VOL. 1 NO. 1 I OCTOBER 20-26, 2013
YOUR WEEKLY LIFESTYLE SUPPLEMENT
TABLE OF FRIENDS
A FRIENDLY CHAT ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA! WANDERLUST
CAPTIVATED BY CROATIA TREND DIAL
ON THE RUN TOGETHER WITH TRIATHLONS
can we talk?
SARAH SECHAN OPENS UP ABOUT HOSTING HER OWN TALK SHOW
Noted in passing PLUS POINTS WELCOME TO JPlus, the latest product in The Jakarta Post’s portfolio. You and all our valued readers will receive it every Sunday along with your regular Sunday Post broadsheet edition; this full-color publication will also enjoy a “longer life” as it will be distributed in restaurants, cafes and other lifestyle hangouts during the week. As our cover tagline states, JPlus is an entirely lifestyle supplement, with a mix of personalities, fashion, restaurants, travel, well being and beauty – all the good things that round out and enrich our lives. We want it to be easy and relaxed reading without, of course, scrimping on the adherence to quality that The Jakarta Post is renowned for. Call it an amiable and enlightening conversation between friends (which you will find on the opposite page). Among its plus points, we hope the attractive layout and varied contents will help foster a greater sense of community among our readers, and also garner the important support of our advertisers as The Jakarta Post continues into its 31st year of existence. So, please flip through the edition, read on and be part of our weekend conversation. Happy Sunday! Bruce Emond Editor, Supplements and Supplemental Products
Check List
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Modern life’s stresses take their toll on our hearts. Medical experts give their advice on the best ways to keep tickers in tip-top shape.
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Our air is becoming increasingly polluted and dangerous to health. All the information you need to breathe easier.
ON THE COVER Sarah Sechan Photo Meutia Ananda I Photo Assistant Keshia Safitri I Stylist Willy Wilson I MUA Ade Martha
JPlus Team Editor Bruce Emond I bruce@thejakartapost.com Deputy Editor Willy Wilson Graphic Designer Budhi Hartono Copy Editor Imogen Badgery-Parker 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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MARK MY WORDS
Our New Social Skills Do you Tweet like there is no tomorrow? Share shamelessly on Instagram? Take the Path? And show good face(s) on Facebook?
SOME OF MY friends take pride in declaring they eschew all social media, although I am a bit skeptical about their supposed lack of even an FB account, long the social media of choice in Indonesia. After FB came Twitter. I know people who branched out into digital agencies, or what I call the “Twitter pimp”, using their expertise to choose the best of the Twitterati to represent their clients, brands and campaigns. Many complain the blue bird has lost its flare, sincerity and personal touch with business coming in. True – because it is accessible to all and sundry, it also draws annoying blabbing from intellectually challenged followers. But I have to confess the money-making ideas are very sexy. Celebrities and nobodies who dress up nicely and diligently take selfies at every opportunity are in their element on Instagram. Path is for intimate communication – pictures, music, videos or just words – to 150 of your closest friends. Even my friends who were social media holdouts gave in to meet me in Path. Pure awesomeness! It’s clear that Indonesians are crazy about this social media thingy, spawning a new cultural phenomenon. Oh, how we love the attention. For instance, a meal is no longer simply a meal. We take photos of every dish we eat, then post it; the retweets and heart symbols are our own personal sustenance. Forget about dinner and conversation – it’s the feedback on our photos we are hungry for. We also “check in”, letting the world know we are having the time of our lives – with our gadgets. Let’s just hope burglars are not keeping tabs on our whereabouts. We determine the best angle for selfies, and have found the perfect app to edit them to look like we just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Hence the new popular jargon of “tongsis” (tongkat narsis), the stick holding your gadget as an extension
of your arm to capture your precious face, and “duckface”, that cute facial expression featuring a pout and a squint. It has cross-generational appeal; pre-teens, adults and grannies alike have all perfected their pouts. Social media does indeed seem to be making us less social, and socially adept. As in every madness, rules and norms are flouted. Nobody has set a limit on how many selfies one should put on Path or the number of random outbursts allowable or explained how to elegantly retweet compliments about oneself. We, the newly digitalized human race, are guided only by our rapidly disappearing concept of humility. I know of one woman who posted images from cooking websites on her Path. I am alternately maddened by and sympathetic to a woman who shares her intellectual musings with the world every five minutes. Forgive me for assuming she is deeply insecure around her friends or that her husband is a real jerk and she cannot share with him. Her self-absorption is nothing compared to a friend of a friend of mine: 10 selfies up in the morning, seven by lunch and at least another 10 before bed time. No matter how much you love that friend, you are going to feel just a tad sick of them by the end of that onslaught, right? Then again, it’s your personal space, so say, do and post whatever your heart desires. But don’t take it personally when someone unfollows or unshares you now. Please, go ahead and share this column on social media. Let’s see if I get any hearts in the bargain! +Melissa Karim
table of FRIENDS
Social Media SNIPPETS
@ReneCC
In the first installment of our regular column, these five urbanites describe their complicated relationship with social media. Some can’t live with it, and others can’t live without it. @mrshananto
I like the idea that the public can compare notes and discuss various things in social media. I tweet consistently about financial planning, which I hope can be useful for other people. When it comes to sharing my private moments with close friends, I rely on Path. But I can only maintain one at a time; I have never been good at juggling social media platforms. I also use social media to keep in touch with old friends and network with new friends. The other day a lecturer from Australia found me on Facebook. He invited me to attend a conference in China. As for meeting people with the same interests, there’s nothing better than social media. I recently tweeted about my business trips, and that I’m an avid runner. Thanks to @IndoRunners, I soon found running buddies throughout my trips.
