Indonesia
Rp 100 Million Education Insurance Snatch Away
The sound of clapping thundered following Prasta Tiasih stepping up the stage. The 10 years old girl swiftly swang her body in Cangik Dance. It’s Eastern Java traditional dance, telling about a royal princess with funny figure, still coquette despite the old age.
Playing an old, supposedly fragile woman, Prasta went total to be one. She dressed up with withered kebaya and jarik (long fabric), untidy hair make up and wrinkling facial. In fact, she went as far as making some of her hair white. This second grade of Soko 2 Mojokerto Elementary School also stepped up with betel leave in hand. She made a hillarous expression when chewing it, bursting the laugh over the audience.
Prasta was one out of 32 Star Kids contestants who had a chance of showing up on It’s Showtime stage at the main atrium Grand City Mall, Surabaya on Sunday, November 9th 2014. The event that was brought by AXA and AXA Mandiri insurance company was not exclusive for Surabaya, but Medan, Bandung and Jakarta as well.
Since August 2014, the committee had opened free online registration. Not enough with data of name and city of origin, the earlier selection also required a video of contestant, uploaded on untukanakku.com.
Targeted to have 10.000 registries from all over Indonesia, the number swelled into 12.340 with 4000 register from Surabaya. They came up with many kinds of talent; wushu, drum, dance, magic, singing songs, poetry and violin. “Of those thousands, we narrowed down to have 30 per audition city. Some for 3-6 years old and the rest 15 for 7-12 years old category,” Yani Sinulingga, Corporate Communication AXA, explained.
Participants who can’t send videos, or just being informed of this program very recently on the D day, can still join the live audition on Star Kids arena. The best two will have wild card to perform on stage.
From Surabaya, Jocelyn Elena was announced winner for 3-6 years old category, and Caroline Christabella Almeira Wijaya for 7-12 years old. Each was awarded a sum of money and merchandises from sponsors. They both got to move onward to the grand final in Jakarta. Caroline and Jocelyn will have a clash talent with 6 other winners from Bandung, Medan and Jakarta audition cities.
The winner is granted education insurance from AXA Mandiri and AXA, with total Rp 100 million. They are also awarded with holiday package to Bali, plus pocket money. Winner of second place deserves the same prizes with total premium of Rp 50 million.
“Why education insurance? Because we want to ensure their future and give channel for their talent. Cash money can be spent for other purposes,” Director of Alternative Channel AXA Mandiri, Handayani, reasoned. “Winners also have life insurance on behalf of their parents/guardian of Rp 25 million for two months,” the woman who has Consumer Financial Services from Harvard Business School, Boston, US, added on.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
