con artists (Bale and Adams). When a cocky FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) captures them, he forces them to work with him to bring down powerbrokers and politicians. This decadent world of power, crime and big money comes to life through ostentatious fashions and outrageous hairdos, and all credit goes to costume designer Michael Wilkinson. “They had ideas, they lived large and they took risks,” Wilkinson said of the ‘70s styles that inspired his designs. “Clothes were less structured, had less underpinnings — it was like people didn’t give a damn.”
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JPlus January 12, 2014
From Christian Bale’s burgundy blazer to Amy Adams’ plunging sequin halter dress, American Hustle is a cinematic romp through the styles of the 1970s.
Wilkinson scoured old Cosmopolitan magazine, along with advertisements, movies and TV shows of the era. Goodfellas and Atlantic City were particularly influential films. “And ‘Saturday Night Fever’ from 1977,” Wilkinson added. “(That) had the most pertinence to Bradley Cooper’s character. He’s a guy from the Bronx, and he lived life as a black-and-white moral shooter working for the FBI, and wears a cheap polyester suit that doesn’t fit him so well.” The character ups his fashion game after meeting the dapper con-couple. “He ends up in a silk shirt and silk scarf, which are pop-culture references,” Wilkinson said. “And then he wears a leather jacket to the FBI.” The designer relished in Halston’s vintage vault, to which he was granted access for the film, and he dressed
Adams in authentic pieces from the ‘70s. “The lines (of clothing silhouettes) of the late ‘70s, with designers like Halston, were reinventing the wardrobe of women,” he said. “It was about being comfortable in your skin and walking tall.” Hair is another key element in the movie. Jeremy Renner, who plays a New Jersey politician, has a fluffy bouffant. Jennifer Lawrence, an unhappy wife in the film, wears bouncy, sex-kitten updos whether she’s going out or not. And Cooper rocks a tight perm: He’s shown wearing curling rods in one scene. “I’m really proud of Christian Bale,” Wilkinson said. “It shows the possibility of an expression of personality in menswear. He explores his character in his clothes and he’s a man of the world. He mixes prints!”
A la mode
Canali Spring / Summer 2014
DAPPER DANDIES
T
he key elements to getting that ‘70s look are exaggerated lapels, slim-fit silk shirts and equally shiny silk scarf, so take your cues from Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) and Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner. Don a fitted leather jacket, too, if you’re in good shape to wear one. Our favorite? The matching Azure suit and pants worn by Renner. It is a very stylish, albeit wearable, number. Canali Spring / Summer 2014 collections has a more sobering version of this look, in a similar color and in blue-black-white stripes. Meanwhile, Cooper’s shiny shirts in the film echo the eccentric Etro Spring / Summer 2014 collections, which showcases intricate floral prints in vibrant colors on silk. But if you’re not so much into bright colors and prints, a more conventional approach to the 70s fashion could come in the form of stylish two-button suits with exaggerated lapels, as worn by Bale’s character. Opt for safe colors like black and navy, or a brown one with plaid pattern. And don’t forget your aviator. Check out the Spring / Summer collections from Michael Kors and Versace for inspirations.
Canali Spring / Summer 2014 Feeling Blue: Jeremy Renner as Carmine Polito
Etro Spring / Summer 2014
HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?
R
ising star Pevita Pearce caused quite a stir when she sported a body-hugging black dress with a transparent neckline to December’s premiere of her movie Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck (The Sinking of the van der Wijck). There’s nothing particularly vulgar about the dress (think Cara Delevigne’s Burberry dress at 2013 Cannes Film Festival), but perhaps it is the way she puts everything together that caused the media kerfuffle. To be fair, it is never easy to pull off a dress – no matter classy – with such a plunging neckline. Just ask J-Lo, whose green silkchiffon Versace dress (a citrine-studded crotch, mind you) worn to the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 raised more than a few eyebrows. But Amy Adams totally owns those torso-bearing dresses in American Hustle. Let’s just say that even Cher wasn’t as fabulous as Adams wearing those sexy numbers. The key to looking classy with such a revealing outfit lies on the hairdo, according to the film’s lead hairstylist Kathrine Gordon. Pearce and J-Lo made the mistake of pulling their hair back, leaving nothing to the imagination out front. Whereas Adams lets hair down – thick, bouncy and wavy – lending a sense of elusiveness to what could so easily have been an in-your-face fashion statement. To make Adams looks more fabulous than trashy, Gordon, ironically, studied old issues of Playboy magazines and their cheesecake photo spreads. Adams’ style in the movie is reminiscent of dance-the-night-away disco parties, Studio 54 and the “Breck girl” ads of the era.
Pevita Pearce Risque Wardrobe: Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser
JPlus January 12, 2014
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DINING
SPORE de
FORCE Despite less than glamorous origins, the truffle is a real diamond in the rough.