@zoyaamirin
For most Indonesians I know, image-building has become a negative term. It’s like awful, fake personas that are using alter egos on social media. For me, social media is essentially an image-building exercise, which psychologically pushes us to create a public persona for ourselves. I am an active user of Instagram, Google Plus and LinkedIn (Fine! I also had a Friendster account many, many moons ago). Twitter? It is the wild, wild west out there in Twitterland; it makes you vulnerable and lovable at the same time. You must carefully measure how much you want people to know about your personal and professional lives on Twitter. I have two FB accounts. One is for the public to see me as a psychologist (yup, serious image-building strategies can be found here), and the other is for personal use (which is basically about me, me and more me!). But I must admit that my real sanctuary is Path, whose system gives me total control over whom I share my virtual life with (bye mean and boring peeps). Path is like a visual diary. Although I do share my emotions on Twitter and Facebook (not advisable), I can sleep well knowing that whatever I share on Path remains on Path.
@iwetramadhan
Dear Social Media, I LOVE YOU! I’m using the benefits of social media to the fullest! I tweet, I post beautiful photos on Instagram, I share my daily thoughts on Path (it is comforting to know that I have an online venue to share my thoughts with my closest friends, which I lovingly call sahaPath). I also blog occasionally on Tumblr. I tried to make a 6-second animated video on Vine, but I gave it up because it was simply too complicated. Did I tell you that I get great dinner deals and free holiday because of my social media activities? Unsurprisingly, I was recently appointed Digital Brand Ambassador. Yup, I milked my social media savvy down to the last drop. There are a lot of things that we can do with social media, including changing the world for the better.
Social media? Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it. We have so many social media platforms to choose from but my top three would be Twitter, Path and Instagram. Twitter connects me with many cool new friends. It’s one great example of how we Indonesians managed to hijack Western technology for our own insatiable social needs. You can choose who to follow, who to mute – and who to unfollow. That serves me well. Folback (follow back) please. Path – exclusively for the inner circle. You can be a little bit more transparent here. But beware: things can get rather obscene and wild here. Instagram – I wish I had Edward Suhadi’s talent for capturing moments. But this platform certainly makes the images I take look better. What about the rest of the social media? Facebook? Forget it. I don’t know most of my FB “friends”. And my mom is a Facebook citizen. Not cool. LinkedIn? Way too serious for me, but I have to admit that it can be useful at times. The rest are not even worth mentioning.
@edwardsuhadi
Has it ever occurred to you that your Facebook timeline is looking a lot like a wall of achievements – all thanks to your fellow Facebook citizens who post every little good thing in their life for you to notice? Indeed, if there’s one thing that is extraordinary about the social media phenomenon, it is that it teaches us to look at who does what. And let’s admit it: our friends’ well-publicized achievements often leave us green with envy. But if it is any consolation, think of the social media as the edited version of life, and not life itself. And let’s not forget about our real life, as there are a lot of things for us to be thankful for.
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TALKING THE TALK SARAH SECHAN IS SHOWING HER LIGHTER SIDE ON HER TV TALK SHOW, AND FINDING HAPPINESS OFF CAMERA. WORDS BRUCE EMOND I PHOTOS MEUTIA ANANDA
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arah Sechan received several offers to host TV talk shows over the years, but until recently, nothing was to her liking. In contrast to the trend in Indonesian talk shows – with their cheesy gimmicks and straight-man sidekicks – the former MTV Asia VJ’s list of talk-show icons included singer-comedian Tika Panggabean, the late Indra Safera and Oprah Winfrey. Yet she could not follow their leads. Indra, she says, had a special gift for getting people to open up – “If I did that I would just come off as nosy” – but neither would Oprah’s heart-on-her-sleeve approach work for Sarah, who is known for being protective of her privacy and not suffering fools gladly. But when NET, the new news, lifestyle and entertainment channel, offered a different program concept, Sarah was up for the challenge. “I’ve always wanted to do a talk show, but nothing serious, like politics or the economy. I wanted it to be fun, so people come home, take a break for an hour and enjoy it,” she says, adding that she felt entirely at home with the young, dynamic vibe of the new station, founded by former Trans TV executive director
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Wishnutama. In keeping with her wishes, the nightly Sarah Sechan show is a feel-good, lighthearted mix of celebrity interviews, segments with precociously talented kids and the host’s deliberately ironic persona of inflated statements about her looks and talents. She likes to put her guests in funny, if sometimes uncomfortable, situations. She scared the living daylights out of radio host and friend Indy Barends with fake snakes and coaxed veteran actress Jajang C. Noer into doing an impromptu rap. Although NET is in its early days, Sarah’s show is attracting Jakarta’s urban viewers, who can also catch the reruns on YouTube. The program recently celebrated the broadcast of its 100th show. Its homey set and talk show-variety format have sparked comparisons to The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In fact, Sarah says, many have tried to style her as Indonesia’s answer to the US queen of gab. “Nearly everyone who offered me a talk show was like, ‘ooh, we’ll make it like Ellen’. Well, Ellen is Ellen, I like her, she’s entertaining, but I’m not her. And when I first was in meetings with NET, they also mentioned Ellen, and I wanted to say, ‘If you stop saying Ellen, I’ll do it for you. It’s Sarah here’.”
