Vol. 1 No. 18 I FEBRUARY 16-22, 2014
WANDERLUST
Breezy Breaks in Bandung PARENTING
Calming the Angry Child TREND DIAL
The New Thai in Town
Hollywood Calling Actress Tania Gunadi Makes a Name for Herself in the US
Check List
Noted in passing
Far and Away Captivated by all things Indonesian after my first experience here in 1985, I embarked on a mission to find Indonesian cultural references back home. That included paying an arm and a leg to eat a so-so rendang at a chi-chi restaurant in New York City (as I recall it was named Java, so the gudeg was probably a better bet), and in college diligently scanning the Des Moines phone directory for Indonesian sounding names. I happened upon a man called Wijaya or Widjojo, who was teaching art in the city. I was captivated by his story, and continue today to be fascinated by other Indonesians who leave their close-knit
backgrounds to become expatriates. Our cover, Tania Gunadi, is an example, bidding goodbye to her hometown of Bandung to become an actress in the US. She is making a name for herself in TV sitcoms and commercials in the US – good for her. Our Table of Friends tackles the issue of public transportation, following on from Hannah Al Rashid’s “take-the-bus-people” entreaty from last week. Each of them has a unique opinion; I personally was struck by Zoya Amirin’s discussion of the rampant sexual harassment that women face on public transportation vehicles. We also head to Bandung which,
despite all the gripes about it being crowded, remains a welcoming escape from Jakarta. I went there by train last week, and was once again charmed by the beauty of the city and the people. And I was also very impressed by the classy upgrading of Gambir Station. And of course we have our regular fare of fashion, food and fun people. Wherever we are in the world, let’s make the best of what it has to offer you. Have a sunny Sunday.
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SHORTS ATTENTION SPAN Let’s loudly wag the pants, and erase Sumatra’s crown jewel off the map on the quiet.
JPlus February 16, 2014
Bandung Bound
A captivating weekend in the West Java capital.
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
Words Kadek Krishna Adidharma
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Fashion designers are getting into the cyber swing.
Bruce Emond bruce@thejakartapost.com
mark my words
This is my third trip to Aceh, and to be honest, I have no idea what the fuss about the new sharia law is all about. Apart from noticing two gentlemen in loose white robes and turbans striding ahead of two black burkha-clad women upon arrival at Banda Aceh’s new airport, I haven’t seen much change in dress code. In fact, compared to my 1995 and 1998 visits, the Aceh sartorial style now seems more casual. Over the last few days I’ve seen mothers sweep their neighborhood streets in what resembles a night-gown, and waitresses wearing beautiful smiles instead of headscarves as they serve tourists. At Lampuuk beach, young couples walk along the beach in shorts and T-shirt. Male and female French surfers ride waves in their usual state of undress. Local girls swim in the sea, not a burkini in sight. Britain may have ruled the waves in yesteryears, but in Aceh, the panIndonesian sport of waiving the rules remains strong. Then why has the Aceh legislature gone to the trouble of insisting that men wear long pants and women wear long skirts? Some local religious leaders are already commenting that the farcical law is a
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Online Observer
ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com
pre-election diversionary tactic. But this jihad on shorts is a diversion from what? Discussing recent developments in Aceh with civil society activists, I notice a growing restlessness as Aceh’s natural resources are eagerly carved up by its 18 regencies in the name of greater regional autonomy. The Acehnese people are educated and smart. In a healthy democracy, they should be directing their legislature to create useful laws. In this imperfect rapid-cycle democracy, however, it’s hard to see the woods for the life-sustaining trees. The dollar-value of lumber flashes before official eyes much too fast. Another tsunami is approaching Aceh. This wave of environmental destruction is likely to have far-reaching repercussions even compared to those unleashed by the 2004 earthquake. The quiet, methodical dismantling of the Leuser Ecosystem by the Aceh legislature, starting with erasing the very words from their spatial planning maps, is nothing less than horrific. The Leuser is a virgin forest ecosystem
of 2.6 million hectares where many endangered animals have a last chance of survival. It is the only place in the world where orangutans, tigers, elephants, rhinos and sunbears roam together. It is this lush jungle home that is being denuded while people visiting Aceh are coerced into buying more long skirts and pants. It’s understandable that the media is quick to get up in arms about the loss of civil liberties symbolized by the loss of shorts. Thanks to the news, I consciously packed more long pants than usual for this trip. Women, of course, are only officially allowed to wear long skirts that sweep the streets, but don’t tell that to the stylish young lady wearing tight leggings on her way to the mosque yesterday afternoon. It is counter-productive to all start waving our shorts in the air when there are so many more important issues to fight for. Let the sharia police wag their pants and protect their family jewels. We have Sumatra’s final crown jewel to protect.
Marketing Executives Dewi Damayani dewi.damayani@thejakartapost.com
Sugeng Andrianto
sugeng.andrianto@thejakartapost.com
@JplusSunday
SundayJplus
JplusSunday
On the Cover Tania Gunadi Photographer Devianna Andrianto
GOING PUBLIC
table of friends
Are you ready and willing to take the public transportation challenge? @iwetramadhan
Life is tough in Jakarta if your daily routine includes taking public transportation. I cannot imagine how I would survive if I had to use public transportation to get around. The traffic, pollution, bone-breaking seats … everything seems so very unpleasant. I work so hard so that I can have the perk of enjoying serene and silent moments in my car. Don’t get me wrong – I took public transportation during my old school days. And, yes, I ended up gifting my favorite watch to someone I didn’t even know during one ride (I should mention he was holding a knife and I was trying to save my life). I sometimes still try to put myself in the shoes of those who have to take our public transportation. But with traumatic memories like the above, and glimpsing people struggling to get onto the bus during peak hours, I cannot imagine it. Bad in every way. Taking a taxi is good, but only the black one, and not all of us can afford it. I agree the ojek motorcycle taxi is everyone’s savior but, to be honest, I prefer to be late to an appointment and face a scolding from a client than deal with the germs that are all around us (did I mention that I’m a neurotic person?) I guess the government still needs to work on getting public transportation in order. As for me, I have to work, work, work to afford my comfortable car with the luxury of a driver. PS: I admit I still jump on the Transjakarta, but only on the weekend!