Words Kindra Cooper
There is no way of putting it delicately: the truffle is a parasitic spore that leeches sap from the tree roots on which it grows. But two species of these subterranean mushrooms – the black and white truffles – are a gourmet delicacy. Dubbed “diamonds of the kitchen”, white winter truffles from Alba, Italy, can fetch US$6,000-$10,000 per pound. Efforts to artificially cultivate the white truffle have been fruitless, with scientists failing to determine the exact soil and climate conditions they require. Hence, they are as miraculous a find as the four-leaf clover, given that they spawn exclusively throughout October and November each year. Professional truffle foragers enlist trained truffle dogs – replacing sows, which scarf the prize upon locating it – to sniff them out.
Photos courtesy of GAIA by OSO Ristorante
The piquancy and costliness of white truffles mean that no more than potato peel-thin shavings are used to garnish veal, chicken, fish, soufflé and pasta dishes. Uptake of their rich flavor – a convergence of garlic, musk oil and horseradish – confers an aromatic symphony no seasoning can replicate. But it’s a “punch in the face” that diners are seeking, believes Italian chef-cum-restaurateur Diego Chiarini. “Food in general is losing its delicacy. And because of the [strong taste] of the truffle everybody in the world wants it.” Chiarini, business partner of Singapore-based OSO Ristorante and former chef at acclaimed Bice, Four Seasons Tokyo, has worked with these unsightly gems for years and recently presented a five-course white truffle dinner at GAIA by OSO Ristorante on the 46th floor of The Plaza office tower. Cooking with truffles, says Chiarini, mandates ingredients that yield in deference to the pungent fungi. The starter was hence an apt initiation: thin slices of cold kingfish marinated in white truffle and prettified with gold dust. It was difficult to determine whether the dish’s smoky taste derived from
Morning
Poached Egg • Fill half of a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil, then add vinegar and salt. • Break the eggs into 4 separate cups or ramekins. • Stir the boiling water vigorously with a whisk until you have a whirlpool, then immediately slide in the egg into its center. • Turn the heat down low and cook for 2-3 minutes; yolk must still be soft in the center. • Carefully remove the egg from the water with slotted spoon, be gentle not to break the egg. Repeat steps with other eggs.
Delight
Your how-tos for the perfect breakfast. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s why Monolog Coffee and Co. welcomes customers as early as 7 a.m. to start the day right. Monolog’s extensive breakfast selection – from pancakes to sausage and bacon – makes the café-diner the “it” place to go for an early start or even a late night munch, serving breakfast all-day at both Plaza Senayan and Pondok Indah’s Street Gallery. Or, if you have a moment to spare, whip up your own with this simple recipe from Monolog’s signature dish, which puts a whimsical spin on your classic Eggs Benedict.
SERVING • Toast english muffins until slightly brown, spread with softened butter and top each with a slice of smoked salmon, followed by one poached egg. • Place two muffins on each plate and drizzle with hollandaise sauce; garnish the top with dill and capers on the side.
Handy Hints
EGG NORWEGIAN 4 servings Cooking time: 30 minutes
Hollandaise Sauce • 3 egg yolks • 125 g butter • Pinch of salt • 10 ml white wine vinegar • 10 ml lemon juice
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Main Ingredients • 4 English muffins • 8 slices smoked salmon • 8 eggs • 4 teaspoon white vinegar or rice vinegar • Pinch of salt • Butter for English muffin • Capers and dill for garnish
JPlus January 12, 2014
the fish or the white truffle shavings; but either way, the complement deserved a thumbs-up. Next was a giant ravioli stuffed with an egg cooked sunny side-up, whose near runniness only rendered the moderate ricotta cheese stuffing and black truffle sauce richer yet. The leaf-like coarseness of the black truffle, a departure from the rubbery texture of terrestrial mushrooms, gave the dish a subtle crunch. The following pan-fried scallops with white radish accorded a garlicky kick with white truffle slices was recourse to something light before Chiarini rolled out the night’s chef d’oeuvre. The 4-hour roasted wagyu 9+ beef intercostal (a muscle located between the ribs) juxtaposed the nutty taste of the black truffle – redolent of the skin of an almond – with bitter coffee grounds on meat so tender and succulent it would have done the dish injustice not to deliberate over every bite. Chiarini has always relished the rare combination of white truffle with parfait and vanilla ice cream. “Generally, it’s only the two. Black truffle I can do with the chocolate, it’s very good. But I cannot be too adventurous, otherwise I destroy the taste of the truffle.”
• HOW TO Hollandaise Sauce • Melt the butter on low heat and cool to room temperature. • Whisk egg yolk on bain-marie (double boiler) until egg lightens in color. • Slowly pour in the melted butter into the egg yolk while still whisking. • Add in salt, lemon juice and white wine vinegar; whisk untill all is blended. • Set sauce aside to cool, or refrigerate if not used right away.
