Many people say that love borne out of friendship is the best kind. The reasoning behind it is that when you fall in love with a friend, you already know the person well, and your friendship will serve as a solid foundation for your relationship. That much can be said for the unique bond between El Rumi and Syifa Hadju. Having been casual acquaintances for a number of years, the actress and musician/comedian decided to take their friendship to another level.
“We actually already knew each other but we never really talked or spent that much time together. It started with messages on Instagram, and then before I knew it, our messaging became constant,” shares Syifa. After some time, El asked Syifa if she wanted to try out a new restaurant that supposedly served good food. “He asked me if I wanted to go try it out with him, and I went. On our first date, it was like being with someone I already knew, someone I was familiar with. We began talking regularly and we became very comfortable with one another.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Syifa, an actress who has starred in a number of movies and TV series, including the recently concluded “Saleha” (2024) and “Mermaid in Love” (2016), describes herself as an independent woman who did not like to rely or depend on other people. Since meeting El, she has softened on this stance and remarks, “I thought I could be alone, that I wanted to be alone. But since being with El, I have come to realise that being with the right person makes all the difference.”
Asked about their first impressions of one another, Syifa answers, “I saw him as a funny guy, but on our first date, I realised he could also be a romantic guy,” while El declares, “I didn’t expect her to be funny as well. I knew she was beautiful, that’s a fact, but finding out that she also has a healthy sense of humour was a surprisingly good thing to discover.”
A musician and drummer of the Lucky Laki band, El is the son of two pillars in Indonesia’s music industry. He is also a budding comedian and mainstay of the TV game show “Arisan,” which airs on Trans7. Though technically hailing from the entertainment industry, El and Syifa work in different areas of the field, with Syifa focusing on acting, and El concentrating on music and comedy. Regardless of this difference, they support one another in all their projects.
“Because we delve in different areas of entertainment, there are things we can learn from one another. For my part, I have learned more about music and comedy because of him. He is also very passionate about comedy and it amazes me, because now I see a different side of him. It astounds me that he wants to show that side of him. El is very passionate about comedy, and that makes me happy. I like seeing him do what he loves,” shares Syifa. Conversely, El shows support for Syifa by always being there for her, discussing her projects with her, and even telling her to go slow, “I’m now taking a break after doing a TV drama for a year. El understands this and even tells me to take my time before starting work again.”
A self-described introvert, Syifa actually considers the entertainment industry as somewhat out of her comfort zone. However, she is passionate about acting and conveying different emotions through the screen, “It gives me satisfaction when I get to play different characters and live different lives even just for a while,” she relays.
As two people who both enjoy their work, El and Syifa have also developed new strengths as they push themselves to thrive outside of their comfort zones. El, who lauds his girlfriend for her good attitude and distinctive way of presenting herself, is now also learning to be more relaxed and to have a positive attitude whatever comes his way. “Syifa is so kind and respectful to old people, even to animals. She has a really good heart,” he continues, to which Syifa states, “Even though we are different people, I’m introverted and El’s an extrovert, we have shown each other that we are willing to adjust, to compromise. For example, I thank God that I have a boyfriend who can match the way I dress. Now that I’m with El, he understands that there are moments, occasions that he needs to match my outfit, to look nice. The important thing is he makes an effort. He understands that he has to dress up occasionally and I appreciate that.”
Asked about what they like to do together, El comments, “We really love to eat good food. Any time we are free, we try new things. We also like to travel. Before Syifa, I liked travelling alone. Now that I have Syifa, I have a partner to travel with, a special someone to dine with. We want to travel the world, go to different countries, see the sights and savour different cuisines.”
Blessed with a reciprocal relationship, El and Syifa value the time they have together and consider every day a blessing. With their styles also fairly matching, they express admiration for Bell & Ross watches, including the new BR-03 Skeleton trilogy and the BR-05 36 mm. “Bell & Ross watches have a very distinct square shape. They’re solid and very unique. The newly resized BR-05 36 mm, in particular, are great for everyday wear. They’re also well-suited for couples like us,” he offers with a grin.
Just like the Bell & Ross watches on their wrists, Syifa Hadju and El Rumi go together like two peas in a pod, two souls that complement one another. They are the ideal embodiment that when things are meant to be, they happen naturally, almost perfectly.
Creative Direction & Fashion Styling: Charlene Atalie
Photography: Prabowo Prajogio
Make-up & Grooming: Leo Afandi
Hair Styling: Iwan Taufik