@mrshananto
You’re not a true Jakartan until you know how not to kill yourself when you’re stuck in traffic for one, two or even three hours on your way to work. Then you’re not a true Jakartan snob until you refuse to ride on public transportation :) hey this city is really all about SURVIVAL! I think Jakarta has successfully converted me! I know my fave rides really well: the bajaj motorized pedicab and ojek motorcycle taxis! You’re a true Jakartan when a bajaj comes to your rescue! I was in my usual snob morning mode, sitting comfortably in fancy black taxi on my way to a seminar in Kota area, when we were halted by floods. So I hopped into a handy bajaj and was safely on my way! The loud and dirty orange tricycle saved my day! Last but not least, you’re a true Jakartan when you have your own helmet! Yes, I do not own a motorcycle, and don’t even know how to ride one. But, my friends, I have my own helmet at the ready for my next ojek ride :) Next time you see an ibu-ibu with matching bag and shoes and hijab, happily riding an ojek or bajaj on her way to work, do yell out! It could be me :)
@zoyaamirin
From junior high until my first year of college I took the bus. Due to increasing sexual harassment, I took the train instead. I had a car from my sophomore year, and now I don’t have the nerve to use the bus anymore. I wish the government would take the issue of sexual harassment on public transportation more seriously. It takes more than just increasing the police presence ; we also need some kind of online alert system identifying people who are known sexual offenders. Survivors of molestation on public transportation vehicles live with the trauma for the rest of their lives. So sex offenders should have their crimes recorded on their official police document of public conduct, and have their picture posted at all bus and train stations as warning. It will make them think before they prey on others. I love the idea of women-only cars on the train, and the effort to do the same for Transjakarta. Yes, I pray for safer, more convenient public transportation. Then I can also commit to more environmentally friendly actions than simply using less plastic, by returning to public transportation instead of using a private vehicle.
@edwardsuhadi
Just call me your Chinese middle class poster boy. As a student, I rarely took any public transportation except for the occasional ojek. And I think that was part of what defined me for some time in my lifetime. My family’s economic circumstances determined where I went to college, what circles I belonged to and that made me who I am now. I’m glad that things happened in my life and family that removed me from my set ways as a member of the prosperous and disconnected part of society. My wife, on the other hand, even though she was also a part of the same middle class, took the bus every day. She would tease me, “Booo, the boy who never took the bus …”. I took the teasing quite well. The fact that she was someone with the option of not taking the bus, but who took it anyway, is testament to her character and how it shaped her character. And for the rest of us, I think we should follow her lead, too.
@ReneCC
I used to be that guy who knew nothing, cared nothing and did nothing when it comes to public transportation in Jakarta. Like most people I know who frequently travel overseas, we seemed OK about using public transportation in Singapore, Hong Kong or other developed countries. But back here in our hometown of Jakarta, we dread stepping onto the bus, Mikrolet, Metromini, Kopaja or what have you. Trust me, no one can blame you, especially if you’re a woman. Sure, I used a taxi once in a blue moon and, like my finicky friend Iwet, I always opted for the black one – yeah, call me a snob. The traffic may go crazy and the pollution choke babies – no problem, as long as I was safely cocooned in my own car. Then I was handed one of the biggest, fattest slices of humble pie. My car got stolen last year and the insurance claim process was lengthy. Using a black taxi every day was financial suicide as my dear friend, Ligwina, would be quick to point out. So I began my forced experimentation on Jakarta’s public transportation. I set about trying them ALL. How did it go? Well, it was bad … but not that bad. Forget about the minibuses, they are beyond help, but the Transjakarta is OK. The ojek is way OK! I got to know at least half a dozen of very reliable drivers – I even know their family history! And I love trains – PT KAI is doing a remarkable job. It makes me wonder why the government does not put more money and effort into developing this sort of transportation rather than paying fuel subsidies. The best part of this humbling experience was discovering a public movement called nebengers, allowing use to ask for or offer a ride to fellow citizens. Simply brilliant! I got my claim paid up several months ago and eventually got my new car. Yeay! But now I cannot wait for the day I can let go of my car and just take the train once again. I am now driving with the awareness that driving a car is bad for your wallet – and especially for the government’s wallet – but at least I never buy subsidized fuel. Driving a car is terrible for the environment and for becoming real people ;) I’m no longer a snob but I am a public transportation snob!
Join us at the table: send your feedback to @TOFChat and @JPlusSunday JPlus February 16, 2014
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A la Mode
E-Fashion’s
entrance
Diane Von Furstenberg takes a bow.
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JPlus February 16, 2014
FRONT ROW FIXTURE
I
received an invitation to the Tory Burch Fall 2014 fashion show last Tuesday. But just when I thought I was headed to New York Fashion Week, my eyes moved to the bottom part of the inviation that read “via livestream”. Fashion shows are decidedly exclusive, but it seems like things are changing with the advent of technology. British heritage brand Burberry pioneered the livestream fashion show in February 2011, airing its Prossum collection on a 32-meter screen at London’s Piccadilly Circus, along with 39 other spots and various video streaming websites that reached over 150 countries. It was a groundbreaking event that lead other fashion labels to bring the runway to the public – Hence the Tory Burch invitation that landed in my e-mail inbox. I skipped Burch’s highly praised collections, but I managed to catch some of the must-watch shows in New York, from Betsey Johnson, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Diane Von Furstenberg to Marc by Marc Jacobs. Viewing the show online as it is happening in New York’s Lincoln Square is exciting, and quite possibly affords you a better view of the clothes (the camera zooms in and out as though you have been afforded a prime seat next to Anna Wintour). While almost every major label now streams
fashion shows live, the phenomenon looked set to enter a new phase last October when Singaporebased event agency STORM launched what was claimed to be the world’s first digital-only fashion week. Exclusively available for viewing at www. digitalfashionweek.com, Digital Fashion Week (DFW) is meant for end consumers who wish to shop for the fresh-off-the-runway look and have them delivered far before they hit stores – quite the opposite of the traditional Fashion Weeks, which showcase collections six months prior to selling them in stores. That said, how, where and when do you exactly watch the shows? Well you can check out the following websites and the rundown of each show. Be sure to sync the timezone. And just in case you miss your favorite designer’s show, you can always watch the show again on these websites. But even with the convenience, it surely is a much more exciting time watching the collection unfold on the runway. +Willy Wilson •
London Fashion Week (Feb. 14 – 18) www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
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Milan Fashion Week (Feb. 18 – 23) www.live.cameramoda.it
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Paris Fashion Week (Feb. 25 – March 5) www.parisfashionweeklive.com
Photos: AFP, AP
designers are bringing the power of technology to fashion and retail.
