You might be familiar with a folklore Damarwulan-Minakjinggo, about conflict between two kingdoms, Majapahit, the gigantic kingdom and Blambangan Kingdom, a kingdom that never bowed toward Majapahit that yielded Paregreg war.

Blambangan  is located on the east of Banyuwangi city in East Java. The eastern border of the kingdom was Bali strait. Blambangan derives from bala means people and ombo means big or numerous. Blambangan means kingdom with big number of people.

There is now certain record on how this kingdom established. Damarwulan-Minakjinggo folklore was familiar since Majapahit. Yet, there are several sources regarding Blambangan : Serat Kanda (18th century), Serat Damarwulan (1815), Serat Raja Blambangan (1774) which were written after the heyday of Blambangan Kingdom, notably on the period of Mataram Islam and Dutch colonial era in Java.

Other source regarding Blambangan kingdom existence is Pararathon. Though Blambangan was not mentioned in pararathon, but name of Arya Wiraraja and Lamajang will help us to find the early history of Blambangan kingdom.

It is difficult to trace Blambangan kingdom as the shortage of data and facts. But if we map the early history of Majaahit in the period of Sri Nata Sanggramawijaya or Raden Wijaya, then there will be a light around Blambangan history. Raden Wijaya and his crew escaped to Songeneb or Sumenep in Madura to ask for Arya WIraraja help to defeat Jayakatwang who had subverted Kertanegara in Singasari. According to Pararathon, Raden Wijaya promised if Jayakatwang can be overthrown, he would share his area with Arya Wiraraja. When Arya Wiraraja was young he was Singasari official, and he was close with Raden Wijaya who was the son in law and nephew of Kertanegara.

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To be continued…

Generally, Indonesian history of electricity started in 1897 when Nederlandsche Indische Electriciteit Maatschappij (NIEM) was erected in Batavia. Surabaya electricity began in 26 April 1909 when NIGM, a gas company,  was erected , called Algemeene Nederlandsche Indische Electriciteit Maatschappij (ANIEM).

Previously, city electricity used gas channeled to houses and street light. ANIEM was one of private companies given the authority to develop and manage electricity system in East Indies. Before PLN (Indonesian Electricity Company) was given electricity monopoly in Indonesia, electricity was managed by private companies.

ANIEM is one of companies under NV Handelsvennootschap that previously was Maintz & Co. This company was located in Amsterdam and entered Surabaya in the end of 19th century by erecting a gas company Nederlandsche Indische Gas Maatschappij (NIGM)

When ANIEM was established in 1909, this company was given the right to build several power plant with its distribution system in Java. ANIEM grew as the biggest electricity company in Indonesia and favor 40% distribution of country’s need. As the increasing of demand, ANIEM fasten the expansion. In 26 August 1921, the company received consesion in Banjarmasin and the contract was valid until 31 december 1960. In 1937, Central, East Java and Kalimantan electricity was trusted to ANIEM.

Electricity tower in ANIEM time were mostly alredy gone.Few are left but the condition is not good.

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This building is located in Jalan Gentengkali 89-91, Surabaya, and was popular as Club House in the past. This building is owned by an institution. According to 1930s record, the building was used as German association called Das Deutsche Verein , an association of European especially Dutch and German loved dancing.

The building size approximately 3974 m3 and this could be the biggest societeit in Surabaya. In 1946, the building was purchased by a Chinese, Phoe Sin Khoen, and later this was given to the association of Deucse , later the association name changed to Lien Huan She and then changed again to Balai Sahabat. The building had been also used as KOSTRAD.

The activity of association member were dancing (until today), tennis, bridge, billiard, and yoga.

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Hendrik Petrus Berlage was a Dutch architect born in 21 February 1856. though he was not one of 4 prophets of architecture influencing modern architecture:  Le Corbusier, Walter Grophius, Frank Lloyd
Wright, and Mies van de Rohe but his works, ideology and even is architecture theory is in that mainstream. In a certain level, perhaps just because he was not born in USA or German, that he did not inherit Bauhaus tradition, then Berlage was not really known as those 4 figures.

Berlage was recognized in 1905, when he published Gedanken which was written for study subject he taught in previous year. This work then revised, and extended and developed in 1908, and then published as Grundlagen. Those two works shows contect and value about new concept and architecture, distinct then before.

Berlage’s popular architectural works are: “Commodities Exchange “ in Amsterdam (1897 –
1909); Christian ScienceChurch, at The Hague, Netherlands (1925 – 1926); Municipal Museum, at The Hague, Netherlands (1927 -1935); Diamond Workers’ Union Building “ in Amsterdam ( 1899 – 1900); “ Holand House “ in  London ( 1934 ).