cover STORY Fun Times Sarah, who spend many of her formative years in the US and Europe, first became known in the mid-1990s as a tad sarcastic, world-weary-beyond-her-years VJ on the newly started MTV Asia. As well as hosting TV shows and emceeing gigs, she later worked as an editor at CosmoGirl and made several movies. But she says fronting the talk show has been her biggest challenge. “I was happy they were giving me the show, without a sidekick, but I was so nervous. It’s not MTV, where you’re just talking about music and playing videos. Here I am meeting different kinds of people and talking about different kinds of stuff. I consider myself anti-social: I don’t have an arisan group and my friends are the same ones that I have had for years,” she says. “But I am lucky that I have the support of a great creative team, and also that the segments are not too long ... I still have so much to learn, but I am learning as I go.” Although Wishnutama told her to just be herself, she decided to tone down her usual sarcasm – “My friends and other people may get it, but some people may be sitting there thinking, ‘what’s she’s talking about?’” She has shown the naysayers that she
“I CONSIDER MYSELF ANTI-SOCIAL. I DON’T HAVE AN ‘ARISAN’ GROUP AND MY FRIENDS ARE THE SAME ONES I’VE HAD FOR YEARS” could do lighter entertainment and be a considerate host, especially when dealing with her younger guests. To use her trademark expression, she is kece (cool). “I’m 39, I’m mature but not so old yet, and I still want to have fun. I want to interview the girls from Cherrybelle, the boys from SM*SH, but I also want to interview [Trade Minister] Gita Wirjawan to find out what he is about.” But all that talking is not easy. “Getting information from people and also being entertaining is really tiring. I go home and I just want to meditate. You have to be in a good mood all the time.” Son Shine Although the show is a priority, Sarah says her 9-year-old son, Rajata, always takes precedence in her plans. In fact, she says she wants her show to be “something that my friends can watch, and that will also be positive for my son to view”. She has tried to organize the shooting schedule so that she can spend time with him. While she is away from home, Rajata has the run of the house, ordering pizza
and playing video games. She admits to some lingering singlemother guilt after she and Rajata’s father, Emir Hakim, divorced two years ago. “I’ll still ask him, ‘Are you happy?’ ‘Yes, I’m happy, Mom’. And then I’ll ask, ‘Do you ever wish Mommy and Daddy would get back together?’ ‘I’m happy that I have two homes to go to,’ he says. And it’s good that Emir is a very positive person and doesn’t
talk about the past. I’m the more dramatic one,” Sarah says. “Divorce is tough but there wasn’t anything dramatic involved, we went our separate ways. We communicate because of Rajata, and that is fine.” She has a new boyfriend, an American chiropractor working in Jakarta, who has become a new BFF for her son, sharing basketball trivia and movies and playing Lego.
“I’m very happy with him. With this relationship we can sit together, have a drink, laugh and joke together. He’s my friend, which is something different from the usual relationship roles.” Is marriage on the cards? “We want to take our time. We talk about it, but just like doing the talk show – when the time is right, it happens. You can’t force it.”
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A la MODE
NOTHING TO HIDE Say hello to sheer good looks as fashion proudly bares all. WORDS WILLY WILSON
Calling For Transparency GOOD, QUALITY undergarments could very well be your best fashion investments over the next seven months. New York Fashion Week saw both established and up-and-coming designers sending crisp, romantic and well-tailored pieces down the runway, replacing the gothic-inspired, lace-dominated dresses of the previous season. The key trends set by New York designers are triangular cutouts, see-through blouses and transparent bits in unexpected parts, as seen at such shows as Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein, BCBG Max Azria, Richard Chai and DKNY. This clear-cut trend was also spotted a tthe subsequent London Fashion Week, where Tom Ford, Paul Smith, Burberry and British fashion’s latest wunderkind J.W. Anderson showcased delicate and airy garments in sheer materials.
Crystal Clear
Victoria Beckham Spring/ Summer 2014
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Burberry Spring/ Summer 2014
BCBG Max Azria Spring/Summer 2014
CORUM’S INTERESTING and iconic Golden Bridge watch that features a long and thin mechanical movement now comes in a black ceramic case. The watch is actually designed for men, but its elegant chrysta- and-ceramic case makes it easy for women to pull it off. The Golden Bridge mechanism, with its linear construction, was launched in 1980 and quickly became an industry icon. The stunning visual effect and the handsome crocodile leather strap aside, this watch has artistic details that make it a valuable collector’s item – the hand-engraved Corum signature, flanked by a scrolling motif depicting three types of ferns that grow in La Chaux-de-Fonds forests (the region where the Golden Bridge design was born). But if you reckon that the Golden Bridge is more suited for him, then save up and get yourself the diaomind-encrusted Titanium Bridge Lady. A horizontal watch, the Ti-Bridge Lady is adorned by sleek white ceramics and exquisite sapphire chrystal case. It also features the dial-free architecture, which is unique to the Bridge collection.
Photos: AP, Corum, Giavinto Rossi, Lanvin Plaza Indonesia, A. Lange & Söhne
A la MODE
Head Over Heels SHOE DESIGNER Giavinto Rossi counts actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Bergdorf Goodman’s Linda Fargo, Vogue’s Rickie De Sole and the newly minted Lucky Magazine editor Eva Chen as fans. His visit to the Big Apple during September’s fashion week bonanza was greeted with enthusiasm by well-heeled Manhattan ladies who lunch. Only a few weeks earlier, Rossi, 42, was in Jakarta to launch his brand at On Pedder boutique, Plaza Indonesia. Local fashion lovers also went gaga for his sexy, classic and understated collection. We caught up with the Italian shoe designer over tea. Tell us what it was like growing up with legendary shoe designer Sergio Rossi as a father. I grew up in a small town called San Mauro Pascoli, a seaside town next to Rimini. This is where my father ran his business. Our family house was on top of the shoe factory, and I considered the factory was my playground. I joined the family business after finishing high school. I worked for him for about 20 years, before he sold the company to the Gucci group. I then launched my own shoe line in 2006. How would you describe your brand? Modern, elegant and feminine. I like to think of shoes as frames, and women as artworks. As a
rule of thumb, shoes must not overshadow women. Therefore, I favor classc shapes and silhouettes in my design. How do you think your classic line will fare in the Asian market? The understanding of luxury products is an acquired skill. People in general, whether in Asia or elsewhere, tend to think that the more expensive a product the better the quality it has – but that’s not always true. The essence of luxury products lies in the appreciation of the intangible values – the creativity, design precision, material selection and fitting. What do you think of the Asian market? I think Asian women are experimental and expressive when it comes to fashion. The young Asians seem to be very interested in fashion, and I like the way they approach fashion. What type of shoes do you think are a must in every woman’s closet? Stilettos pumps because they give a woman a better posture. What’s your father’s best piece of advice? Never be satisfied — there is always a way to do it better.