A la Mode
Meaningful Medium
S
ocial media provocateur Kenneth Cole put actors Alan Cumming and Rachel Dratch on his runway and in a movie on Monday that begged the question: “What’s real and what’s for show?” Known for his embrace of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook — and occasional social media mishaps — Cole projects onto white walls images of models holding signs that declared: “We’re all accessories,” ‘’If in doubt, check Instagram,” ‘’This fashion is for real, or is it for show?” and “Everybody’s life is better than yours.” In a short film that opened the show in a stark white space on West 50th Street, Cumming and Dratch engaged in some Twitter one-upmanship, lying to each other as they lounged at home about fabulous buys, famous friends and nights out on the town. At finale time, the two pop out from backstage and walked a winding runway together. In a backstage interview before the show, Cole spoke enthusiastically about buying back his 30-year-old clothing and accessories company that went public in 1994. In many ways, he says, he feels he’s his own customer. “I love kind of curating him and elevating him and now that we’re a private company, it’s easier to do that. It’s just a wonderful time and a unique time, probably, in this company’s history,” he says. And he talked about the big impact of social media on the fashion industry. “It’s defined how we consume what we wear, how we define ourselves, how we introduce ourselves to the world in kind of interesting and compelling ways,” Cole says. Generally, he says, social media has pushed the “real or show” question to the cultural forefront. “Are we over-glamorizing ourselves, and if so to what end, and then one asks the question, does it matter? That’s the bigger message right now. Today, social media has enabled everybody to be their own brand and they curate their brand every day, and they welcome people into their brand. And my goal as a designer today is to try and get you to accept me as part of your brand.” Cole, through social media and his foundation, is an activist for AIDS research and the homeless. An old friend, Jon Bon Jovi, was in the audience. The two designed a coat and T-shirt together for charity. “I don’t go to fashion shows, so this is fun,” Bon Jovi said. + Leanne Italie/AP
Rachel Dratch & Alan Cumming
JPlus February 16, 2014
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taste BUD
VIVAVEGGIES Words & Photos Theodora Hurustiati
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egetables sound bland and boring to many of us but they really can be as tempting as your favorite T-bone steak! India is a haven for vegetarians, with the subcontinent’s cuisine boasting one of the most extensive collections of tasty, meat-free recipes. One of the best known Indian dishes is biryani rice, which is actually a culinary import from Persia. Versions vary from one area to another, but mine is inspired by the dish from Hyderabad (it often includes mutton or chicken). I’ve simplified the cooking procedure, so don’t let the lengthy ingredient list below discourage you!
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Serves 3-4 200 g basmati rice 125 ml plain natural yoghurt 25 g cashew nuts 25 g shallots, finely diced 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cm (30 g) ginger, minced 3-4 whole green chilies (optional) 2 bay leaves 10 cm cinnamon stick 4-5 cloves 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed 1 teaspoons garam masala powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon caraway seeds 0.03 g saffron (if available), soaked in 25 ml warm water 100 g green bean, cut into 3-cm sticks 100 g cauliflower, cut into small florets 100 g carrot, cut into 3-mm rounds 100 g frozen peas Mint leaves, to taste 2 tablespoons ready-made fried shallots Vegetable oil or, better, ghee (clarified butter), for sautéing Salt •
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JPlus February 16, 2014
Wash and drain rice of excess starch. Place in a pan with 225 ml water and a teaspoon of salt. Cover with lid and cook over a low flame until all the liquid is absorbed. The rice by now should be about 75 percent cooked. If you press the grain it should be soft on the outside but still a little hard in the center.
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Heat ghee over a low heat and roast cashew nuts until golden. Add shallots, garlic, ginger and chilies; sweat for two minutes before including the rest of the spices. Fry for another few minutes until fragrant. Incorporate vegetables. Season with salt and cook for about 8-10 minutes until the color turns vibrant and they’re almost tender. Add a touch of water if necessary when the spices are caramelizing too much. Turn the heat off; add yoghurt and mix. • Arrange half of the vegetable in the bottom of a heat resistant casserole, top with 2/3 of the rice. Sprinkle with some fried shallots, half of saffron (if using) and few mint leaves. Repeat with another layer of vegetable and rice. • Cover casserole with lid and put rice back on the stove over a low heat. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. The trapped steam will finish cooking the rice. Rest for 5 minutes before serving with some more fried shallots.
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.
Thai’s THE LIMIT A new restaurant knows it has to keep up with the tastes of today’s diners, including in social media interaction. Words Sebastian Partogi
roving FOODIES make Jakarta fertile ground for restaurants of all types and description. A new addition to the city’s colorful culinary landscape is Mango Tree Bistrobar, a Thai food restaurant that recently opened its new outlet in Plaza Senayan, South Jakarta. JPlus talked with Trevor MacKenzie, the managing director of restaurant chain Exquisine Thai, about expanding to Jakarta, his restaurant’s fashionable approach to serving food and drinks, as well as the secret behind Thai cuisine’s international success. Do you think Thai food commands a specific market segment in Jakarta? Athough we are targeting those aged 25 and above, I don’t think we have a specific market segment in Jakarta because generally Jakartans are so open to new things that they are willing to try new food concepts. The growth of the middle class has produced more people with disposable income and these people are willing to spend their money on leisure activities. Especially now that technology has changed, Jakartans
are able to learn about foreign foods from the Internet. They might see their friends posting a picture of a particular Thai food on Instagram and suddenly they want to try it. The ease of interaction among people is really spurring the growth of restaurants carrying new concepts. What led you to open in Plaza Senayan? Mango Tree opened its first bistro bar in Jakarta at Epicentrum Walk, Kuningan, South Jakarta, around October 2011, and it has generated an enthusiastic response from customers. We chose Plaza Senayan because it is located strategically near hotels and business centers. We think the area has good market potential for us. You mentioned new food concepts. What food concept does your restaurant boast to distinguish yourself from others of the same ilk? We have two concepts, namely bistronomy and mixology. In bistronomy, we make an effort to present our foods in an aesthetic way. This is important because nowadays people are like, “don’t touch the food! Nobody’s allowed to eat it before I take a photo of it!” (laughing). Then, of course, they will upload the photo on social media websites. Therefore, restaurants need to be more than just about eating. We need to provide people with a wider experience than that. In mixology, we try to decorate our drinks to create certain feelings and tell certain stories. Take our Silken drink, for example. We named it so because Thailand is known for silk. For this drink, we combine vodka with
Seeing Eye to Eye
Renowned German optics company ZEISS is now distributing its eyewear lenses in Indonesia through Optik TunGgal stores.