•
Poaching an egg is a tough business, even for the most skilled of cooks, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t succeed on your first try, keep practicing! Make sure the eggs used for the dish are fresh to get the best results. The salmon and English muffins can also be substituted with bacon, ham or poached spinach and grilled tomatoes. The most important tip for this recipe: experiment and have fun!
CRUNCH T IME
taste BUD
Words & Photos Theodora Hurustiati
W
ant something a bit different for your mid-morning coffee break? Cantucci or cantuccini – literally small cantucci – comes from the Tuscan city of Prato, hence its colloquial name of “biscotti di Prato”. Biscotti in Italian means “twice-cooked” since the biscuits were originally made by baking the dough twice; first in loaves, then cut into thin slices while still hot, and baked once more to crisp them. The word comes from the Latin “bis” (twice) and “coctus” (to cook). They are normally eaten at the end of a meal. Being quite dry, you need something to dip them into, and they are usually served in Italy with a sweet wine called Vin Santo, the holy wine. Honestly, I prefer to eat them with hot tea or milk. •
1 large egg (about 70 g) • 1 large egg yolk (about 15 g) • 100 g caster sugar • A pinch of salt • 250 to 270 g flour + extra for dusting • ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking powder • Zest of half an orange, finely grated • 100 g of whole unpeeled almonds (Makes 400 grams of biscuits)
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Preheat a fan oven to 175°C (185°C conventional) Beat the eggs, sugar and salt with an electric whisk until they’re light, pale, thick and the volume has tripled. Add the orange zest to the egg mixture. Remember not to press to hard when you grate citrus fruit for zest. You don’t want to take the pith, the white part of the peel, as it’s quite bitter. Sift the flour, along with the baking powder, and mix into the batter in two or three batches using a rubber spatula. Stop adding flour when the dough no longer sticks to your hand. The amount of flour needed varies since you’ll likely to have different sizes of eggs. Bigger ones make damper batter, so you need more flour to absorb the moisture. The weather will also influence slightly; on rainy and humid days you tend to need more flour when you bake bread or biscuits.
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Sprinkle some water over the almonds using your fingers, just enough to wet the skin lightly; this will help them stick into the dough. Mix well to distribute them evenly. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and dust lightly with flour. Divide the biscuit dough in two equal size balls. Shape them into rolls about 25 cm long and gently flatten. Keep them apart from another to give room to expand. Bake for about 15 minutes until they’re golden and risen. Take them out and transfer quickly onto a cutting board. Using a really sharp knife, cut diagonally into a 1,5-centimeter-thick slices while they’re still hot and soft. Lay them back on the baking tray on the cut sides, and bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool and keep in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
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.
JPlus January 12, 2014
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persoNALITY
FUNNY LADY
Behind Melaney Ricardo’s wacky facade is a brainy woman with a good head on her shoulders. Words WILLy wilson Photos KEVIN AULIA
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JPlus January 12, 2014
persoNALITY
T
he reigning queen of prime-time television is neither a gorgeous soap opera actress (with or without dubious acting ability) nor a sexy dangdut singer (with a signature erotic dance). Instead, it is a hilarious presenter with a law degree from Trisakti University. Formerly a radio announcer (remember Hardrock FM’s Drive and Jive and Good Morning Hard Rockers?), Melaney Ricardo has established herself as one of the nation’s top entertainers, with a full backto-back schedule of commitments. But her way to the top hasn’t been easy. For years, she faced rejection from television executives – she doesn’t meet the industry’s model-size figure, neither the sweet nor seductively sensual requirements to be a star. But Melaney, 32, is persistent – “that’s the Batak in me,” she says – and over the years scored a few minor but notable television jobs, most memorably her five-minute segment in the Indonesian Super League. She paid her dues, and it paid off in 2013 when ANTV entrusted her with an evening chat show appropriately called Mel’s Update. “The program was short-lived, but it was a big stepping stone for me. It was after Mel’s Update that things really took off,” she notes. Mel’s Update would later be repackaged as a 90-minute variety show called New Campur Campur, co-hosted by Olga Syahputra, Chand Kelvin, Edric Tjandra, Vincent, Jessica Iskandar and Tyson Lynch, Melaney’s husband and father of her infant daughter, Chloe. Despite the gaggle of funny hosts, Melaney stands out. She, like the boys, doesn’t have any qualms about doing wacky sketches – throwing cakes or flour on each other’s faces, poking fun at her camp, effeminate partner-incrime Olga, and even semi-seriously telling the audience that she was born a man. While some say she is dumbing down for mass audiences, others argue that her ability to roll with the slapstick and low-brow comedic punches shows her
“ I realized there’s a possibility what is said may not set a good example for younger viewers, but the truth of the matter is that our society has a rather wicked sense of humor.”