Though he was busy as a practitioner architect, he had interest in philosophy and architecture theory. He studied Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and also learnt architecture theories from 19th century such as Ruskin, Semper, and  Viollet le Duc. Even so , Berlage did not like 19th century capitalism behavior toward mass production, speculation and fake new revivals. Though Ruskin, Semper, and Viollet Le Duc worked in neo style, for Berlage, purification and structural approach  had made them as school for the new architecture.

Berlage defined new architecture principals based on world and ideology view, that architecture should be based on equal social, for human being especially labor. This showed left stance in architecture. According to Berlage, only social structure from a culture which can be a source and true inspiration in society. Both are regulated in Unity in Plurality of Goethe.

Even so, Gottfired Semper also formulated Einheit und Vielheit (Unity and Plurality) in his work Prolegomena, a a chapter used by Berlage as catechism. Therefore can be concluded that Berlage based his concept more on Semper than Goethe. Berlage’s work expressed it, from the way he classified diversity spatial-functional units, designed as a synthetic unity. Further, Berlage visually explained the principal with certain geometrical ratios ruled by triangular and quadrangular method.

He believed that style is unity in plurality, style is repose, style is order. In Grundlagen, he delineated that geometric comparison laws, by mentioning work of Egypt pyramid, Vitruvius, Violet Le Duc, and so on. In his opinion, geometric and proportion had become general principal in mainstream style in the past.

Essentially,  principal was immaterial, and as an untouchable cohesion from time and space aspects.In that context, Berlage said that space should be proportional  and showed that proportion is visible. target of the architecture was creating space, that architecture should begin from space.

Even so, Berlage and Viollet le Duc, mentioned that geometric was merely a tool, and not more than just a tool to  reach target. Only by unity and diversity are formed, then architecture became an art of space.

The second  Berlage principal was rejection toward approach from outside to inside by eclectic styles. In his opinion architect should design from in to outside not the opposite, that should reveal reality not fake appearance. As architecture is an art of scope, its main value should attach on space. True scope ws formed by walls that should stay planar and bare without too much ornament as in 19th century architectural works.

The third base of spatial idea of Berlage was from the economic-social necessity from new workers society, a concept called as Sachlichkeit, in Jermany. According to Berlage, functionalism was the correct way to reach social economic equality for human. Thus, spatial aesthetic is extended to be functional aesthetic.

Polisi Istimewa or Special Police role in defensing Indonesian battle is very significant. In Japanese occupation, this unit was named as ‘Tokubetsu Keisatsu Tai’, a battle-trained troop. Japanese also formed Heiho, a troop which is separated from Japanese military unit, PETA (Pembela Tanah Air).

After proclamation by Ir Soekarno and Moh Hatta in 17 August 1945 and Surabaya people did not hear this directly. Japanese was tricky that it dismissed Haidan PETA in Gunungsari Surabaya and Heiho without giving information about Japanese loss in East Asia. In 19 August 1945, Surabaya people knew about Independence proclamation from Soeara Asia news paper.
One of high quality of troop and had arms in Surabaya was Polisi Istimewa led by Mon Jasin, yet there was a possibility that Japanese would disarm Polisi Istimewa.

Former Daindancho Gresik, drg Moestopo ordered former Shodancho Abdurahman to meet head of Polisi Istimewa Moh Jasin to warn him tot to be alert of Japanese to disarm his squadron. On Tuesday 21 August 1945, at 07.00, all Polisi Istimewa squadron, round 250 members, gathered in front of Polisi Istimewa base, on Jalan Coen Boulevard, Surabaya, currently Jalan Polisi Istimewa. After raising The Red and White, Inspector Moh Jasin read proclamation: “Oentoek bersatoe dengan rakjat dalam perdjoeangan mempertahankan Proklamasi 17 Agustus 1945, dengan ini menjatakan Polisi sebagai Polisi Republik Indonesia.” (To unite with people in stuggle to defense 17 August 1945 proclamation, with this stated that police as Republic Indonesia Police’

After reading proclamation,Jasin asked all police members to do parade alert to show force and battle preparedness. With steel vehicle and trucks with red and white flag heading to Jalan Tunjungan, Surabaya. Proclamation then typed and spread and attached on street. Proclamation supported former Heiho troop and PETA which had been dismissed to take over and disarm the Japanese.

Police of Republik Indonesia was involved in the effort to attack and take over Japanese arms. In Kempetai building raid, as Japanese fortress defense, Jasin had discussion with Kempetai commander. If Kempetai gave up then he would guarantee their lives. The freedom fighters then took the Japs weapon stored in their arsenals. They also raid Japanese Navy arsenal in Embong Wungu street that ended by surrendering arms and signed by Jasin as the Indonesia representative. The arms handover at Don Bosco building at Jalan Tidar, the biggest Japanese arsenal in South East Asia, Yasin waas assisted by Bung Tomo. Surabaya was then under the surveillance of Police of Republic Indonesia.