ZEISS AND OPTIK TUNGGAL both have long and esteemed reputations in their fields. Established in 1846 in Germany and headquartered in the country, ZEISS has not only produced lenses for eyewear products but also for camera, binoculars and planetariums. It has also provided solutions for automotive, engineering and medical technologies. Optik Tunggal, which has distributed optical products in Indonesia for more than 80 years, currently has a network of more than 156 outlets in the country’s major cities and distributes 40 international eyewear brands. The two recently announced they had entered into a distribution partnership. ZEISS president & CEO Michael Kaschke cited Indonesia’s large population and promising economic growth. “We plan to acquire about 15 percent market share [in
the eyewear sector]. We have a lot of potential customers and with the help of [Optik Tunggal] as our strong partner, we can achieve the target,” he said at the Jan. 22 event. Asia-Pacific countries currently contribute 23 percent of his company’s direct market revenue, he says. Optik Tunggal director Michael Kurniawan acknowledges that currently only a small portion of the population
trenDIAL
Photos courtesy of Mango Tree Bistrobar
mulberries, because mulberry trees are silkworms’ habitat. Then we put candy floss on top to add a silky feel to it. Thai foods are relatively more recognized than Indonesian ones. And Indonesian restaurants overseas also fail to maintain the original taste of their foods. What do you see as the differences between the two? In order to become successful internationally, a particular cuisine needs to be properly marketed. People have got to know Thai foods because Thailand has attracted so many tourists since 1970. Tourism is a great marketing tool for local foods. The majority of people traveling to Indonesia, however, go to Bali only, which may not represent the whole Indonesian culinary picture. You also need to stay true to the taste and ingredients of your foods. Sometimes people adjust the taste of their national cuisine to match foreign palates. Some Indonesian chefs may tone down the taste of the foods to match foreign palates. We Thai chefs, however, don’t compromise the taste of our foods. could afford to buy eyewear products. “Right now, only 7 percent of Indonesia’s population wear glasses because a lot of people from the low income bracket, especially those living in suburban kampong areas, still can’t afford to buy the products.” He said, however, more Indonesians would be able to afford eyewear products in the years as the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew. “At least some 20 percent of the total population should be able to buy eyewear products.” He said that to achieve that target, eyewear products also needed suitable marketing strategies, including following fashion trends. Kaschke emphasized that marketing strategies would reflect ZEISS’ key brand attributes, namely innovation, reliability and customer-focused. “We believe that, as a leading brand in Indonesia, Optik Tunggal is able to be a good brand ambassador that conveys our core brand attributes,” he says. + Sebastian Partogi
JPlus February 16, 2014
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Opportunity KnockS
Although Tania Gunadi came to Hollywood by chance, the Indonesian actress says she has found her true calling.
Words Bruce Emond
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Photo by Devianna Andrianto
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mong higher-profile parts, including in Disney Channel movies Pixel Perfect and Go Figure, Tania Gunadi’s acting resume includes roles simply defined as “anorexic girl” and “girl in wheelchair”. They may not seem much to write home about – including to her parents in her hometown of Bandung – but what is notable is the one word that is missing in the parts’ description: there is no “Asian” as an example of Hollywood tokenism for minority groups. Tania, who moved to the US at the turn of this century, believes the Hollywood landscape is more diversified today from less than 30 years ago, when Pat Morita of Karate Kid fame and George Takei, Hikaru on Star Trek, were among the few AsianAmerican actors of note. Tellingly, her new TV series Enlisted on FOX Television has her playing a soldier in the US Army. “One of the things that I love about America is that everyone gets an equal opportunity. America is so diverse and multicultural, especially Los Angeles, and in this business I really do think there are always roles for everyone,” she says from her home in the California city. “I’ve auditioned and played roles that were written specifically for Asians as well as several roles that were originally written for another ethnicity. For show writers and producers, so much can change between the paper and the casting process so I believe it’s much more about the character that you bring to the table for a particular project than ethnicity.” Also a familiar face to US viewers from numerous commercials, she says she has the “coolest job on earth” and looks forward to going to the set. The irony is the diminutive, fresh-faced Tania, 30, says her journey to America came about by chance. Her older sister entered her name into a green card lottery, and she was selected. Still in high school at the time, and with admittedly limited English-language proficiency, she says she had never thought about living in the US. “I was just someone who was going from one day to the next and having fun in school hanging out with friends, so
cover story
my parents said I could give it a shot if I wanted. They told me I could always go back to Indonesia if I didn’t like America, so that sounded like a nice idea. It was a tough decision though, as I was very close with my parents and it was hard to say goodbye.” From Los Angeles, Tania tells her Hollywood experience. In a nutshell, how has your experience in Hollywood been? I’d call it an amusing, witty journey. From learning how to speak English to learning acting to working in TV and film, it’s been the adventure of a lifetime. I guess the turning point was after I started booking a few commercials and experiencing what it was like working on sets. That made me eager and I started to dream bigger and began to see all the possibilities. I would say that my enthusiasm has been the thing that has gotten my foot in the door for casting. How do you feel about the state of your career today – is it where you wanted it to be? It is definitely where I want it to be. One of my dreams was to be on a series for a major network so when I got Enlisted, I was just so thrilled. Tell us more about Enlisted. It is a comedy with a lot of heart about three brothers and a group of misfit soldiers serving in the Rear Detachment (Rear D) unit in Florida. All the characters have their own unique personalities, like the nerd, sassy and aggressive types, all of which add up to a mix of not-so-smart goofiness and trouble. We shoot mostly on the lot of FOX, it’s been a lot of fun. The three brothers are played by Geoff Stults (7th Heaven, October Road), Chris Lowell (Private Practice, Veronica Mars) and Parker Young (Suburgatory). I spent about four months on it and had a really awesome time. It gave me an opportunity to prepare not just for the acting part but also physical preparation. I learned how to use weapons, how to run an obstacle course, and do a bunch of new workouts along the way to keep fit. You have made a lucrative living from acting in commercials for major products. How did that come about? I love doing commercials!! I did commercials in the beginning of my acting career when my English was still terrible, but the beauty of the commercials I was doing at the time was that I didn’t have to say anything! Once I gained more of a grasp of English, I started auditioning for commercials with speaking parts as well. I found it wasn’t as hard of a transition as I thought it’d be. What is your dream role? Honestly I have many dream roles which keep me interested in this business and looking forward to the future, but one of my dream roles is to play a spy or detective or even a hero in an action film a la Casino