versatility as an entertainer. In an intimate interview with JPlus, she opens up about money, family and good conscience. When did you realize that you could make a living by making people laugh? I was a girl who makes people laugh in high school. I never thought I could build a career based on this ability, but I have always known that I can talk. I became a radio announcer in the early 2000, and it felt like a natural fit. I would always come up with punch lines that crack people up. A fellow broadcaster turned TV host Adi Nugroho said that I have quite a talent as a comedian. Many radio announcers have made it big on TV. Was the transition hard for you? It was a little harder because I didn’t fit into the stereotype of a female entertainer. But I suppose being funny helped. I’m very prepared when it comes to my jokes; I would write them down on a notebook and keep them in an archieve. Do you consider yourself successful? Yes and no. I don’t want to be complacent. I still have dreams that I’m chasing. Having a prime time show five nights a week sounds like a major sucess for an entertainer. True. But it isn’t without hard work. I have come into conclusion that my “success” – as you put it – comes down to prepartion. One can only improvise so much on stage. I would say that 80 percent of my punch lines are studied. I admire comedians like Olga Syahputra and Komeng for their ability to think on their feet. Some argue the humor on television these days crosses the line – verbally and physically. What are your thoughts? It is a bit hard to talk about that because of the complexity of the issue. But I met with the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission a while back to discuss what should be the limits of the jokes performed on television. I realized that there’s a possibility that what is said on the show may not set a good example for younger viewers, but the truth of the matter is that our society has a rather wicked sense of humor; Most of us laugh when we see people trip, which explains the popularity of slapstick comedy here. So where do you draw the line? I wouldn’t make fun of disabled people – I won’t go there. I also try to be very cautious when the butt of the jokes aren’t fellow comedians. Frankly speaking I have a growing concern about what I say or do these days, after hearing my daughter, who is barely two years old, said “bencong” when she saw an effeminate guy on TV. It actually worries me. That said, I realize that changing a status quo is hard, but I sincerely want to make those changes in the future. What do you consider the most important thing? I have come to a point in my life where family
is everything. Surrounding myself with the right people is also important. I don’t want to drive the fanciest car and living in the grandest house without inner peace. How are you enjoying motherhood? It’s such a blessing to be a mother, but it comes with a big, big responsibility. I used to be a smoker and a little bit of a party girl. But having a child put things in perspective and a sense of purpose. First thing that comes to mine at mention of money? It’s not everything in life. And Tyson Lynch? The love of my life. When do you feel the most beautiful? When I own the stage and I know I do a great job.
JPlus January 12, 2014
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wanderlust
ON
T HE
HORIZON A glance at travel destinations set to make news in 2014. Words Beth J. Harpaz/AP
Photos: AP
T 10
he Olympics, the World Cup and commemorations of World War I, D-Day and the fall of the Berlin Wall are some of the events that will spotlight destinations like Sochi, Brazil, Sarajevo, Normandy and Berlin in 2014. Elsewhere abroad, a potentially game-changing highspeed rail service has just launched linking Paris and Barcelona. Some travelers may now prefer the train over a plane, with the train ride cut in half to just over six hours between the two cities. Back in the US, St. Louis marks the 250th anniversary of its Feb. 15, 1764 founding with celebrations in February including a reenactment, parties and a music festival. Other events are planned throughout the year. Harry Potter fans will have a new reason to visit Florida next summer when the Universal Orlando theme park opens a new area with attractions inspired by the books’ fictional scenes in Diagon Alley and London. A train called the Hogwarts Express will take visitors back and forth between the new Potter attractions including a
JPlus January 12, 2014
Manaus, Brazil
restaurant called the Leaky Cauldron and Universal’s existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal also plans an 1,800room 1960s-themed resort and eight new restaurants at the CityWalk dining area for 2014. Nearby, Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, will open a new family coaster, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, in the spring.
The Olympic torch on its way to Sochi.
wanderlust Olympics and World Cup
The Winter Olympics, Feb. 7-23, take place in Sochi, a Russian Black Sea resort that’s one of the least-known Olympic destinations in years. The indoor events will be held in ice arenas on the coast, while skiing and snowboarding are in the Caucasus Mountains 50 kilometers inland. With its subtropical climate and lush greenery, the coastal area of Sochi has long been a popular destination; some elaborate worker resorts from the Stalinist era remain, and new winter resorts are under construction. The World Cup soccer games, June 12-July 13, will be held in 12 cities in Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuaiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo. The most exotic destination, Manaus, a steamy city in the Amazon jungle, may also be the most controversial: England soccer coach Roy Hodgson called it “the place ideally to avoid,’’ while the London tabloid the Mirror called it a “crime-ridden hell-hole.’’ But loads of soccer fans are likely to travel there despite the bad press to attend some of the tournament’s top matches, including England-Italy and Portugal-US. The city is also a gateway to Amazon tourism, with Manaus-based operators offering boat trips and tours into the jungle.
