I
wrote my 2013 resolutions on a paper and one of them is ‘Winning ANT’ (Abang None Timur). One year ago, I didn’t
win that ANT, but Alhamdulilah, I won Abang None Jakarta Barat 2013 and it was
a wonderful experience.
West
Jakarta is a region that I knew least about. It also located so far from my
home at central region. I really forget why I chose West Jakarta. I never sure
what the reason is, what I remember is I just choose.
I
saw many good people on technical meeting of the competition and feel depressed
and lack of confidence. I remember an awkward moment when an Abang named Daymas
(who later become my good friend) noticed that my new shoes still got its price
tag on it, shame on me.
I faced the preliminary
selection that consist of public speaking, focus group discussion, and
semifinal that finally brought me to meet seven judges. I always look as I
prepared although deep down I feel a huge shy and doubt. After finished all the
selection process, I spent the night at 9-10 at night on my best friend Ilham’s
apartment with Fahri also. I was waiting for a call that determined my fate on
that competition.
They told us that we
were going to be called at 8 o, so I thought I was not being selected as one of
15 finalists. But then an unknown number appeared on my phone and it was Non
Affi’s voice (she has that unique voice), she told me that I’ve made it into
the top 15. I was asking again to make sure to her and she said
“Astaghfiruulah, Bang. Beneran!”, then I thanked her.
My friend and I were making many high fives, congratulate me, and wishing me the most of
luck.
At the first day of
quarantine, I met other 29 person. They are no ordinary person and came from different background. That day, they chose the head of the groups. I wasn’t a person with
leadership virtue, so I never intended to ask for that position. It was Daymas
Arangga and Fathanissa that being chosen as the leaders. Then they matched one
Abang and one None as a partner. Mine was Fathanisa Isnani, the only veiled
none in my year. She has a degree on communication studies and pursuing a title
on psychology. She is an awesome person. I’ll tell later on different post.
Day by day of
quarantine was a struggle. I guess I was the only person who went by
TransJakarta Bus where It took 1.5 hours (without traffic) or 2 hours more
(with traffic) to get from my house to Kembangan, West Jakarta. It was usually
start on 8 (sometimes from 10 in the morning) to 11 or 12 at night. So, Yes, to
me it was a super tiring moths. It was also a pocket draining to pay taxi if
there were no more bus at night. I also lost some weight and having series of
common cold. Anesya Anggun, the senior in charge, called me sick doctor since I
was frequently got sick.
But besides of all
tiring things, It was a super fun experiences. Seeing so many great people with
their own talent and ability, their bright faces, and the way they respond to
things, somehow made me realize that I need to learn more about more things.
I am a naturally born
as an Introvert, and most of them are extrovert or at least an ambivert. This
thing sometimes depressed me and depressed the senior also. At first I acted
out to be some sort of extrovert, but yeah, I cannot lie more. My seniors and
judges also told me that I was too silent. Silent. They asked me why I didn’t
ask many question or said some opinion. I answered honestly I didn’t ask
because there’s nothing to ask about. And they said you have to because it was
for the sake of your existence.
There, on the
quarantine of Abang None Jakarta Barat, I get to know better of myself. That I
can pushed myself to be a better person. I’m never sure about singing, but
there in abnonbarat, they asked me to do so, then they told me I was singing
fairly good so I ended up singing on the stage of familiarity night. On the
question&answer exercise, I tried to answer the question in Spanish, and it
was good. I never know I actually could speak Spanish actively. So, Yes, at some
point, I pushed my limit to be a better person.
The Final
On the finale night, we
did dancing, walking, question&answering session, and so on. I didn’t tell much
people about this competition. Only my parents and three of my best friends
came to the night. Well, Alhamdulilah, at last, I won the title. It was a huge
happiness to me. And it was a burden to me also. But it was God’s fate. I am
thanking You, God, Allah SWT.
Being a part of Abang
None Jakarta Barat and Abang None Jakarta is one of the most wonderful experience
of my life. It gave me experience to meet lots of people, a great one. I am so
proud to know these people. Thank You.
I am personally invite you to join Abang None Jakarta Barat because the things that you'll get is beyond money, presents, or simply title. It is a lot more beyond that.