Bali was just extra beautiful that time of the year. I had some of the best Balinese food I’ve ever had at a place called Bumbu Bali in Nusa Dua. I also spent some time in the mountains of Ubud. What do you miss? I always miss Bandung. The people are nice and I love speaking my native Sundanese as it’s an endearing language that I have spoken since I was little. I also miss my family and friends and, of course, the food! Especially the super spicy and super sour foods like lumpiah basah, rujak and combro! The only thing I don’t miss about Indonesia is the traffic, but I managed! It’s pretty heavy even compared to Los Angeles. Tania with fellow cast members and on the set. Photos courtesy of FOX Television
“I think everyone should follow their heart and go wherever they feel it’s the most fun for them.” Royale, or Departed or Jason Bourne type films. I just love action movies, maybe because I grew up watching so many Asian soaps with kung fu! Are there any roles you would not take, and for what reason? You know it’s hard to say as you make
those choices and decisions based on such a host of factors, like have I worked a role like this before, who’s the writer and director of the project, where it will be filmed, how long is it scheduled for and does it clash with other projects I have going on at the time. But the biggest one is, does it sound like it’d be fun to play the role? And I guess that’d be my answer – if it doesn’t sound like fun, I’d steer clear of it. How do you feel when you return to Indonesia? I try to go back once a year as I miss my mom and dad so much. I was just back there around the US Thanksgiving break. I spent some time in Jakarta dividing my time between business stuff and seeing friends. Then I took a little vacation in Bali as I hadn’t been there in many years. I’ve always loved my country of Indonesia and
If you hadn’t left Indonesia, what do you think you would be doing today? Wow, I’d never thought of that … It’s likely I’d be a teacher in a high school or college, or maybe a drummer in an Indonesian band! After all your years abroad, do you think that it is important for Indonesian artists to leave their homeland and find their true artistic exploration? I think everyone should follow their heart and go wherever they feel it’s the most fun for them. With that said, it’s not necessary to leave their homeland, but it’s also not necessary to stay. I’d say explore your art where your heart is! Is America home for good now? For the moment, yes. This is where my life and my career has been the last several years and honestly I love Los Angeles. I love the weather and the city and there’s still so much for me to explore here. And yet at the same time, I am eager for more adventures and open to wherever it may lead me!
JPlus February 16, 2014
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wander LUST
It Takes Two
Bandung has plenty of fun for couples even if Valentine’s has passed. And we promise our list does not involve any factory outlets. Words ICHA RAHMANTI
Photo taking at Museum Konprensi Asia Afrika Nothing says Bandung louder than the historical site of Museum Konprensi Asia Afrika, venue for the 1955 conference of newly liberated developing nations, on Jl. Asia Afrika. The façade of the art deco building, previously known as Gedung Merdeka and Concordia Societat during colonial times, is an inviting place to strike a pose before setting off for nearby Jl. Braga. The street was the center of recreational and retail activities during colonial times. Stop at the famous Sumber Hidangan for snacks and enjoy the paintings by local artists on the sidewalk. The museum and Braga are favorite wedding photo locations; don’t be surprised to see couples decked out in bridal attire in the area. Make sure to have your portrait sketched on the spot by a street artist on Braga?A size 12R sketch will cost around Rp 250,000, while a colored caricature is around Rp 350,000. Stop in at nearby cafes or explore different areas in the city during the two hours it takes for the sketch to be completed.
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wander LUST
Lembang Rent a chauffered car or hail a taxi to see the local tea plantations. Not only can you enjoy the refreshing greenery, you can stop by at a local sidewalk stall for freshly made tea. D’ Ranch Lembang is a great place for lunch. Set in sprawling grounds and with a mountain backdrop. Take your pick of activities such as horse riding, archery or simply chilling out and enjoying the cool air. Sip fresh milk and in their food court, offering a wide selection of Indonesian cuisine and homemade sausages. Lovely afternoon at Padma The Restaurant in Padma Hotel, Ciumbeleuit, offers good food as well as a calming view of the nearby valley. Dinner here is pricey but recommended. If you are here for a romantic dinner, come in the afternoon to first enjoy the valley view from the balcony before the night descends. My favorite is their cheesecake drizzled with caramel sauce (Rp 49,000 per slice). It is an experience to eat dinner or have tea accompanied by the background sound of a chorus of crickets. Be sure to pack a jacket or a pashmina for the chilly evenings. Originally published on jakpost.travel
Journey of Escape Embarking on a three-day soothing journey for the senses. Words Adipolo
My long weekend begins with a warm welcome from Hilton Bandung General Manager Scott Wilson and his team after the three-hour drive from Jakarta. Located on Jl. H.O.S Cokroaminoto, it is only 5 minutes drive from the main railway station and 10 minutes from Bandung International Airport. It boasts 186 guest rooms and suites that are among the largest in the city. Next up on my “Journey” is a delicious dinner, served in different areas of the hotel. For starters there is the canapés cocktail of tuna mayo with grilled carrot, beef salad with blue cheese and Jamaican beef dumpling. We move to Jiwa Spa, where healthy temptations of yellow-fin tuna, heart of palm, spiced cilantro and lemon dressing await. The main dish – seared cod with spinach, olive, parsley-crusted potato and chowder sauce – is served at Al Fresco, the Italian poolside restaurant. The night wraps up with tiramisu and coffee and tea at all-day-dining Purnawarman Restaurant. What an auspicious prelude to the great sightseeing opportunities and adventures over the next two days.