Lanvin Fall/Winter 2013
Supersize Men PLAZA INDONESIA Men’s Fashion Week opened with a sleek yet playful 2013 Fall/Winter collection by Lanvin. Let’s just say the collection was uncharacteristically generous in its proportion, a far cry from the usual form fitting numbers the brand showcased in previous seasons. It was a feast of silhouettes, with softer jacket shoulders, baggier pants and boxier suit cut. The over-scaled double breasted coat was a key piece in the collection, calling for modern men to experiement with fashion. There was an almost sloppy quality in the pieces – the type of nonchalant design style Alber Elbaz has been forging in the women’s collection for years. While it was certainly an unorthodox men’s collection, it was also refreshing to see something new and different.
German Engineering A. LANGE & SÖHNE isn’t the most fashionable luxury watch brand, but it has enticed watch lovers for over a century with its unsurpassed precision, which is rather appropriate considering its German origins. The 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is the house’s most legendary piece. With meticulously calculated horology, the watch combines a rattrapante (split seconds) chronograph with a perpetual calender. If that’s not enough, it also throws in a pair of power reserve function and moon phase. Yup, a moon phase. The mechanical superiority (another thing that Germans know best) makes this watch a durable one; apparently, you won’t need to correct the timing until the year 2100. The lunar display too promises accuracy for the next 122 years. The watch comprises 631 mechanical parts, 211 of which are dedicated to the perpetual calendar alone. All that magic is kept within a 14.7 mm thick case with 41.9 mm diameter.
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well BEING
her Raw Deal
WINE EXPERT SIMONE BALDWIN COMES CLEAN ON BECOMING A RAW FOOD ADHERENT AND CHEF. WORDS KINDRA COOPER I PHOTOS RICKY YUDHISTIRA
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aw food-ism, a wholly plant based regimen, avoids heating any ingredient past a threshold of 45 degrees Celsius, above which enzyme function – crucial for digestion and nutrient absorption – plateaus and then drops. Simone Baldwin went raw cold turkey three years ago. The 41-year-old says the purist “no-heat” approach of raw cuisine applies equally well to salads as to bread (which is ‘baked’ in a dehydrator for 12-16 hours or in a fan-forced oven), desserts and even burger patties, which Baldwin makes using dehydrated ground almonds, cashews, pumpkins and sesame seeds. Meanwhile, soups are made from vegetable purée and served cold, while the raw version of chocolate mousse derives its fluffiness from avocado instead of whipped cream. The business development manager for a local wine importer, a nine-year resident of Jakarta, consumes an average of 60 percent raw food. Feeling good, she says, “is a full-time job”. The Australian extols the cascade effect of a clearer mind, stable moods, boosted energy levels and higher self-esteem from her new approach to eating. People may doubt that they would be able to stick to a raw food diet. When you have a taste of waking up feeling amazing every day, why would you go back to feeling lethargic and sluggish and bloated and have poor digestion and poor sleep? So that’s why for me it was such an eye-opener, an epiphany. The more you start fueling yourself with this natural food, your body just kind of recalibrates and it just says Wow, I actually just really need to thrive on ‘this’. And ‘this’
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might just be a repertoire of different fruit and veggies. My diet’s really simple now. What do you tell the participants in your classes on raw foodism? I encourage people to just try. Just take the bits that you like and always follow what your body is telling you. Isn’t preparing raw food time consuming? When I’m working, I bring my food in three separate containers, one for raw soup, the second for salad and another for a treat such as raw chocolate or ice cream. Raw foodies simplify their repertoire so much because they’re time-poor, so you just throw together a salad. Your veggies are already washed and they’re basically ready to go. To chop up a few items and throw it into a plastic bag takes five minutes. The extra time you take to prepare a few extra dishes, you gain that time in the less sleep that you need and the increase in energy that you get.” And isn’t it more expensive to go raw? I started out with a knife, a blender and a desire to know more. I’ve definitely saved money – because vegetables aren’t expensive whereas a slab of salmon is. And a slab of imported tenderloin is expensive … but when you can get great fruits and vegetables that are locally grown and they’re organic then definitely you’ll save money. Do you see more people eating healthy? People are making a move toward more whole foods, whether that be meat or dairy or seafood or plant. But definitely toward eating food that’s not gone through thousands of different chemical processes to get to where it is. Unpackaged food – that’s where I see the trend going toward.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
THE FRENZIED PACE OF URBAN LIFE IS SOMETHING MOST OF US ARE ACCUSTOMED TO,BUT IT MAY BE PLAYING HAVOC WITH OUR HEARTS.
CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGISTS Drs. Reginald Liew and Rohit Khurana from Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore believe several stressful aspects of urban living are major contributors to the rising prevalence of heart diseases, specifically a high-fat, high-sodium diet; smoking; lack of exercise and being overweight. We all know of the importance of healthy diet, yet we succumb to the convenience of precooked and processed foods. If cooking yourself is not an option, select healthier options such as non-fried foods and fruits and vegetables. While research shows that enjoying a glass of wine after work can have health benefits, be sure to keep track of those “happy hours”. Overconsumption can lead to increased blood pressure, obesity and heart rhythm disturbances, which in turn leads to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. While we need some stress to motivate us in life, prolonged levels can affect our health, both physically and mentally. Adopt healthy stress management techniques – exercise, meditation and even having someone to talk to. Negative coping techniques – emotional eating, smoking. Drinking – on the other hand, can cause longterm health problems. At high risk are overweight individuals,
smokers, someone with a family history of heart disease, regardless of age, excessive drinkers/ alcoholics, sedentary lifestyle, males over 40 years of age and females over 45. Some of us may be at higher risk due to underlying heart muscle disease or heart rhythm condition. Warning signs include chest pains which can occur with nausea or sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath that is disproportionate to activity and pain in the upper abdomen. Despite the stereotype of heart disease as mainly affecting men, it is the number one cause of death among women worldwide. Women who are pregnant, menopausal or taking oral contraceptives are at higher risk. Be warned that women may not display the classic symptoms of a heart attack. Taking Care of Your Heart “Go for regular screening,” advises Dr. Liew. “With advancements in medical science and technology, doctors can detect diseases at an early age and limit progression.” This is especially critical for those who are at risk or who have experienced symptoms. “Do not ignore the signs. With today’s stressful lifestyle, it is easy to dismiss symptoms as fatigue or indigestion, hoping that they will disappear,” Dr. Khurana advised. “Seeking advice early can save your life.” Parkway Hospitals Singapore Patient Assistance Centre (Jakarta) Suite 908 Tamara Centre Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav.24 Jakarta 12920, Indonesia 24-Hour Helpline: (62) 811 942 720 Email: enquiry@parkway.co.id
Breathing Easier
A
for Better Health in the Home
ir quality is one of the major contributors to human health, and deteriorating air quality is having a terrible effect on the lives of millions of people. A staggering 2.1 million deaths are caused by anthropogenic increases of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), according to a new study published in the journal of Environmental Research Letters. A further 470,000 people die annually as a result of human-caused increases in ozone pollution. Southeast Asia ranked third among the worst-affected areas, with an estimated average of 158,000 deaths from PM2.5 and 33,300 attributed to ozone. Study co-author Jason West warned outdoor air pollution is among the most important environmental risk factors for health. Little do we realize just how many pollutants seep into our homes, offices and schools. It is a major cause for concern when we breathe an average of 20,000 times a day, which corresponds to around 12,000 liters of air. Fine particulate matter – dust, soot, smoke and liquid droplets – are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, and can lodge in the lungs, potentially inciting serious respiratory diseases. Air purifiers are a great way to improve indoor air quality because they function by removing pollutant particles through a filter, resulting in purer air. However, not all are made the same despite their claims. The first important aspect to consider when selecting an air purifier is its performance. Does the unit filter air efficiently? The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) measures the rate at which pollutants are removed. The higher
Relative Humidity
the CADR, the more efficient the system is. The best filter can capture up to 99.97 percent of fine particles, meaning it is capable of alleviating allergy triggers like dust and pollen. Operation cost and ease of maintenance need to be taken into account. Capacity of the unit in relation to the room is also crucial to the performance of a purifier. Ideal humidity levels also play an important role in optimal air quality. The right humidity range would promote better productivity and stamina, as well as improve sleep quality for the whole family. Medical experts advise humidity levels to be within the 40-60 percent range. Less than 40 percent could promote the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and allergens, while mold and pests thrive at humidity levels above 60 percent. Although tropical Indonesia is humid, the reality
is we spend most of our time indoors. The cold air produced by indoor air conditioner draws moisture from its surroundings, causing discomforts like eye irritation, sore throats and dry skin. Air humidifiers restore moisture by releasing water vapor to balance the humidity level in your home. On the other hand, air dehumidifiers eliminate excess moisture, protecting rooms in the house from damp, mildew and mold – always an issue in indoor rooms such as basement, garage, wet kitchen. As with purifiers, efficiency should be imperative in humidifiers and dehumidifiers. An integrated hygrostat – either 4 level or digital – in the unit should be fully adjustable to attain optimal relative humidity. There is no better time than now to consider your options, and make sure your air is fit to breathe. n
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wanderLUST
Dreaming of
Dubrovnik
WITH GREAT LOCATIONS AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE, CROATIA IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S HOTTEST DESTINATIONS. THE ANCIENT WALLED CITY OF DUBROVNIK IS ONE OF ITS MOST IMPRESSIVE PLACES TO STOP BY. WORDS & PHOTOS GAMA HARJONO