Remembering War
The summer of 2014 marks a century since World War I was triggered by the June 28, 1914 assassination of the Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, now the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Events are planned across Europe to commemorate the centenary www.1914.org and some US tour operators like Road Scholar are offering itineraries visiting places connected to the war. Famous battlefields include Verdun, France; Gallipoli, Turkey, and Western Belgium, where red poppies still bloom in Flanders Fields, a battlefield immortalized in the famous poem: “In Flanders Fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row.” June 6 is the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, which marked a turning point in defeating Hitler in World War II. Past milestone anniversaries have drawn veterans of the invasion, but that generation is rapidly dwindling. President Obama, Queen Elizabeth and other heads of state have been invited to mark the solemn day on the Normandy coast. Nov. 9 will mark 25 years since the Berlin Wall was breached, a powerful moment in ending communism in Eastern Europe and the Cold War. The wall, built in 1961, not only physically cut East Berlin off from the West, but also symbolized the division between Western Europe and communist-controlled Eastern bloc countries. The wall was completely torn down in 1990, but its destruction began in 1989. In the years since, reunified Berlin has become a trendy tourism capital described as “poor but sexy” by its mayor. Events and exhibits are planned to mark the 25th anniversary, including an installation of illuminated balloons on a 12-kilometer path where the city was once divided.
The German military cemetery, Soldatenfriedhof, in Menen, Belgium.
works by Rembrandt and other Dutch masters while the Mauritshuis underwent a two-year renovation. In Norway, the Geirangerfjord will get some additional visitors as Adventures By Disney adds the destination to a new itinerary inspired by the movie Frozen. The film’s fantasy kingdom of Arendelle was based on the fjord. New Zealand is hoping for an increase in visitors inspired by the second movie in the “Hobbit” trilogy. Tourism connected to The Lord of the Rings and “Hobbit” films has become a big business in New Zealand, where the movies were filmed. A survey by Tourism New Zealand showed 13 percent of international visitors earlier this year took part in some kind of “Hobbit”- themed tourism like visiting a film set.
The World Cup will be held in 12 cities in Brazil, but the most exotic destination, Manaus, a steamy city in the Amazon jungle, may also be the most controversial
The Berlin Wall comes down.
Vermeer and Hobbits
Scotland hosts its year-long “Homecoming,” inviting emigres and their descendants to return for clan gatherings and other events, including a reenactment of the Battle of Bannockburn, an important victory 700 years ago in the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Homecoming is held every four years. In the Netherlands, the Mauritshuis museum reopens in June in The Hague. This small but important museum, housed in a 17th-century palace, is home to Vermeer’s masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been drawing huge crowds at the Frick in New York following showings in San Francisco and Atlanta. The painting has been traveling with The Goldfinch and
An artist rendering of the new Harry Potter-themed area of the Universal theme park in Orlando, Florida.
Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring
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TRENDS
TOO
MUCH TOO
SOON
Singer KD and hubby Raul Lemos put their daughter in the pink.
R i c h K IDS The Stir blog (thestir.cafemom.com) chose its top 10 of most spoiled celebrity kids. Among the pampered princes and princesses are: Blue Ivy Other kids may be green with envy that the firstborn of Beyonce and Jay-Z bathes in a US$5,200 Swarovski crystal bathtub. Brooklyn Beckham The eldest son of Posh and Becks is seeing stars with a $50,000 fiber-optic ceiling that simulates a starry sky at night. Zachary JohnFurnish There is no emptynest syndrome for Elton John and David Furnish. Their son has a $2 million apartment connected to his dads’ home in Los Angeles. Zahara Jolie-Pitt The young girl had her cake and ate it too with a $20,000 princess-themed birthday party.
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Jennifer Lopez’ children are in the driver’s seat.
The trend today among affluent parents is to shower kids with material goods, while skimping on important other aspects of their development.