Friday First stop is Bandung Treetop Adventure Park in the hilly Lembang area. I soar like a bird on the flying 160-meter-long flying fox, towering 20 meters above ground. The facility is ideal for all types of events, from company outings to birthday parties. We have worked up an appetite after three hours of challenges. Lunch is at the interesting Kampung Daun Culture Gallery, located in a valley and popular for its local cuisine. It is then another hourlong drive to Tangkuban Perahu, an active, 2048-meter volcano (the name refers to its shape, resembling a boat turned upside down). It is set amid lush tea plantations (great for a stroll), but it is chilly, drizzly and misty, so we do not stay long. After the long day, I head to the Jiwa Spa for its signature “men’s ritual” massage. The 60-minute treatment begins with aromatherapy compress, followed by full body massage and the final touch, literally, focusing on the face. It was simply another “journey” of self-discovery in a haven of rejuvenation. Saturday Our morning starts at Rumah Batik Komar at Jl. Cigadung Raya Timur I/5.
Photos courtesy of Hilton Bandung
Accompanied by the owner, we see the skilled artisans producing beautiful batik. There is no polyester or printed batik here; impressive. I purchase a charming handmade shirt with the colorful, undulating megamendung pattern of Cirebon. We then drive to Burgundy Dine & Wine, located in the Dago foothills. You can
dine indoors or outside (opt for the latter if the weather is good), as it has breathtaking scenery to drink in as you sip a glass of red or white. Food and service are good; the waiters know their wines. Next on the itinerary is Saung Anglung Mang Udjo, a one-stop cultural workshop with a performance venue, bamboo handicraft center and bamboo instrument workshop. I quickly realize why it comes highly recommended by the hotel. Tired but happy, we tuck into the barbecue feast at the Purnawarman. As my soul-enriching journey comes to its inevitable close, I read one of the notes from Hilbie, the hotel mascot. “Close your eyes ... save all these sweet memories in your heart, think of all beautiful things in your life and surrender yourself to sweet dreams ... good night and sweet journeys ...” Words to remember.
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well Being
good VS bad eating
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K now i ng Why You Eat
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Why do you eat? And how do you plan your food intake?
Words Mitch Felipe Mendoza / The Philippine Inquirer / ANN
What is the difference between a healthy person and an unhealthy person when it comes to eating? Aside from the amount and quality of food they eat, they have different motivations and reasons when it comes to eating. A healthy person eats to improve the quality of life and health, while an unhealthy person eats to satisfy desires, the senses and even to please other people. I often hear some exercise buffs say, “I am working out so I can eat whatever I want.” Then I try to figure out if I still stick to my old belief, “I eat so I can exercise to stay fit and healthy. I eat so that I can move more and therefore, do more things and maximize my day.” If you associate food with everything you do, to find more and more reasons to eat—for instance, you train for a marathon so you can pig out after training, or watch a movie so you can eat unlimited popcorn— then it will really be a great challenge to improve your weight and health in the long term. You can resist food obsession and temptations if you associate food mainly with being healthy and having a good quality of life. Think about your health so you can end your obsession or issues with food. Set your health goal/s: Your goal can be to improve your health and lifestyle by eating sensibly, increasing your daily movement and getting enough rest and sleep. If you have these sensible lifestyle goals, it will be easier to find the right reasons to eat.
Photos: AFP
3) You eat something as a habit like eating chips while watching TV after dinner. 4) You eat to please others, to show love, or to conform — like finishing a huge amount of high-calorie dinner prepared by your wife just to please her. And these are the health- and fitnessrelated reasons you can always think of when eating: 1) You eat so you can have enough energy to move more and exercise so that you can improve your fitness level, sports, manage weight, burn extra calories and fat. 2) You eat because you want to have a good recovery that will help build muscles and improve your metabolism. 3) You eat so that you can satisfy your hunger and so that you will not overeat in your next meal. 4) You eat because you want to improve your health and strengthen your immune system.
Recognize that the following examples should not be considered as main reasons for eating: 1) You eat to satisfy your cravings and emotions, such as comforting yourself with a box of all-meat pizza after an argument with your boyfriend.
5)You eat because you want to improve the quality of your lifestyle so you can live longer.
2) You eat just because the food is readily available and accessible, like you can easily grab a chocolate bar because you have a stock of food in your bedroom.
Develop self-awareness and think of health-related reasons for your eating. Try your best to write down everything that you will eat starting today and at the end of the day, identify your usual reasons for eating each food or meal. For example: Fried chicken and white rice. Reasons for eating: available, craving for crunchy chicken skin, stressed at work. After a day or two of writing and analyzing reasons for eating, go back to your health goals. Find health-related reasons for eating each of your meals. You can also think of secondary reasons like enjoying the meal with the whole family or getting excited to try a new restaurant with your spouse so that you can make each meal a pleasant experience.
Breakfast — To be able to physically and mentally function well at the very start of the day. Morning snack — To avoid hunger pangs. Lunch — To continue to function well at work. Snack — To have pre-workout snack that will energize me during my run training this afternoon and to avoid overeating at dinner. Dinner/post-workout meal — To have an effective recovery after the exercise and complete my daily food requirement.
6) You eat to make sure you have the most needed nutrients that will help improve your daily function at work and at home.
PARENTING what is going on internally at home. “In a way, they have the emotions but they don’t have the proper psychological means of support to process what’s going on. “In younger children, it could manifest in stomach pains and physical aches. It affects each child differently. Older kids, either they might not be interested in what they used to like and the more outgoing ones might behave more erratically – be more angry, throw tantrums,” she says.
Dealing with a
violent CHILD A child with violent tendencies often has other problems. Violence is their way of acting out and asking for help.