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ith an impressive fireworks display that lit the sky in capital Zagreb, Croatia joined the European Union at midnight on July 1, 2013. Ascending to the ranks of the grouping was strong motivation to avoid future conflicts – apart from the future economic benefits – some technocrats said. Some might even boldly say that Croatia joining the EU is like a “homecoming” after it achieved post-war stability during the last two decades. Between 1992 and 1995, this erstwhile corner of Yugoslavia endured bloody conflicts. During the Croatian Independence War, sieges were laid and city walls defended by citizens; at the southern tip of the country, Dubrovnik was the prize everyone wanted. It is separated from the rest of country as a piece of Bosnian land, the so-called Neum corridor, cuts Croatia in two pieces. Help from the capital Zagreb was literally a world away. “In the beginning we thought Yugoslavia would leave us alone. Shops were still open and I went to school,” my friend, Mario Begovic, recalled of the fall of 1991. “But we soon realized it was a real war.” Bombardment ensued and there was damage to many of the limestone structures and the world-famous Renaissance rooftiles; the main street looked like a mass of craters and ancient palaces burned day and night. The war ended in 1995. Thanks to international pressure, this UNESCO World Heritage city (since 1979) was soon restored to its former glory. Nowadays, you are most likely to spot any existing traces of war by looking at black and white photos in the museum. However, a different form of “war tourism” is developing in the city. Dubrovnik is a tiny, almost minuscule, town. Venturing from wall to wall, you can see the ancient town in under two hours. For-
tunately, what it may lack in size it makes up in other attributes. Take its fortress, for example. Solid, tall and perched on natural sea rocks, it boasts impressive moats and four magnificent city gates in limestone; it was the reason Dubrovnik was able to resist advances from its many enemies. Recently the medieval walls of Dubrovnik were chosen as a set for the cult TV series Game of Thrones. For the few who are unfamiliar with it – very unlikely – Game of Thrones is a medieval fantasy created by George R. R. Martin. Adapted into a TV series by HBO, this might and magic saga has gained a worldwide following. With or without promotion, legions of the series’ fans are heading to this jewel of the Adriatic Sea. As a follower of the series, I can see why Dubrovnik was picked as the set for King’s Landing, the capital city in the fantasy world where each cycle of summer lasts for several years. Dubrovnik, too, is blessed with a warm climate all year round, perfect for depicting the fantastic city where city gates are raised to allow citizens to circulate freely along its uninterrupted city walls. And let’s not forget Dubrovnik’s rock-solid city walls. For Croatians, Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian region is a popular choice to escape the temperate weather inland. The beauty of Dubrovnik and its picturesque surroundings also lure many cruise ships to set anchor off its coastline. During the day, some 3,000 passengers go ashore. It may appear great for the economy, but apparently not everyone agrees. One of the local ladies at the city gates canvassing renters for private rooms in their homes complained, “cruise passengers might buy a souvenir or an ice cream, but they don’t stay, they sleep on the boat.” She had a point. The peak crowd arrives just before midday, leading to an overwhelmingly bustling vibe in the city. “That’s why locals prefer to live in the village and travel to the
wanderLUST
city for work. We still get the best of both worlds,” explained Mario. Beach Bound In a place where the mercury is always high and a suntan is given away not acquired, going for a dip in the sea is second nature. First, one needs to find a beach. While beaches are scattered along the coast, they’re not easily visible or accessible. And I heard locals zealously guard their secret beach favorites. But Croatians are a gentle and friendly people; ask around and someone will tell you their favorite. “Hotels have private access but all beaches are free,” Mario told me in my quest to find a beautiful beach. So I exited the Pila gate, one of Dubronik’s four, and followed the coastline for a good half hour. Honestly, it felt more like a scenic dream. The country boasts over a thousand islands, many of them spread along the 230 miles of the winding Dalmatian coast. I found myself gazing many times at them, appearing like natural sanctuaries and shimmering under the harsh sun of a Mediterranean summer.
Solid, tall and perched on natural sea rocks, Dubrovnik‘s fortress boasts impressive moats and four magnificent city gates in limestone
At the intersection I spotted the Bellevue hotel. So I took a left and dodged slippery searocks before discovering a secluded beach with a handful of locals. I threw my towel over the golden sand and alternated between dipping and sunbathing. I felt life was glorious and I was loving each second that passed. In the distance, the Old Town stood proudly, as it has for more than a millenium. The clean turquoise water of the harbor is now waded through by yachts and kayaks, not war flotillas menacing the Republic of Ragusa. This was the name used by the ancient Romans for the small Dalmatian town protected by Byzantium rulers. This legacy lasts to this day: the city plan follows the Roman tradition of maintaining a main road (Stradun street) along which majestic palaces were built and church domes that appear to have been brought from Venice. Ragusa grew in commerce thanks to its strategic location and status as a free port. It succumbed to Venice, the fiercest and most ambitious enemy, who ruled it in the 13th century; it was such a massive blow to this city-state that it sold the town of Neum to the Ottomans to ensure Venice could never get too close. Later, the arrival of Slavic migrants slowly changed the Romance tongue spoken and the name of Ragusa was replaced by Dubrovnik. A couple of seagulls tussling over a stray scrap of bread roused me. I wrapped up my towel and headed back to the old town. From here, my options were endless: I could take the cable car to enjoy the fantastic view up the hill, or walk up the medieval city wall to admire the glimmering horizon. In the end, I stayed put at the lagoon harbor. I was amid lines of tableclothed tables, live music from the cafe and sipping a bubbly cocktail. Such was the perfect way to end my day.
Croatia calling
Getting there: Dubrovnik is highly accessible and can be reached by air, land – or even better – boat. Croatia Airlines (croatiaairlines.com) connects from capital Zagreb and European cities. Major cruise companies make a stop in Dubrovnik but ferryhopping is seasonally possible and more fun (croatiaferries.com). Travel times: Like the rest of the country’s coast, summer starts early from June, with peak season lasting until September. But you can still find good accommodation deals in October and beyond; locals often hawk rooms at the station and city gate at discounted rates. Rooms outside the walls are cheaper. What to do: The Game of Thrones walking tour is offered by viator.com and starts from €55. Dubrovnik has an Oriental influence and an aristocratic vibe, Venetian style; explore it at your own pace, stop at many of its fruit and veggie markets and sip your favorite drink at the marina. What’s the best way to enjoy one of Europe’s best preserved walled cities than getting right on the wall? Access to the city ramparts can be purchased from: Pile Gate, Fort Street or Dominika Street.
