February the 5th marks the beginning of the Year of Earth Pig and we’re here celebrating Chinese New Year with our girl crushes Devina Aureel, Michelle Hendra, April Jane Widira and Vanessa Andrea. Each of the women has accomplished a lot from doing what they love to do and they boldly express their creativity through the internet. Keep on reading as they share exciting projects they are working on to Chinese New Year family tradition they are most excited about!
Text by Lulu Nisrina. Photographs by Ila Schaffer.
Devina Aureel
Can you introduce yourself a little?
Hi, my name is Devina Aureel and I’m a college student. That is all. [Laughs]
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m applying for leave of absence from college. Well, I study journalism and I’ll be graduating soon.
There’s a new movie playing this March with you starring in it. Can you share to us a little about your role in Yowis Ben 2?
Ah, turns out I have another business other than being a college student: playing in a movie! Which I forgot [laughs]. So, I had a chance to star in Yowis Ben 2 as Stefia. If you wanna know who Stefia is, you really have to watch the backstory on Yowis Ben so I don’t have to explain all that. It’s out there in Hooq! [Laughs]
We’re celebrating the Year of Earth Pig this year. What tradition does your family have for Chinese New Year?
In my family, Chinese New Year means family reunion and the thing is we have to wear red. It’s up to you to wear whatever kind of outfits, as long as it’s red. You can wear a red jacket or red bikini… but know that the family wouldn’t be so happy about it [laughs]. Also, Ang Pao! “Ang Pao na lai! Ang Pao na lai!” That’s about it. In my family, we don’t really go big in celebrating Chinese New Year, it’s mainly about family gathering and giving and receiving Ang Pao.
What are you most excited about Chinese New Year celebration?
Meeting my big family, especially my little cousins who sort of worship me like a queen. They’re like “Cece! Cece!” when I’m around. That’s literally the other thing I’m most excited about Chinese New Year celebration.
Any style advice on to wear on the big day?
I would say that the perfect clothings to wear on Chinese New Year are the ones that are comfortable to wear and won’t make your family feel uncomfortable, so you’d still get Ang Pao from them! So, wear something modest, comfortable and not too tight because we’re all definitely gonna eat a lot on the day and we want to breathe out comfortably, don’t we?
Besides Chinese New Year, we also have Valentine’s Day to celebrate this February. Are you that kind of person who regularly celebrates V-Day?
No, I really don’t. The last time I celebrated Valentine’s Day was in high school, when I was still blinded by love.
Are you saying that you’re no longer blinded by love now?
I still do, but I’m playing things cool. I give nothing but I secretly wait to receive some chocolates–when actually, the girls are the one who should be sending chocolates on Valentine’s Day, right? The guys’ turn is on White Day!
Any exciting project coming up soon?
I’m planning to hustle harder this year, I haven’t had any projects to share yet as I’m still dealing here and there. Wish me luck on that! Also, I’ll plan on focusing on my finishing my college degree.
Michelle Hendra
Can you introduce yourself a little?
My name is Michelle Hendra but people usually call me Michimomo. I’m a full-time content creator and entrepreneur for Arasseo.
How did you start your YouTube channel?
Actually I wasn’t planning on being a food vlogger. The reason I created my channel in the first place was because I was heavily inspired by Anna Akana, a YouTuber from the U.S., who shares motivational videos but in a funny way. I wanted to create similar contents on my channel but since I knew I hadn’t had subscribers, I thought about another option, which is eating in front of camera because eating is the thing I love doing, and turned out I received positive feedback. So, I guess I’d focused on creating food content and building up my subscribers. Maybe in the near future I’ll start adding motivational videos to my channel.
What kind of motivational videos are you planning to make?
More like women empowerment content, ‘cause I’m a feminist! A quite vocal one actually. So, I’ll probably share more information about gender equality, like how women have the same rights as men do and stereotypes of women such as being expected to get married and take care of household responsibilities.. Stuff like that.
Can you tell us how does a day in your life look like?
A day in my life? I wake up really late by the way, ‘cause I sleep quite late. So, once I wake up I usually check my schedule for that day, and then I’ll have lunch and go to some events if there are any. Once I’m done, I’ll have dinner and I’ll try to see my boyfriend everyday if possible, but if it’s not then it’s not a problem. Next, I’ll get home and get myself in the mood to edit my videos ‘cause I’m still doing it all myself.