WORDS BRIGITTE ROZARIO The Star/ANN/KUALA LUMPUR
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sychologist and family marriage therapist Ivy Tan says violence could mean hitting, punching or even emotional and verbal abuse. It could also lead to injury and death in some cases. Violence is any act that causes emotional, psychological or physical harm. For some people, it could be short term because of what they are going through. If they seek help, the violence might decrease and stop. Root cause Who are children violent against? It could be violence against parents, peers or even animals. “Anyone or anything they might want to intentionally harm. We need to look at what is the purpose. Is there a motive? Do they intentionally want to create discomfort to the person or animal?” Do such cases start from small? “It doesn’t necessarily begin anywhere. It begins whenever the person experiences dysfunction. It could be a child mirroring the parents arguing or any incidents of domestic violence,” says Tan. She explains that a child picks up on the negative vibes and actions that he or she sees in everyday life. “If the child is already in a violent family relationship – he might see his father hitting the mother – the child might react by hitting others because it looks like it’s OK for dad to hit mum and mum doesn’t react. The kid might not understand that it’s not right to hit another person or an animal. Mum didn’t react, so that means it’s correct. It’s not processed. So, when the child goes out thinking that’s normal, they will repeat the actions they see happen at home. “It includes yelling and shouting, emotional abuse, psychological abuse and bullying. All this is a form of violence.
Photos: AFP, JP/PJ Leo
The intention is to cause harm. When you receive those negative vibes, you get stressed out,” explains Tan. Or it could begin later when the child is in school. It could be that they had a good childhood but without proper guidance when growing up. As a young adult they could be caught in between and find that they don’t fit in in school or society; they are neither here nor there. “They may not have control of what’s going on at home. But, when they join a gang, that’s where they find a sense of belonging and family. This is where they are supported and they get control,” says Tan. She explains that it could happen any time. There is no way to pinpoint when it begins because it’s different according to the individual, says Tan. According to her, children could be at a point where they may not be able to emotionally express themselves. “That’s where they are out to find a sense of belonging and a place where they are respected. Typically, if there is a marital conflict at home and the kids are affected, they may develop low self-esteem. Things like this are stressors that cause distress and it may manifest in the child behaving very aggressively outside, trying to express
Who is at risk? Children from troubled homes. Children who can’t adapt to the system (school or society). Children who are themselves victims. Bullies. Children who have witnessed violence. Does playing violent videogames factor into the situation by making a child violent? Tan says research shows playing violent games affects the child in the short term, although long-term effects are unknown. She advises parents to monitor and practice moderation so that the kids do not become obsessed with playing violent games. What can parents do? If parents realize that their child has violent tendencies, they should be supportive so that the child knows that no matter where they are and what they do that they can always come back to you. In addition, parents should: Keep the communication channels open; Maintain calmness and try to understand what the trigger was and work it out with them; Check who they are role modeling from their environment; Find out who are their friends and what are their activities; and Trust them and give them room to prove they are worthy of that trust. “There are times when the kids may not want to come to you but be open to talking to them, manage your reactions so that they will talk to you. Don’t accuse them immediately when you sense something is wrong or if they make a mistake,” advises Tan. According to her, parents may remove bad role models from a child’s life, but if the child doesn’t understand the reasons behind it, he will keep going back to the bad role model.
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Crossing
ENTERTAINMENT
Movies can also make a difference in bringing about social change, or at least raising eyebrows.
Words Bruce Emond
On the razor’s edge in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
Warmest Color. Hollywood, however, treads carefully in addressing controversial themes. Here are several movies which, in their own way, took on traditional taboos long before Miley Cyrus started rubbing people the wrong way.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967).
Comes across as severely dated today – young, upper-middle class white woman brings back home her black fiancee, shocking her parents – but it meant a lot way back, when America was still reeling from the race riots and desegregation battles. Still, there is a big “so what?” factor at play, with Sidney Poitier’s
Jon Voight, before he became better known as Angelina Jolie’s dad, works the streets in Midnight Cowboy.
Perhaps Sharon Stone is wondering what she forgot to put on this morning.
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Photos: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Pictures, Jerome Hellman Productions, United Artists, Films A2, Carolco Pictures, Focus Features
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everal years ago, I wrote about the consternation over the same-sex kiss in the movie Arisan. The fact that both actors involved (Surya Saputra and Tora Sudiro) were married and decidedly heterosexual did nothing to quell the shrieks, screams and gagging noises that rang out in theaters as the two men came to grips, rather furtively and unconvincingly in hindsight. As I wrote back then, mainstream movies defined by ground-breaking themes can push the envelope, either to a better, more tolerant, progressive society, or in sending us to hell in a hand basket, depending on your perspective. Ten years later, the nation has dealt with assorted scandals – a serial killer preying on gay men, including at least one married man, a purloined sex video of two of the nation’s most famous stars that became de rigeur viewing for all – that have forced it to confront a few previously closeted realities. Now, it seems, a bit of “settingan” (staging) of a compromising position or wardrobe malfunction is a strategic means to breathe some life into a flagging career, although Janet Jackson may have a thing or two to say about that. Last year, several movies dealt with pertinent social issues; there is also the Oscar-nominated Act of Killing, which has brought out the skeletons from the closet in a dark chapter in Indonesia’s history, and the critically acclaimed French coming-of-age lesbian drama Blue is the
the Line
ENTERTAINMENT
character being much too good to be true. The baffling secret of its success must also have something to do with its glaring sentimentality, too, with a rather infirm Spencer Tracy making it through his last movie, helped to no end by Katherine Hepburn (the real love of his life), who somehow won an Oscar.
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Despite the critical beating that director John Schlesinger has taken in recent years, this is an unforgettable movie, with haunting New York locales the backdrop for the tale of two losers finding friendship but no happy ending. Only X-rated movie to win Best Picture Oscar – the cowboy character beats up on an old lech in a seedy hotel room and shoves a phone receiver (very symbolic) down his throat; makes love to a middle-aged matron; goes to a psychedelic drug party – but would be more likely to get an R rating today.
Stolen glances in The Lover No guessing required for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Women in Love (1969)
Deathtrap (1982)
Director Ken Russell is over the top at the best of times – check out his later film, The Music Lovers, a biopic of Tchaikovsky, with the ghastly sight of the composer’s spurned wife, played by Glenda Jackson, getting fondled as she squats over a grille at a mental home. Jackson is here again, in Russell’s adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence novel, but it’s the Alan Bates-Oliver Reed nude wrestling scene in front of the fireplace that got critics and audiences riled up. A bit of full frontal male nudity was a rarity back then, and remains so today.
