WORDS TERTIANI ZB SIMANJUNTAK ILLUSTRATION MUFTY FAIRUZ

At first glance, comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono seems a regular mixture of the boy-next-door and class clown. But there are many sides of him that lead people who get to know him well, as he said in self-confessional fashion, to “tip-toe around me”. A very serious guy who puts his family above everything else — the game of soccer is an exception — Pandji, 37, talked about his hidden traits during a break from his Juru Bicara (Spokesperson) world tour to China, Germany, Japan, Australia, America and the UK, before closing in Jakarta on Dec. 10.

I am, in three words ...

Persistent, talkative and idealistic.

My best traits ...

I’m good with people. That’s my survival tool in a new environment and it helps in climbing the career ladder.

And worst ...

I’m a very angry person. Those who know me find me scary. I can end someone’s career, I can close a company down. Because I know how. Not because I know politics, but because I can mobilize people. I’m so good with words. That is a dark side of me.

Friends are ...

They are my assets. They are the bottomless pit of joke sources. The richer you are, the less funny you will be, that’s what Jerry Seinfeld once said, because you will no longer have your buddies around. I think the same adage is the reason why Louis CK, although he is incredibly rich for a comedian... hangs out with friends to stay funny. Kevin Hart, too, if you check his Instagram, is always around old friends.

And family...

Home. Regardless where I am, as long as I am with my family I’m home. It has become a mindset that going home means sleeping with my family. I couldn’t sleep when I’m out of town alone, but with them around I’m usually the first to fall asleep.

When the going gets tough, I ...

Think. Hard. Sometimes without sleep to find a way to get out of a situation. There was one time when I was broke, I lost so many emceeing jobs and my son was still a baby. We fed him water, because we couldn’t afford formula and my wife had difficulties breastfeeding. When I got an offer to produce a youth segment on Metro TV, I stayed up until 3 a.m. And Provokatif Proaktif was born. It got big and put me into a different level as a host with social political savviness.

I would never...

Give up.

My greatest achievement...

I haven’t achieved anything. But so, I’m so proud of being a father to my children. I’m proud of what they have become.

I laugh at...

I laugh at almost anything, basically ranging from slapstick comedy shows to the most complicated crack by Louis CK. Comedy should not be divided into smart and stupid ones because all of them are funny for me. A crazy beat can make me laugh and cry at the same time.

And cry...

When it comes to father-son relationships, real life or drama. I cried at the opening of The Lion King the movie.

My favorite journey…

From 1995 to 2005, the most important decade in my life, my coming of age into a real person. From an introverted, shy adolescent who believed he was stupid because people said so into someone with life principles and who idealizes education.

I’m bored by …

Driving. I prefer to take a cab and sleep away.

Favorite food...

Sunny side up egg, steamed rice, soy sauce and sambal (spicy condiment). Fried crackers will complete the menu set.

And least...

I eat everything. But the worst food I ever put in my mouth is fried cockroach at Wangfujing snack market in Beijing two years ago. It still remains in my taste buds today.  

My entertainment career gave me ...

My family. I paid for my wedding from my earnings as the host of Kena Deh!, paid the hospital bill when our son was born from Hole in the Wall. I bought the house where I live now with the money I earned as an advertisement model and refurbished it with the money I got from the first world tour. My career gave me the opportunity to marry Gamila, to have kids, to send them to better schools.

My good weekend is ...

With my family. I’ve been on tour every year since 2012 and have missed so many moments that could never happen again, so I really cherish every moment I have to spend with my family. There were times when we couldn’t afford a nanny, I prepared breakfast for my children, bathed my son and took him to school before going to work. I did all that because mornings were the only time I had for them and I wanted to do something for them.

The best advice someone ever gave me …

My father once told me never to let go of my dreams otherwise they return as regrets. And I don’t want to be a bitter person when I’m older.

I would change in the world …

I want to return Indonesia to its former state as a nation that creates. It has changed somehow; [I want to do it] while we still have the vast resources to make it happen again.

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