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Words BRUCE EMOND
hey are glimpsed in airports, on the front row at fashion shows, taking their own little seats for some fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants. We spot Kourtney Kardashian’s cute son Mason clad in a designer outfit fresh from the Paris catwalk, or right here in Jakarta the scion of one of this nation’s most notoriously flamboyant lawyers pointing a bejeweled finger at a brand-new, almost US$1 million foreign sedan. The danger is that a seemingly glittering road full of indulgences – with no stop signs or caution ahead in place – can lead to ugly public accidents along the way. In recent months, the case of the youngest son of musician Ahmad Dhani – implicated in a car accident that killed nine people – grabbed headlines as an alleged glaring example of parental overindulgence and/or lack of oversight. Some sources claimed that the boy, then aged 13, had already been driving since the age of 11, something vehemently denied by his father, who has kept custody of his three sons since he divorced singer Maia Estianty in 2008. The unfortunate boy (not to forget the even more unfortunate people who died on the toll road last September) is from the ranks of Indonesia’s very rich. Yes, kids today really can have it all, especially if their parents are loaded to the max (famous-for-being-famous celebrity Kim Kardashian reportedly sent an assistant with a bottle of breast milk for her infant back in the US). But it’s not just the little Apples, Blues or Saris gallivanting around the world, or their privileged peers here living it up: the children of the rising upper middleclass in Indonesia are also flooded with choices galore,
from food, recreation, education to playthings. It is amid this culture of plenty that parents may end up giving to excess, only to regret it later. Psychologist Ratih Ibrahim defines this parental need
Lourdes Leon is a (nail) chip off the old block. Photos: AP/Reuters/ Kapanlagi.com
to give, give, give as a global phenomenon, with increasingly busy parents trying to compensate for their lack of presence in their children’s lives. “There can be a number of reasons for it, from having a lack of spare time or from being just too caught up in themselves,” says Ratih, who was reached on Friday at an international psychology conference in Manila. “It may also be a form of compensation for their own childhood, or making up for feelings of guilt, from a lack of harmony in their marriage, divorce or infidelity.” All those gifts become a one-stop pacifier and overriding endeavor to sign, seal and deliver their love to their children. Ratih warns that the real victims are the children, and she has treated many patients with depression as a result of absentee parents. “The kids grow up with this viewpoint that material goods can buy love, but they are inevitably very empty inside,” Ratih says. “They lack a capacity to build normal, healthy relationships with others and to empathize. The danger is they will be lonely, detached, have poor self-esteem and anger issues or, worst of all, develop other personality disorders.” Although this is not a new phenomenon, Ratih believes it is becoming more entrenched in a world that is increasingly hectic, individualistic and materialistic. So how do parents find a middle ground in giving their kids the material goods they wish for while not giving them too much of a good thing? And how should they show their offspring that money – and a new Louis Vuitton bag – does not grow on trees but is earned? “You have to teach them the meaning of money and work from examples and behavior in the home,” says Ratih. “It has to be done over time from when they are young. Grow the culture in the home. Consider it an investment for their futures.”
Under
TheirThumb
Mason Disick is definitely not skating on thin ice.
Down at Heel
Should little girls really be wearing high heels? Words Anne A. Jambora/Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN/Manila
On a sweaty summer morning, Lorraine Luzon walks to her modeling class in killer three-inch stilettos. As she teeters down the street, remembering the tips she learned on how to walk in high heels, people stare—and not always in a good way. Lorraine is only nine years old. Although it’s a known fact that little girls often mimic their mothers – wearing their makeup, dresses and, yes, stiletto pumps at some point – it was not until Suri Cruise, then a mere three-year-old, was photographed in heels that children all over suddenly wanted to emulate the child fashionista. But how safe are heels for growing girls? Would it eventually jeopardize their physical development? Orthopedic and spine surgeon Dr. Anne Kathleen B. Ganal-Antonio said the appropriate time for anyone to start wearing heels – gradually ease into them, she stressed – is when they’re between 14-16 years old. That’s about the age when the female is skeletally mature, meaning all growth centers have already closed and the muscles are developed well enough. “When you’re wearing heels, your muscles will be working extra hard. You’re talking about a six-year-old child whose muscles are still developing and you’re putting unusual fatigue on it. The muscles can take the
load, but we were not built to wear heels to begin with, or else God would have made us with feet like Barbie dolls,” Antonio said. Antonio explained that the feet, when we walk, adapt to a tripod gait: Weight on the heel, the big toe metatarsal head and the fifth toe. Walking in heels puts pressure on the balls of the feet, specifically the first ball of the foot near the big toe. The stress the body goes through, especially for children who have yet to develop their normal gait pattern, may have serious repercussions later on. “Toddlers still don’t have the heel strike, foot flat then toe off pattern. They walk on their toes. They do that until they reach about seven years old, when they get the normal gait pattern. When the foot slides forward into the narrow shoe box, it compresses the toes together and later
Another sign for parents to watch out for is not actually in their child, but within themselves, Audrey Tan-Zubiri writes in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Feelings of defeat and helplessness stem from having a child who is in control. “A child who controls his parents is out of control,” says psychologist Richard Bromfield, author of How to Unspoil Your Child Fast. Tan-Zubiri writes that parents should not be afraid to exercise authority and put your foot down and follow through on the consequences. “Children need to know that they have limits and you are serious with your statements. Without limits, they will continuously test the boundaries for as long as they can. It’s up to parents to put their foot down and let them know when they go too far. “We all want our children to grow up with the best of everything, but overprotecting and giving children too much at such a young age may ruin their ability to be satisfied and grateful for anything in life later on. It may set them up with a false sense of entitlement and leave them unprepared to deal with the disappointments and problems they will eventually encounter in life.”
