Tantowi Yahya: 'Music is my second religion'
The Jakarta Post | Sat, 06/28/2008 1:41 PM |
Mood right now?
Hard to tell, but I’m OK. I started the day with a workout with my personal trainer at 6:30 a.m., and had breakfast, quite a heavy one, read the newspaper and started the day.
Describe yourself in three words.
Fun-loving, optimistic and ambitious.
Describe your life’s journey in a sentence.
Successful. That’s enough.
The sweetest thing about being successful …
You can share it with a lot of people, the needy, and then you can share your knowledge. That’s what I’m doing now. That downside is that you don’t have much time for your personal life and family.
Something I’m always trying to remedy …
The feeling of being not needed. I know that’s not true, but I’m always haunted by that feeling. Because I was at center stage for so long, and then I wasn’t for a time.
I would never …
Do bad things. But I can’t say what.
My favorite food is …
Japanese food, because it’s simple, low cholesterol and fast. Not too heavy.
I thank …
My dad for inspiring me, even though he is no longer with me. He taught me to be a man and to be positive whatever we face. And to be thankful to God. The best virtues I got from Dad I conveyed to my children.
How do you raise your children differently from the way your parents raised you?
They’re my companions. I didn’t get that because I was a product of the old system.
What is in your dreams?
I dream about being somebody who represents Indonesia. Not in the form of an ambassador, but anything, just to relay to the international community what Indonesia is really about.
And nightmares?
Indonesia breaks up, like the Soviet Union. The solution is that there should be maturity among the people running the country, and a better understanding. And a real national platform for the nation.
I’m proud as an Indonesian because …
A lot makes me proud of being Indonesian. One is that we are from a big country, a rich country and a religious country. It’s not easy to find those three adjectives in one nation.
And saddened that …
Some of the other countries only think that we are about TKW (female migrant workers). So, there is less respect when we go abroad.
The last thing I think of at night …
I want to wake up the next morning in better health.
Music is …
My energy, my second religion. I can’t live without it.
Favorite song …
Many. I’m listening to Today I Started Loving You Again by Merle Haggard.
Why do you like country music so much?
It reflects my life. It’s the music of the people, simplicity, honesty and sincerity.
I cry at …
When I do something good for people, and they accept it in a good way.
The unforgivable is …
People talking badly about this country. And it’s not true.
My favorite journey …
I always enjoy traveling to Australia, because it’s near and not too costly. And I really enjoy driving. That’s one thing I cannot do here; there they’re disciplined drivers and there are great views.
When the going gets tough, I …
Pray. And share the problem with my family.
The biggest problem for the world today is …
Mutual suspicion.
Dream dinner guests …
Barack Obama, because at his young age he is inspiring the world and bringing winds of change to the people of America and the world. I would also like to sit down with Donald Trump, because this guy to me has been one of America’s greatest assets. He has influenced the world through what he does, in entertainment and business. I would really like to learn from him, because behind all the successful entertainment businesses in the U.S. is the Trump name.
Words to live by …
It’s a quote from Benjamin Franklin: Being content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.
I want to die …
In my religion of Islam, surrounded by my family and leaving behind many positive things for Indonesia and the world.
+ Bruce Emond
Illustration by Martin Dima
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