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A Date to remember
The upcoming date 12-12-12 has set the mood swinging
The upcoming date 12-12-12 has set the mood swinging.
Such a beautiful date — which will take years to come around again — has inspired many. Martin Sulistio is one of them.
Martin is not among those who fear the Mayan doomsday scenario, that the apocalypse may happen this month, following the expiration of the Mayan calendar cycle, known as Bak’tun 13, and the start of the new Mayan era.
On the special date, Martin is set to embrace a new chapter in his life — tying the knot with his girlfriend, Cindy Djunaedi.
For the wedding, a ballroom for some 3,000 people in a five-star hotel in Jakarta has been booked since March last year. He says that he wants everything to run smoothly on his big day.
“The idea to choose the unique date came from my parents and we instantly agreed with them. We’re very happy with the date,” Martin told The Jakarta Post.
The rare sequential number, along with the approaching end of the year of the water dragon in the Chinese calendar, may give a greater spirit for couples to get married.
The year of water dragon, which comes around every 60 years, is believed to be the perfect time to get married. The only mythical animal of the Chinese 12-animal zodiac cycle is said to bring good fortune, opportunity and romance.
According to feng shui, the Chinese art of arranging objects and choosing good dates to enhance luck, the unique date falls on ding wei, which means heavenly river.
“Energy from the water element is so pure, so the date will be good to do activities like weddings and building a house,” said master Aries Harijanto, the founder of Indonesia Feng Shui Online Center.
The date has also set the buzz for business. Tiara D. Josodirdjo, the owner of Tiara Josodirdjo and Associates Event Planning and Management, has been busy preparing a huge party on the big date since April. She is handling the wedding anniversary party of businesswoman Mien R. Uno, mother of businessman Sandiaga Uno.
Tiara had to decline other requests as the celebration requires the full attention of her team. She said she can handle two simple wedding parties, but she prefers to focus on one this time.
The 12-12-12 hype also reaches maternity hospitals where pregnant mothers are expecting to deliver their babies on the day. Bunda Hospital in Menteng, Central Jakarta, for example, has recorded 10 requests for the surgery a week before the big date.
A number of Religious Affairs Offices (KUA) and wedding organizers will also be busy on Wednesday.
“There are seven couples that have registered to get married on that date. The number is higher than usual. Normally only two or three couples get married on weekdays,” said Fatimah, an officer at KUA Mampang district in South Jakarta.
In Yogyakarta, the Indonesia Taaruf Forum will host a mass wedding for 12 couples from around the country on board an old train from the colonial era. Even actress Jane Shalimar and boyfriend Mahardika Soekarno Putra, grandson of the late president Sukarno, hopes to tie the knot on Wednesday.
A dash for romance has also reached Bali, with many wedding venues flooded with request to get married that day.
“People do like beautiful numbers, so they book in advance for a number like 12-12-12. We have received many requests for that day but we can only take five,” said Prami Radcliffe of Tirtha Bridal’s public relations and marketing communications in Bali.