We’re celebrating the Year of Earth Pig this year. What tradition does your family have for Chinese New Year?
Actually, Chinese New Year is that one celebration that I’m waiting for each year. Besides receiving Ang Pao, I get to meet my big family. Well, since my parents are not the older siblings in the family, usually we visit older relatives’ houses and we’ll end up gathering in one house, usually at my grandpa’s younger sibling’s house in Tangerang.
What are you most excited about Chinese New Year celebration?
Definitely catching up with my big family. Because by the time we grow older, we live separately and only meet one another for once or twice a year–and sincia is that time of the year where everyone gathers together, so, that’s what I’m most excited about. Catching up with cousins, sharing some family gossips, oh, that’s a total fun!
Any style advice on what to wear on the big day?
Chinese New Year celebration is associated with food, lots of it. I don’t know whether the word comes from bahasa Indonesia or Palembang, but we’ll be doing sanjo, or coming from one house to another, and the hosts usually serve food for the guests. So, for me, I think what you have to wear is something that’s comfortable since you’ll moving around and eat a lot. Probably, avoid wearing something that’s too tight?
April Jane Widira
How are you feeling today?
I’m feeling kinda sleepy because of school before but I’m okay.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is April Jane Widira, I’m 14 years old and I’m currently still at school in 9th grade. I’m also a content creator, with my sister.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
To be honest, it’s having a platform where when you say something, many people are listening and they trust you. I think that’s what’s really cool.
Has fashion always been your passion?
I guess I’ve been growing up with it as my parents work in the fashion industry. So, I guess, I’ve always grown up with it. But, yeah.
Can you tell us how does a day in your life look like?
I usually wake up at 6, then I go to school, end my school at 3.15. After that, if I’m feeling productive, I go to the gym with my sister or practice some football. If I have time, I like to bake and I usually procrastinate doing my homework hehe. I sleep late usually, but I’m trying to sleep early right now.
We’re celebrating the Year of Earth Pig this year. What tradition does your family have for Chinese New Year?
We usually just gather in a relative’s house: one from my grandpa’s side and one from my grandma’s side. We just usually eat and stuff and spend time together.
What are you most excited about Chinese New Year celebration?
Probably the food and spending time with my family. There’s a lot of food, my grandma likes to cook a lot, so I can’t name all of them, but there’s a lot actually. Hehe.
Any style advice on to wear on the big day?
I think you should just wear something comfortable but also don’t be too casual, because it’s gonna be a long day and it’s usually really hot during Chinese New Year. So, I think it’s good to stay comfortable.
What are you going to wear?
There’s a lot of things that I wanna wear but there’s only two days, so, I’m still choosing right now.
Vanessa Andrea
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Vanessa, but people usually know me as cherrydreamy. I am a content creator and I mainly use Instagram [as my photo sharing platform].
What are you working on at the moment?
There’s nothing special yet, just taking and editing photos every day, day to night. Usually, before I go out to take some outfit photos, I check out the places I want to visit on the internet so I can match my outfits with the ambience.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
It’s really fun. I got sent clothes and stuff. Well, although I get freebies all the time, I still love shopping, but now I kind of allocate my shopping budget for other things than clothings.
We’re celebrating the Year of Earth Pig this year. What tradition does your family have for Chinese New Year?
Since I’m a Medanesse, I usually celebrate Chinese New Year in Medan. But this year’s gonna be the second year of me celebrating the day in Jakarta since I got married. FYI, in Medan, Chinese New Year celebration is even merrier and the holiday is even longer, it can take up to a week long! Usually, on the night before, our families will gather for Sa Cap Meh and my grandma will make us hot pot.
What are you most excited about Chinese New Year celebration?
I’m still waiting for someone to accidentally giving me Ang Pao. Who knows that they actually forgot that I am married? [Laughs] Well, actually it’s catching up with the family that I’m waiting for.
Any style advice on what to wear on the big day?
Since 2019 will be the Year of [Earth] Pig, I guess I’ll advise any of you who don’t usually wear pink to wear more pink this year!
Any exciting project coming up soon?
I’m currently having my house renovated. In case you don’t already know, you can check out the highlighted stories on my Instagram. Actually, I’ve been renovating the house since last year and now it’s almost finished, I’m also on the hunt for home furniture to decor my house with.
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