Stagey movie, adapted from a long-running Broadway whodunit, has one head-turning moment: Michael Caine plants a kiss on the lips of Christopher Reeves. It’s a very wooden smooch at that and, similar to the publicity hype for Arisan, Caine and Reeves went to great pains to recount that they needed to share a big bottle of whisky before they could get into the moment (“”we’re heterosexual, dammit””).
The Lover (1992)
Last Tango in Paris (1972)
Marlon Brando, running to fat but not quite there yet, is the widower who embarks on a steamy love affair with a despondent young woman in Paris. In the city of romance, they get down and dirty, including finding a nontraditional use for a stick of butter. Ooh la la; one critic called this “”salacious, sexist and soporific””, but, with big Marlon laying it all out there, it certainly opened people’s eyes.
Pretty Baby (1978)
This still has a very big “ick” factor preceding it, which kind of overshadows the fact that it was made by acclaimed French director Louis Malle and has young Susan Sarandon to boot. But the spectacle of a preteen Brooke Shields posing naked, even if she looks like Boticelli’s Venus, was not about to endear Malle to critics or the viewing public – and with the proliferation of child pornography in the Internet age will strike some as even more distasteful and disturbing more than 35 years on.
The Hunger (1982)
Too stylish for its own good, this tale of a trio of vampires on the prowl in New York City has a graphic love scene between Catherine Deneuve and Sarandon (who is also
memorable for her cold lemon rinds from the fridge scene in Atlantic City the previous year). With the sinister presence of David Bowie in the mix, it raised eyebrows but didn’t cause any riots in the United States for the simple reasons that Sarandon was not quite a marquee name, Bowie is always a bit suspect and Deneuve is ... well, she’s French.
Brokeback Mountain features some not so lonesome cowboys
mainstream movies defined by groundbreaking themes can push the envelope, either to a better society, or send us to hell in a hand basket
In a big year for historical movies set in colonial Vietnam, The Lover was always going to come off second best to the megawatt star power of Indochine and Madame Deneuve. But the adaptation of Marguerite Duras’ novel is a ground-breaker in having a Eurasian actress (Jane March, who is part English and Chinese-Vietnamese) fall in love and lust with an Asian actor (Tony Leung Ka Fai). It was a love that dare not speak its name, at least in Hollywood, although Hollywood producers and western audiences were perfectly fine with having Asian women in relationships with Caucasian men from way back.
Basic Instinct (1992)
In a film with something to offend almost everyone, lipstick lesbian Catherine (Stone) – OK, she’s kind of bisexual but she’s very, very stylish – lets it all hang out during a police interrogation. Somehow escaped the censors in these parts, too; remember watching it in the old, quaintly run-down Jakarta Theater, and the buzz that ensued after Ms. Stone got very comfortable in her hot seat. I dare say it was a sight that even scared the rats who used to gather on the speakers in the theater. Perhaps it was not really a game changer – OK, it was not – except in showing the truth behind Mom’s advice to wear clean underwear.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Ang Lee’s love story, revealing that even cowboys and their boyfriends get the blues, was highly anticipated for the passionate clinch between Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger. It may seem relatively tame eight years on, after more and more celebrity coming out stories (Jodie, what took you so long?) and Glee bringing the issue of teen sexual identity into living rooms around the world, but at the time it was a shocker akin to viewing Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman appearing together, and in the all together, in 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie say a bloodthirsty bon appetit in The Hunger
A friend gasps out loud when he recounts watching this complex, emotionally exhausting film and how it pushed cinema’s sexual boundaries. There are graphic rape scenes and rampant nudity, especially from female lead Rooney Mara. The 21st century’s answer to 9 1/2 Weeks in the 1980s, but on a whole grittier level of sexual exploration and, for some, exploitation.
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firm favorites
At Ease
Vanity Case
Favorite Movie The Sound of Music, my old-time favorite. Music: ‘80s, classic and easy listening. Book: Biographies and any books with lots of pictures (I don’t have lots of time). Dinner spot : Altitude. Hangout haunt: Clouds. Breakfast or Brunch (and where) : Bistro Baron. Sweet treat: French macaron. Shop: Where else? Plaza Indonesia! Casual wear: Zara, Biasa. Favorite coffee corner Now 1/15. Must have household appliance: Blender, food processor, electric oven and anything in the kitchen!
Indulgences Watch: Rolex. Accessories & jewelry: Tiffany. Car: Simple and easy Japanese car. Designer label: Ralph Lauren, Missoni, Maxmara.
Lipstick: Any brands, from Maybelline to Bobbi Brown and Chanel.
Of Brands & Bistros
Must-have makeup: Lipstick & eyeliner. Mascara: L’Oreal. Skin Care & Moisturizer: SK II.
When you look at the capital’s towering Central Jakarta skyline, you may be eyeing some of the marketing handiwork of Dinna Muskita. With more than two decades’ experience in the property industry, she is the general manager of Plaza Indonesia, with her tasks also extending to The Plaza office tower, Keraton Private Residence and a major development at Jababeka City. “In whatever field you work, everything you do must be done with passion and, thanks to my past experience, I’ve been able to keep apace,” said the mother of two and wife of lawyer Bara Muskita. + Hanna Nabila
Shampoo: Anything herbal. Shower gel: Anything fresh. Fragrance: Tiffany, Joe Malone, Chanel and Hermès.
Connections Camera: I borrow my husband’s. Cell phone: iPhone 5.
Biggest splurge: Bags and shoes. Artworks: I love the work of Jeihan, Sudjojono, Lee Man Fong and Erica. Luggage: Rimowa.
Bags: I love them all! Dior, Celine, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Balenciaga, Mulberry and Reed Krakoff.
Where I get my hair done: Anywhere. Gemstones Diamonds and pearls. Travel destination Beach. On my wish list are Bhutan and Raja Ampat.
And of my dreams: Nothing at the moment.
Social media faves: Path, Instagram. Laptop: Samsung Ativ 9.
talk of the town LAUNCH OF ROTARY TIMEPIECES More than 30 members of the media witnessed the official Indonesian launching of renowned UK timepiece brand Rotary at Altitude The Plaza in Central Jakarta. During the Jan. 24 event, Rotary’s owner Robert Dreyfuss shared details about his ongoing campaign with popular English soccer club Chelsea to make inroads in the Indonesian market.
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