Recently involved in the children’s musical movie Langit Biru (Biru’s Sky) as a songwriter and supporting actor, the member of music group Project Pop always fi nds time to indulge in his hobbies. He likes to think about getting away from it all for a while.

“I work in a creative industry, so I believe that the creative side of my brain should not get stressed as I need it for work. If I have leisure time at home, I will use it to read comic books or play [video] games.”

I follow the plots of many comic books. They are mostly Japanese Manga like Ruler of the Land, but I also read Indonesian comics such as Naga Bumi [by Seno Gumira Ajidarma]. I like them so much that if I go to a book store, I always end up buying one. Besides reading comic books and playing games, I also love sports. Getting out of the city is not an option in my free time because my work, family, community service and hobbies keep me occupied. Anyway, I usually go to other towns at least once a month with Project Pop.

If I had a long holiday, I would really like to take my wife, April, to a place to which we haven’t yet been. I wouldn’t include Bali or Singapore because we have the opportunity to go to those two places through work. I would like to go with just her without taking our children; you see we always bring our children whenever we have a holiday. I think somewhere in the US would be a good option.

My wife grew up there and she has not visited it for a long time. As for Asian destinations, I might be interested in going to Japan or South Korea because I have never been there and she would love to visit those countries. We will do some research on the Internet first.

I currently have homework to do, to complete the thesis for my graduate studies. I have finished it, actually, but I still need to sort out some minor things, such as editing the text and making an abstract. I am also grateful to have quite a busy off-air schedule with Project Pop besides writing songs for other people, emceeing and delivering seminars on public speaking.

Composing songs and emceeing are my two passions.

I always have this sort of fixation if I have not finished a song. Even after completing it, I still want to listen to it again and make changes. I enjoy my time with Project Pop because the group provides what I describe as a complete performance, which includes singing and comedy routines. I am very interested in comedy and have a talent for it. Making people laugh is something I really enjoy.

I am not a shy person, but I believe that performers should have a sense of shame because it helps them maintain control so they do not make fools of themselves.”

— As told to Indah Setiawati

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