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PUSHING THEIR
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TRIATHLONS ARE CHALLENGING YET SURPRISINGLY ADDICTIVE, AND MANY COMPETITORS ARE FINDING THEY MAKE THEM HEALTHIER, STRONGER AND HAPPIER. WORDS DITA AJANI
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etired three-time Olympic swimmer and triathlete Richard Sam Bera recalls that only five Indonesians participated in the 2009 Bintan Triathlon. Last year, more than 100 competed in the individual races alone. Triathlons are rapidly finding devotees among men and women of all ages. Despite its arduous combination of longdistance swimming, cycling and running, the triathlon can attract even those who otherwise do little sport. “If you can swim and bike or are willing to learn, can walk or roll a wheelchair, you can do the triathlon,” says Arsiyanti Ardie, a marketing consultant who first competed in the 2005 UCLA IronBruin
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Members of Triathlon Buddies take a dive with open water training in Thousand Islands.
Triathlon in Los Angeles, a benefit for the US Challenged Athletes Foundation. “I got to see athletes who were blind, amputees, deaf or had some other type of difficulty who were taking on the very same challenge of triathlon as everyone else.” Anyone willing to believe it possible can join in the fun – doing the triathlon really is that accessible. It’s social as well, with training partners joining forces to test each other’s limits. Take Yoanita Tahalele, a young mother and fashion blogger who confesses to having had no interest in sports in the past. In June, she impressed not only herself but also everyone she knows when she crossed the finish line at the 2013 Bali International Triathlon.
“Doing a triathlon appealed to me because I love adventure, and the fact that it consists of three sports challenged me to stick at it,” says Yoanita, who began her intensive training just a month before the competition and paired up with her older sister Miranda for the Olympic Distance relay race, swimming 1.5 kilometers in open water. “The atmosphere of the race was amazing,” she adds. “Adrenaline was pumping the whole time. I’m definitely going to do more triathlons in the future.” As triathletes often say, “do one and
Arsiyanti runs in the Bali International Triathlon.
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Richard Sam Bera in top gear at the 2012 Bintan Triathlon.
Going the Distance Triathlons cover various distances; the most common are the “Sprint” (750 m swim, 20 km bicycle and 5 km run) and the “Olympic Distance” (1.5 km swim, 40 km bicycle and 10 km run). Competitors are divided into pro athletes and age groupers, so amateurs race against others of the same sex and age. Beginners may like to start by taking a relay approach. In the relay format, two or three individuals make a team, with each one doing only one or two of the sports. For first time racers, being part of a relay team can be a great introduction to a real triathlon. Silvia Wiratama, a finance manager, teamed up with a friend for her first event, the 2012 Bintan Triathlon. “I performed below my average training speed, but I was really happy to complete my first triathlon,” she says. Seasoned triathlete MC, shown in the main photo on the opposite page, joined a relay team as the runner for his first triathlon. “I was a casual mountain biker and had not done any swimming or running since leaving school,” he recalls. “It was only a 5 km run but I hurt for days afterward.” MC returned the following year to complete the individual triathlon. “Satisfied is an understatement,” he says. “I felt like I had been through an epic disaster and survived. The feel-good factor on your first race is amazing. I couldn’t stop grinning for weeks.” MC now uses triathlons to keep fit. He has moved on, having taken part in the 2012 Ironman World Championship. Consistent and focused training lies behind any good performance. In Jakarta, the climate, pollution, traffic, road conditions and limited training facilities actually make competitors tougher. Indeed, some relish it. “I thrive on the adversity and proving the impossible is possible,” MC says. “Jakarta definitely gives you an edge in
mental toughness.” Although gyms offer a safe environment, many competitors still head outdoors when training. Within the city limits, Ragunan Zoo, Senayan Stadium and the CBD on car-free Sundays are popular places to train. Others get more creative, notes Harki Apri Yanto, co-founder of Triathlon Buddies (Tri-Buds), a Jakarta-based triathlon community founded in 2012 that has since expanded to several other cities. “We also practice in Bumi Serpong Damai City or Sentul City for longer runs and bike rides and take a boat out to Pulau Seribu for open water swim practice,” he says The Finish Line Experienced triathletes add that when training and competing, it’s important to keep your eye on the prize – which is whatever you want it to be. Miranda, who was named the Indonesian Best Female Athlete at the 2012 Bali International Triathlon, suggests competitors set a target carefully. “It’s important to make the target sensible and realistic,” she says. “Otherwise you’ll get stressed out with all the preparation and training.” Or as Richard puts it, “Doing a triathlon is about finishing the race, not beating your time. Whatever your physical condition, just finishing a triathlon is an achievement.” Indeed, for Richard, part of the fun of a triathlon is talking about it. “The greatest thing about doing triathlons is that I can tell everyone I know about the lifestyle and the fun of the sport,” says Richard, who has been sharing his triathlon experiences through Facebook and Twitter since 2008. “I want to hear more people saying, ‘Hey, I’ve done a triathlon!’ as something they can be proud of.” Sharing experiences and tips throughout the community is another enjoyable part of the sport, says Arsiyanti, who has found triathletes to be among the most fun, generous and passionate people she knows. “I keep passing on what was given to me now through coaching as well,” she says. “I am going to be coaching two Indonesian athletes to compete at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in triathlon,
Arsiyanti recorded one of the top female swimming times at the 2013 Ironman Japan.