With the arms, Moh Jasin the led his troop directly to face British and Dutch landed in Tanjung Perak harbor of Surabaya on October 25 1945. Polisi Republik Indonesia was also involved in flag incident at Hotel Yamato and 10th November 1945 battle in Surabaya.  The Polisi Republik Indonesia troop showed its force and showed never-give-up attitude. Jasin ordered his troop to attack and protect  Indonesian organization which moved backward to the city fringe. He applied guerrilla strategy.

On 14 November 1946, Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir changed Polisi Istimewa to Mobile Brigade (Mobrig) and later the term changed to Brigade Mobil (Brimob) on 1961. The date then decided as the anniversary of blue beret , the alias of Brimob. Moh Jasin was born in Bau bau, Buton on 9 June 1920, formed Brimob as ordered by the head of Republic Indonesia Police, Raden Said Soekanto Tjokrodimodjo, when he was the head of Malang Police. Jasin then was promoted as the father of Indonesia Police Brimob.

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Current Gedung Wismilak is one of preserved old building in Surabaya. This building had two floors with colonial style and estimated to be constructed in 1920s. Fro outside seems like it has only one floor. The wall has ornaments of beautiful and unique pentagon windows.

The first floor is made of natural rock, while the second floor is made of wood. The total size of the building is 999.98 sqm and the first floor is 495 sqm. While second floor is 504.64 sqm.

Previously the building is known as former police department office. This building is part of Indonesia’s Police history. Even proclamation, and existence of Special Police (Polisi Istimewa) were already in history before the formation of Indonesian Police.

Since 3 July 1993, the building was taken over to Wismilak from its heir. So actually this building was private property, and it was empty that it was used as police dept office. The building was officially finished in 9 September 2009 by Mr Willy Walla, the president Director of PT Wismilak Makmur. This building has 4 floors with additional roof and top floor. The current design is adapted from its original design.

Schoemakaer life was full of turbulence and rich experience as architect. The nicknames given to him were: Army Zeni Engineer, carver, architect, professor of architecture. His experience for 35 years ranged from army zeni engineer in Java and Sumatra, as East Indies architect, private architect and as professor in ITB.

Schoemaker was bor in Banyuwbiru, nearby Salatiga, Central Java, in 1882. He finished his study in Nijmegen from 1897-1902. Between 1902 to 1905 he went to Military academy in Breda. He was graduated as Lieutenant, he  worked in zeni corp of Holland kingdom. He worked to build railway and telegraph network in Preanger, West java and later in 1908-1910 he worked in Padang and finally in 1910 to 1911 and positioned in corps quarter in Batavia. In that year he also ended his career in Holland kingdom officially. From Otober 1912 to June 1913, he worked as architect in Gemeente Bataia. He designed Gemeente Batavia hospital, that later evolved as Dr Copto Mangunkusumo hospital. AFter 9 months working at Gemente Batavia, he moved to Moojen & Company. He worked there for 9 months where he handled various designs such as small railway station, Madiun railway garage comples, water tower in Surabaya and so on. .

In February 1917, he worked in Gementee Batavia again but this time as director. He designed wide ranges of building from market, abattoir, chilling facility and Batavia city planning generally. He married 5 times, with Lucie Hofstede in 1916, with Nannie van Oppen in 1921, with Ouw Joe Hwa Nio in 1933, with Corona Hilgers in 1935 and the last was with Yetty van Brueghen until his death in 1949.

Schoemaker’s family was military family. His father and brother were officials of Dutch army. His mother was from Clarenbach family, also came from military family. Shoemaker and Clarenbach were originally from Germany.

Shoemaker moved to work in Carl Schlieper & Company, a technical equipments and machines company. This company sent him for comparison study to Europe and USA. He stayed in USA for long enough period as in Europe there was WW I. In USa he visited New York, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit Chicago,
Washington, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, San Franssisco to study their city plans, transportation plan, modern architecture and construction technology. He returned to Batavia on May 1918.

He then chose to work in Bandung, in 1918. When Sekolah Tinggi Teknik Bandung was designed by Pont, he taucht there and in 1924 he was promoted as professor of architecture, he had that title until 1941. He had also architect bureau , C.P. Schoemaker en Associate Architecten en
Ingenieurs. Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president, ever worked there in Bandung. He died in 1949, in 67 years old. He was buried in Cikutra cemetery , Bandung.