on those pointy shoes might lead to deformity of the foot,” she said. Children may also develop bunions at an early age. Risk is increased if there is a familial tendency to develop bunions. They may also experience back, calf and leg pain if heels are worn for an extended period, Antonio said. Antonio said an inch-high wedge might be more suited to a child than stilettos and kittens. Parents, she added, must consider the heel height, duration of shoe wear and activities involved when using heels when they allow their children to wear a pair. “They might be running around in high heels, trip and get a fracture. That is the very real possibility in this scenario. As a doctor and as a mother, I’d like to say there is something inherently not right with children wearing heels. There are a lot of physiological changes still going on in a child,” Antonio said. The doctor’s two daughters, Bea, 6 and Yanna, 4, wore heels for about a year. It was a gift from their grandmother, Antonio said. Now she makes compromises. The children are allowed to wear heels only during special occasions, such as parties and only if they are seated most of the time. Even then, she brings along flats so the children can switch to comfy shoes if they want to.
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PARENTING
Dads
Tf oi rmt hee
The Star
Move over bachelors – it’s time for the older guys to have their moments. WORDS ROBERT NICKELL/the star/ann/kuala lumpur
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n just the last 24 months the term “dadchelor party” has been heard across the US, in radio, TV and magazine articles. A lot of new families-to-be, as well as experienced moms and dads that already have one or more children want to know: “Is it a good thing?” “Should we have one?” “Is it good for my marriage?” “Is it like a bachelor party?” “Why are dads doing this?” I have thoroughly researched the topic and in order to experience what the dadchelor party is truly all about, I hosted one for a friend, had one for myself and proudly hosted several dadchelor parties for celebrity dads as well. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are fun, great for male bonding, but more than anything help push the new daddy another step forward to be ready to engage himself as either a first time dad, or an experienced dad adding a new member to his expanding family. I firmly believe that any event that enables Dad to be ready to take one more step into the family arena for birth and beyond is good for the whole family. I can tell you first hand that new dads-to-be want to be involved in the process, but they are nervous and sometimes afraid to ask questions. Simple things, like changing a diaper or swaddling, to the more difficult task of helping to calm the new baby, or even dealing with postpartum depression needs to be understood by Dad.
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After the first baby, it seems to get easier, but with each addition to the family the dynamic changes. I have heard parents say one baby seems like a “piece of cake” compared to having two, or having twins. But to the family with their first newborn baby, it is a life changing and sometimes overwhelming event that truly requires a team effort.Thus the birth of what is now known as the “dadchelor party”. This is not about going to Vegas, doing shots of tequila and making improper decisions. It is about bonding with your guy friends one last time before “daddy-lock-down”, as well as getting some good and fun “dad advice” and information from other dad friends at the party. First let’s look at the daddy-lockdown. A first-time dad quite often does not realize that from the last month of pregnancy through about the third month of life, the family unit will go into shutdown mode.
The last month of pregnancy becomes a waiting period. The Braxton-Hicks contractions (sporadic contractions that are not true labor contractions) start up, the baby can nearly double in size, mum often has trouble walking, sitting and sleeping and every burp causes concern about the baby. Babies can come anytime once that last month starts, so everyone has to be constantly ready to go. The first three months of life will take some getting used to for everyone. The first month will pass in a blur and it will get easier after that. For the new dad, this means a complete change in lifestyle, going to the gym on Saturday morning, or hanging out at a sporting event during a weeknight needs to be put aside at least for the next four months. So, the dadchelor party is the night to say thanks to the guys and remind them that you will not see them for the next 120 days. However, if Dad really has some great friends, then they will set up a meal schedule and each of them will take a turn at bringing over some food during the “lockdown”, at least then they can say “hi”, offer to run an errand, or just say “hang in there.” The other important part of the dadchelor party is the advice from current dads. Sometimes the most simple of questions goes unanswered and becomes a worry. Well, that is where the dad-advice comes into play. Listen up to the experienced dads at the party and discover that you are not alone, there are a lot of commonalities in Dad’s role of raising children, going through labor and delivery and learning how to integrate a new child into your family. This is the time to not only hear firsthand, but to feel like you have someone you can reach out to during “daddylockdown” if you need some further help or advice. For my dadchelor party, we got together with about 14 dads and played Texas Hold Em’, drank some beer and wine and I got a few “gag” gifts as well as some useful items. Since I was a dad-to-be with No.7, I was celebrating with my guy friends and reminding them I would not see them for the next four months. For the dadchelor party I threw for a friend, we went skeet shooting, held a contest, ate BBQ and had a few beers. Everyone stood up and rather than giving a toast, they gave a piece of advice, sometimes in a funny or teasing way. There is nothing more important than getting the new or experienced dad-to-be engaged in the process of giving birth and having a new baby added to the family unit. I believe that as a dad you can begin to bond with the baby in that last month before birth and then just keep stepping up and doing whatever you can to help with the newborn after birth. Having a family is like a lot of life lessons: “The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.” Good luck and happy parenting!