IPS TRAINING T Experienced triathletes share their experiences to maximize triathlon training. • Start slowly and gradually build up to the triathlon event you want to do. What is most important is to just get moving. • The longer the preparation for a triathlon, the better. First timers should spend 3–5 months in training. • Connect with a triathlon community on Facebook and join their regular training sessions. • Treat triathlon as a single race with three components: swimming, running and cycling. It is essential to training in each sport in a week. For example: swim today, cycle the next day and run the day after. Photos: Courtesy of Arsiyanti Ardie, MC, Chaidir Akbar (Tri – Buddies)
you’ll be hooked”. What makes it addictive is the combination of the adrenaline before the race, the pain and persistence during it, and the joy of crossing the finish line. “Every time I do a race, I look for another triathlon with a new target,” says Miranda. “If I didn’t do triathlons, I might not be motived to work out. Because once you get started, exercise becomes part of your daily routine and being healthy becomes part of your lifestyle.”
which is a new sport to the Paralympics.” Arsiyanti brings to her coaching her resilience and persistence, proven by her participation in the 2013 Ironman Japan, in which she recorded one of the fastest swimming times for female competitors – faster, even, than the triathlon winner. During the cycling leg, Arsiyanti lost valuable time because of three serious accidents – yet she still completed it. “I was close to the cutoff time but just kept going. I got to the bike finish two minutes after the cutoff,” she says. “But I’m still determined to become Indonesia’s first Iron Lady when I’m ready to train and race another triathlon again.” For Miranda, however, her personal goal is just to get better each time. “Achieving my best and improving my performance are all that matter to me now.”
• Try to do one sport each day depending on how much time you have. You should aim for at least 30 minutes swimming, one hour biking and 30 minutes running. Busy people with limited training time would do well to train in a gym during the week. Combine this with outdoor training on the weekend for some healthy socializing time. • When training for your first individual triathlon, make sure that, at least once in your training period, you
can do each leg non-stop. A couple of weeks before the race, do several simulations of the entire race. If you can complete all the stages of the race at your own pace, then you are ready to do the real triathlon. • Don’t bother wasting money on triathlon gear: “the engine” – your body – is more important. • Do not worry about anything but doing your best. Whatever your excuses to other people, you cannot fool yourself. • Doing a triathlon has a huge mental component and you need to deal with it. Break it down and work on it in manageable chunks. But no matter how hard it gets, you will smile when you have crossed the finish line. • Train consistently and do not give up. Find the determination to succeed and you will, and it will be incredibly satisfying. Your self-confidence will also grow. • Keep it fun! Enjoy your training and triathlons. Do not force yourself to do anything you find distressing. Keep it in perspective. Triathlon is just a sport.
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‘THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD IS FAKE – DON’T LIVE IN IT’ And sad … Being away from my sister, who is in Palembang and is three years old.
And my worst … My ego.
Being in front of the camera … Captures my emotions, and I can see if I’m being honest in my character, or am I still being half Pevita, half someone else.
One skill I wish I had … Singing.
FOR SOMEONE so young, actress-model Pevita Pearce has a discernment and self-knowledge that belie her 21 years. In a world teeming with attitude divas, she is refreshingly down-to-earth: at the end of the interview, she inquires, point-blank, “Was the conversation good for you, too?” Up next on the big screen is period piece Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck (The Sinking of the Van Der Wijck) opposite Reza Rahadian, but Pevita is also intent on expanding her accessories line, Hippearce, and making waves in fashion design.
Before I accept a movie project … I read the first 10 pages of a script. It’s like meeting a person. After five or 10 minutes you can catch the feeling, the emotion, the aura. The key to success is … Say “I will”, not “I want to”. And once you say it and you listen to your words, it will become a habit.
The role I really want to play … Anything. Every character is unique and we can make it even more unique with the director’s agreement. A good way to break the ice with a new acquaintance … Know their background so you can mix and match with your own. I Google people. Money is important for … Food, clothing and shelter. Buy what you need, not what you want.
My beauty secret … Drink lots of water. Especially when I’m shooting, I can drink six liters of water. I am proudest of … I just bought my own car with my own money. I’ve been saving up since high school. What makes me happy … When people around me are happy.
A good movie is … One you relate to and that inspires you. What motivates me … My mom. She is a single mother [...] and she is a walking Wikipedia. She knows everything.
HAPPENING HAPPENINGS IN THE CITY
My career has taught me … Everything that you do in the entertainment business – it’s all fake. Don’t live in it. To relieve stress … I just pray and I spend time with my mom, that’s the most important thing. When I feel really low, who else can I turn to but my mom and the Creator? My worst social media habit … Narcissism, taking pictures of myself. I’m a selfie girl. One of my hidden talents … Rapping. And dancing. My favorite city in the world … Paris. No, London. This is hard! The personal quality I most admire … People who are very, very peaceful inside and out – it’s the best aura. + Kindra Cooper
Photo Meutia Ananda I Sweater Nikicio Shirt Pink Label Printed jeans Helio
My best trait … I’m humble.
talk of THE TOWN
H&M Jakarta Launching Party Local fashion enthusiasts went gaga at the opening of Swedish high street label H&M in Gandaria City recently. H&M soirees are known all over the world, and its party in Jakarta didn’t disappoint either.
Ferdy Hasan & Safina
Aline Adita & Adinia Wirastri Kiki Utara & Friends
Lacoste 80th Anniversary Party
Afgan
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Sanveer Gill (Country Manager H&M Indonesia) & the H&M Team
French sportswear label Lacoste celebrated becoming an octogenarian at the ultra trendy Skye. Rahmah Umayya and Yudha Perdana hosted the after-hours event, with the trendy media crowd mingling with familiar faces from entertainment and F&B world. Raisa
Guests enjoying the evening
Abi Shihab, Donnatha Maria, Fenny R., Silviyanti Dwi Aryati & Hagai Pakan