SANDRA ANGELIA: (JP/Indra Harsaputra)

The proverb "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" doesn't always hold true.

Born to the family of a well-known church leader and brought up by two famous Protestant pastors, Sandra Angelia, Miss Indonesia 2008, has chosen a career in social work over one that follows in the footsteps of her relatives.

"I want to use my life to serve the poor in society. With my knowledge as an architect, I want to build housing for the poor people in Indonesia," Sandra told The Jakarta Post in an interview recently.

The architecture graduate from the University of Western Australia said she chose this career path not out of rebellion but from a need to find balance in her life.

The poor in Indonesia, said Sandra, needed proper housing and shelter, but at the present were not able to enjoy this basic human right as land and construction costs were too expensive; with many resorting to taking up residence in shacks along riverbanks.

Sandra, who represented East Java in the recent Miss Indonesia pageant, was crowned Miss Indonesia 2008.

She won the contest after successfully eliminating Kartika Indah Pelapory, who represented Maluku and was chosen as the first runner-up, and Priscilla Yvonne Supit who became the second runner-up.

The second daughter of famous couple Pastor Yusak Hadisiswantoro and Pastor Asti Tanuseputra, who composed the spiritual song "Kau Penolongku" (You are My Helper), successfully eliminated 33 finalists who had been chosen through an audition process conducted in nine Indonesian cities.

Sandra succeeded when she answered a question from the jury regarding the steps she would take to improve the country if she was a leader.

"If you have the chance to become a leader in this country, what sector would you straighten up first?" the master of ceremonies, Tantowi Yahya, asked in behalf of the jury.

The jury consisted of fashion expert Liliana Hary Tanoesoedibjo, cosmetic businesswoman Martha Tilaar, House of Representatives member Yudhi Chrisnandi, hair stylist Peter F Saerang, Miss Indonesia 2005 Imelda Fransisca, fashion designer Harry Darsono and photographer Darwis Triadi.

Sandra's answer was seen to be significantly different from the replies of the other two finalists. She said she would first take steps to improve and uphold the law, after which she would focus on the education sector.

She said her desire to work in the social field had been inspired by the life of her grandfather, Protestant clergyman Abraham Alex Tanuseputra, who was a church leader as well as a founder and general chairman of the synod of the Bethany Indonesia Church (GBI) between 2003 and 2007.

Before he became a pastor, Alex was a chemist and businessman in the East Java town of Mojokerto. In 1965, he hit a small child in an accident.

The child was seriously injured: A doctor even said the child would probably die. The victim's family threatened to kill Alex if the child died.

Fearing for his life, Alex went to a church and prayed for the entire night. He vowed that if the child successfully recovered, he would become a servant of God.

God answered Alex's prayer and he gave his life to serving the church. He sold his property and built 14 churches and evangelical posts in Mojokerto.

When pastor Alex moved to the East Java capital of Surabaya in 1977 with his family, the 14 churches that he had built in Mojokerto were handed over to other Protestant clergymen.

He then started to rebuild the church in Surabaya and joined the synod of the GBI, which promoted the autonomy of local churches.

In 1987, a church on Jl. Manyar Rejo was completed, and the GBI congregation that he shepherded had reached 2,000.

Around the same time, Alex made plans for the Graha Bethany building on Jl. Nginden in Surabaya. This building, which was completed in 2000, with the capacity to hold congregations of up to 20,000, is considered the biggest church in Southeast Asia.

"So we already have someone (in the family) who works for Jesus. I chose to work for the welfare of humanity," said Sandra, who spent 10 years living in Australia.

Sandra's parents sent her to Australia in 1998 after security in Indonesia became uncertain following the May violence of that year, which was triggered by the Asian financial crisis and escalated with the Trisaksi tragedy.

At time, many people of Chinese descent became the targets of mobs running amok: Their shops were plundered and burned and some women allegedly became the victims of rape.

Following the incident, large numbers of people of Chinese descent moved overseas. Until now the government hasn't legally determined who was responsible for starting that bloody violence.

Living in Australia gave Sandra a very valuable experience, as she learned there was no guarantee for safety anywhere in this world.

"In Australia, I was the victim of a gang of thieves who succeeded in stealing my valuables. Those thieves were bule (Caucasians), who are respected by some Indonesian people here," she said, adding the house where she lived with her friends was burgled three times during her stay.

"I even caught one thief when he entered the house. When he turned his head towards me, I changed my mind about catching him because I didn't know self defense."

Since winning the Miss Indonesia title, Sandra has kept a busy schedule packed with social activities, including in her hometown Surabaya. Undertaking these social activities is an important obligation of the Miss Indonesia pageant winner.

Amid her schedule of busy activities, she is currently preparing for the Miss World 2008 event in Ukraine, which is scheduled to be held at the end of this year.

When she was in Surabaya recently, Sandra, who speaks fluent English and Japanese, visited the Indonesian Midwives' Institution maternity hospital and a children and mothers' care house. She also met with children from different orphanages.

Sandra told the Post she was ready to give her best in the Miss World competition, adding she was even prepared to wear a bikini in the competition, even though it conflicted with her Christian teachings.

"But I won't wear minimum clothing. I'll find a way by using a one-piece suit."

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