talk of the town New Year’s Eve at Hotel Mulia Senayan Hotel Mulia Senayan gave a resounding welcome to 2014 at Cascade Lounge, with Italian singer Patrizio Buanne getting guests in the spirited mood with his rendition of famously upbeat La Bamba, as well as a selection of timeless romantic tunes. The Angel Percussion also proved a dynamic musical duo in bringing in the new year at the five-star hotel.
well bEING
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OUT SHAPE! Indonesians are bringing up the rear in their attitudes to health, a new survey finds. Words Prasiddha Gustanto
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score of 55 out of 100 is a failing grade wherever you are in the world. Unfortunately, it is what Indonesia scored in finishing bottom of the AIA Group’s annual Healthy Living Index Surveys, measuring members of the public’s satisfaction with the state of their health. The pan-Asian life insurance group conducted surveys in 15 of its markets across the Asia-Pacific region: Hong Kong, Macau, China, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. The surveys, given to more than 10,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 65, asked them about a broad range of health and health-related issues and measured them for behaviors and satisfaction with their health. Vietnam and China took the two top spots in this year’s Healthy Living Index, respectively scoring 71 and 69 out of 100 points. Indonesia finished dead last, behind South Korea (57) and Hong Kong (58). Clearly, Indonesians are unhappy with the state of their health. Of the 750 Indonesian adults interviewed in Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan, 71 percent of them agree with the statement “my health is not as it was five years ago”, including 58 percent of adults under 30. The main reasons for this lack of self-satisfaction are a lack of regular exercise accompanied by passive stressrelieving habits. Despite the fact that 63 percent of adults profess to exercise regularly, the average amount of time they spend doing these physical activities is only 2.2 hours per week, which is far below the three-hour regional average, and even lower in terms of how many hours health experts would usually recommend. Exacerbating the problem is how 57 percent of Indonesians passively relieve stress via watching television rather than actively through exercise, which only occupies the stress-reduction schedules of 26 percent of Indonesians. Fortunately, 100 percent of local adults agree that healthy living is important. Unfortunately, few seem
to want to commit themselves to putting their beliefs into action. Only 30 percent of Indonesian adults agree with the statement “I need to reduce my weight” compared to the 53 percent for the 15 Asia-Pacific markets. According to world-renowned actor and martial artist Joe Taslim, people can rejuvenate their physiques with simple yet effective routines, such as doing daily runs. “It is the perfect choice. You don’t need much in the way of sports gear to do it,” said Joe, who was a panelist during the recent announcement of the findings. Supplementing these easy-to-begin routines should be balanced diets. Otherwise, you can’t maximize the benefits your body can get from exercise. “When you exercise, you destroy your muscle cells. You need good nutrition and proper rest to restore it all back,” nutrition expert and fellow panelist Samuel Oetoro warned.
Health Concerns
The five cancers Indonesian women fear the most are cervical, breast, ovarian, skin and thyroid. Indonesian men most fear skin, nasopharynx, lymph node, rectal and prostate cancers. Only 26 percent of Indonesian adults did medical checkups in the past year, compared to the 53 percent regional average. However, 89 percent of locals agreed do more medical check-ups if the cost wasn’t too expensive. In terms of food safety, 83 percent of Indonesian adults are worried that what they eat contains harmful ingredients. Pollution-wise, 99 percent of Indonesians agree that pollution is a serious health hazard, with air pollution being their number-one concern, followed by water pollution and land pollution. The number-one disease Indonesians fear the most is heart disease, with 53 percent of the country’s adults naming it as their most undesired ailment. The regional average only lists 38 percent as fearing heart disease the most and instead having cancer being top of their list at 44 percent. Indonesians also have an unusually high fear of being physically disabled. Some 40 percent of the nation’s adults are afraid of becoming dependant on wheel chairs and being permanently bed-ridden, compared to the 18 percent regional average.
JP/Ricky Yudhistira
6 ways Indonesian adults reduce stress • • • • • •
Watch TV/movies (57 percent) Hanging out with friends (49 percent) Being with family members (45 percent) Exercise (26 percent) Computer/mobile games (13 percent) Spending time on the Internet (12 percent)
3 healthy lifestyle options Indonesian adults want to pursue the most • • •
Drinking more water daily (80 percent agree) Eating more fruits and vegetables (67 percent) Reducing salt intake (21 percent)
Rankings of the 15 markets (scores out of 100) 1. Vietnam (71) 2. China (69) 3. Macau (69) 4. Sri Lanka (63) 5. Australia (62) 6. Malaysia (61) 7. Thailand (61)
8. The Philippines (61) 9. New Zealand (61) 10. Singapore (59) 11. Taiwan (58) 12. India (58) 13. Hong Kong (58) 14. South Korea (57) 15. Indonesia (55)
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