Audition started. I was a little late because I got lost on
my way to the location. It was located in the Kantor Walikota Bekasi. The
audition took a start with writing an essay about R.A. Kartini. Then, it
continued with the interview. I waited for like 3 hours to audition but it was
pretty fun though. I met all new people and somehow I felt so comfortable
mingling with new friends. It began with writing an essay about the values of
R.A. Kartini that we could implement daily in our lives. Then, it followed with
the interview. In the interview part, I had to face with some of the judges and
I needed to showcase my talent as well. Nervousness was there and I tried to be
as calm as I could possibly be although it was raging inside. The judging went
pretty well and was even better than I expected. I was so much of myself and
felt so comfortable dealing with a lot of tricky questions. I held it together
and answered very thoroughly.
The announcement via twitter came up. I did get picked as
the finalist and I was excited. The thing that concerned me the most was how I
was going to attend the quarantine section knowing the fact that it was going
to be held around in Bekasi. My dorm was in Cikarang and it was going to be
really frustrating to go back and forth. But I thought that this was the
challenge I was willing to take. I dealt with it.
They called it “workshop” and it took three days to get
through. I was taught a lot about “Inner Beauty”, “HIV/AIDS and its guidance to
avoid it”, “Organizational Structure of Abang Mpok”, “3R and environment” and
other beneficial lectures. I grasped all the knowledge I received and really
took it all in. It approximately went week and a half to do all the process
before the final night. I met some of the amazing great achievers and they were
talented in their own unique ways. Since the workshop, I got really close with
Taufan and Adiestian and I paired with the lovely Tiara Devi. I felt so much
togetherness and sense of belonging in surroundings of top 40 Finalist and all
the mentors such as Bang Theo, Bang Aspira, Bang Cah, Bang Arga, Kak Eva, Bang
Rahar, and Bang Imam who voluntarily helped me and the rest of us through the
journey and I began to appreciate the value of discipline from these
inspirational people. I knew that if I didn’t win, I would not regret a single
bit. Because through Putera-Puteri Kartini, I valued the thing called journey.
The ups and downs, the hard and the goods, all had to be experienced in order
to achieve glory.
The final night arrived. I had to thank my fellow, Aby for
lending me the baju koko because I hardly got a chance to buy one since mine
was back in my home. We did the run-through and the feelings were mixed. We
practiced our question and answer, catwalk, our opening dance and our
confidence. Until it came to the announcement of top 20 and I was called first
by the MC. I advanced to the question and answer session. I remembered I was
with Teh Ana to do the QnA.
- My question was “which one do you prefer? Having a lot of
friends but you’re acting fake or less friends but you’re true to yourselves”.
- I answered very straight-forward with “I’d rather go with
the second one. Because that means I’m true to myself, I’m true with my
conviction. And by being true to myself, I can be a better human being.”
I felt pretty good about myself. But I laid it all down to
God. Then, it came the moment which was the announcement of top 10. I was
called first again and I was pretty much pleased because I knew that I did
excellent. The question landed again on me and it was from Bang Arga.
-The question was like this “How do you feel about the
heroic deeds that Kartini has contributed to Indonesia? Was it wasteful or
worth-it?”
-A : I think that Kartini’s struggle has been very successful
because right now at the moment we could witness a lot of great women leaders
in everywhere not only in Indonesia
but in the world. Take the example of Megawati, Margaret Thatcher and Sri Mulyani.
They have contributed so much for Indonesia and the world.
I called it my defining moment because I never felt so
confident answering the question like that. I prayed so hard and hopefully the
result could be the best decision they made. I wanted to win but I think
winning wasn’t always my goal. I embraced all of it, good and bad. So here
came the result. I was called out as the first runner up along with Siska Indah
to receive the trophy. Miss Indonesia
“Very Fresh”, Marsha Pical handed me the trophy and gave me a little smooch
that made the audiences went “BOO”. It was a total gimmick. My hands were
shaken and got shivered all over my body. I couldn’t believe it. It paid off. Finally,
these hard works and sweats I had been putting were satisfying.
Putera – Puteri Kartini :
Alwan Fadhal & Nabilla Arswendita
1st Runner Up :
Daniel Samuel & Siska Indah Pratiwi
2nd Runner Up :
Andrew Bantong & Dita Puspita
The Best Talent :
Riantama S. & Devi Gheisyah
The Most Photogenic :
Ryan Goutama & Aisyah
The Most Favorite :
Sutan Chaniago & Mellie Leonita
With the lovely Tiara Devi, my patient partner during the whole competition.
With Siska Indah crowned as the 1st runner up with the help of Marsha Pical. Miss Very Fresh from Miss Indonesia 2013
