‘My marriage is my happiest and saddest moment’

Beauty pageant organizers could point to former Miss Indonesia Angelina Sondakh as living proof of the “beauty with a purpose” jargon. Now a legislator, she has a handsome husband, former actor and fellow legislator Adjie Masaid, with baby on the way, and says she is working harder than ever. What appears perfect on the outside, of course, often is not, and she admits her marriage has been difficult for her family to accept. Angelina now also has a different perspective on the beauty pageants that launched her to fame. “I’ve been reading a lot of books complaining about them, that they were being protested already years ago, because they degrade women and make them objects of the cosmetics industry.” She has no regrets about her past but says it’s important to really get that clichéd inner beauty message across first. “It’s better to educate women about getting intellectual beauty first. Otherwise, they’ll be trapped in the wrong beauty cosmetic surgery, have a lot of cosmetic surgery but never be satisfied with themselves.”

Your mood right now?
My mood is excited due to my reelection as a member of parliament. It’s been a great experience to be in the election system. I have a lot of things to do; and my new term. I’m so excited because I’m also discussing the film regulation.

Your first memory?
I was born in Australia; most of my childhood was there. I remember all my friends from when I was there. What I learned was that differences don’t make you different, but unite us. I grew up among those differences, and I appreciate them. They don’t separate us.

Describe yourself in three words.
It’s like a Miss Indonesia question! I like to interpret myself. Three words is difficult: integrity and sanity and self-confidence.

Your best trait?
I’d really like to answer it truly, but as a member of parliament, people would say that it’s not really me. But I care about other people.

And worst?
I’m a workaholic and a perfectionist. If I don’t get it right, I get mad at my staff and partner. I should get rid of that. I don’t shout at them, I’m quiet for a couple of days. My staff know that if she’s quiet, then she’s really mad.

Happiest moment of your life?
I think when I graduated with my master’s degree when I was a member of parliament; it was really hectic going to college at night after meetings. It was a really hard task for me, because I was tested by a killer lecturer. I thought the exam would only take one hour, but in my case it took 2.5 hours. After it I was so relieved.

Others are my marriage and getting pregnant.

And saddest?
My marriage is the happiest and also the saddest. I knew I had disappointed my parents. My parents are Christian and didn’t attend our first wedding ceremony. Now I think everything is doing very well, after several months to make my parents believe that differences do not make a difference. I know it’s hard for them, but they say they cannot disown me, that I am still their daughter. I love them so much, they have been such good parents to me. In describing myself earlier, those qualities were from my parents. They taught me that integrity is more important than money.

Who or what has been your most important teacher?
My dad; my mom has been my spiritual teacher.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done?
Saving the orangutans. I loved them so much I wanted to see their preservation. When I wasn’t married people said maybe I loved the orangutans more than my boyfriend. Now I’m so happy that there are so many NGOs working for the cause, and celebrities doing it.

Favorite food?
I like Japanese food, and Manadonese of course, especially Manado porridge.

Favorite movie?
I like romantic movies. I watched Titanic 12 times; it’s kind of embarrassing but I grew up in a romantic environment. My parents always showed love.

Your idea of a perfect day …
When you have a bad day but you don’t complain about it. You realize things don’t have to go with your plan. The day when you take all the bad luck as good luck. Everything depends on us.

When the going gets tough, I …
Go to my room and get away from people and read. Listen to some Mozart or Chopin or Bach, and contemplate. It really heals my soul.

Money can’t buy …
Marriage. It can buy the ring, but it can’t buy you taking your partner as he is. Money can buy a house, but it can’t buy a relationship in the house.

The talent I wish I had …
When I was young I wanted to be a policewoman, but because of my eyesight I couldn’t. I wish I could play the drums.

Your favorite smells …
I like jasmine and rose. Floral. And lilies.

The last thing I do at night …
Read.

And first thing in the morning …
I take the dogs for a walk. Or go to the computer.

I would never ….
Jump from the 27th floor!

Favorite place in the world?
Paris, of course, because I like romance. And Egypt. But the best place is where I grew up in Manado.

If you could solve one thing in the world today, what would it be?
I would like to make all people aware of preserving the environment.

And Indonesia?
Let’s really go into the traits of the people, the personality of people. And then teach them that the simple things they do can change so much.

Any regrets?
I regret when I regret things. I don’t want to regret.

Things to do before you die?
I would like to see a better Indonesia. For all the people to work hand in hand without seeing different backgrounds or religions. Without mocking other people. To live in a better world, like the song: Heal the world, make it a better place.

My life motto …
You have to have ambition, but not be ambitious.

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