He has 35 years of experience as architct and there were many buildings he designed in Indonesia. Schoemaker works had been landmark in cities in Java, such as:

1. Sukamiskin Jail in Bandung (1919)
2. Jaarbeurs Building in bandung (1927)
3. Koloniale Bank , Surabaya (1927)
4. Hotel Preanger – Bandung (1930)
5. Mesjid Cipaganti – Bandung (1933)
6. Santo Petrus Church – Bandung ( 1922 )
7. Villa Isola – Bandung (1933)

His design always change. But the very obvious change happened after he returned from USA in 1918. USA modern architecture influenced him. Especially the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, famous american architect in that period. This can be seen from Koloniale Bank in Surabaya and Hotel Preanger in Bandung, where there are dominant lines parallel with ground surface, and details of geometric, the typical of Frank Lloyd Wright. But after 1930, his design had found his own style. Villa Isola was designed in 1933 and one of his masterpiece, showing romanticism and adventure. This villa is one of successful art deco of modern architecture.

Pont architecture background concept is different with Schoemaker and Ghijsel , though they studied basic of architecture in Holland. Pont works are relatively less than Schoemaker and Ghijsel. Pont is famous was not because of his real works but for his Indies architecture.

His Indies idea is linear with his colleague Thomas Karsten. He was often involved in polemic with Schoemaker around Indies architecture idea.

Pont was born on 21 June 1884, in Meester Coenelis, Jatinegara-Batavia. His family had been in East Indies for 5 generations. In 1893, when he was 9 years old, Pont returned to Holland with his family for his elementary education. In 1902, he went to Technical School in Delf. He was graduated in 1909, and worked as architect assistant in Holalnd. He returned in Java in 1911 with his uncle, Henri de Vogel, an official in railway “Semarang-Cheribon Stoomtram Maatschappij’ in Tegal. Later he designed the quarter of railway in Tegal, as his first work in East Indies. Though his work had not shown local architecture, but his sensitivity of local climate and the use of raw material, his sensitivity of of local technology were the early phase of his love of local architecture.

The train station location was located on the west part of Tegal city square, and this added his knowledge and perception toward Javanese architectural plan. In 1913, Pont decided to stay in Semarang. He opened his first architect office and there lots of project came for him. He did various projects from houses on the West Semarang, planning and development of South Semarang, the extension of  of Darmo area in Surabaya, sugar factory stores in tegal, Cirebon and Cilacap, and so on. He later asked his friend in Holland Thomas Karsten to assist him in Semarang.

Between 1913-1915 on Sunday and holiday, he used his day to visit regions having rich of past remains as temples in Central Java and remains of Majapahit Empire in Trowulan Mojokerto. His visits to those places influenced his life and architecture concept. Pont was busy with his various activities and later he returned to Holland for health reason. In 1916, his office was submitted to his colleagues, Karsten, Lutjens, Seenstra and Toussaint.

After few years in Holland, on 1918, Pont received an invitation to design the first Technical School in East Indies, in Bandung (currently ITB). Pont was chosen as he was considered as an architect who comprehended local traditional design, one of the new building design criterion. The result was a combination of architecture of modern structure of plywood.  with harmonious traditional architecture roof. For years Pont work had been as one of successful modern-traditional architecture masterpieces. In 1921 to 1924, Pont worked in one of Health Deptof East Indies. In 1924, Pont was assigned to design housing complex for company employees of Oos Java Stoomtram in Surabaya. On this opportunity, he visited Trowulan, considered as the former of Majapahit Empire capital in the past.  After finishing his assignment in govt in 1924, Pont decided to stay in Trowulan. For his will and support of Prof FDK Bosch, Pont made effort to reconstruct that former capital of Majapahit.

In those years he wrote about Javanese architecture that are still used as reference for Javanese architecture writers. Between 1924-1943, Pont put his time and effort for the former capital of Majapahit.  One of his popular work on that period was Catholic church designed in 1936.

Between 1943-1945, Pont became internee’s of Japanese. After the end of 2nd World War II, he was invited to be professor of architecture in ITB, where its building was designed by him 25 years ago. His health was deteriorating that he had to be cared in Brisbane Australia. In 1946, his health recovered, and he returned to Indonesia, but in that period every Dutch officials and authority had been replaced by Indonesian.  He later returned to Holland and on September 1946. In 1971, Pont died in Holland.

Helen Jessep said “Henri Maclaine Pont perhaps travelled further down the road of identification
with Java than almost any other Dutchman …..”. Here are few importants Pont’s works:
1. Tegal Railway Station 1911.
2. Sekolah Tinggi Teknik Bandung in 1918
3. Pohsarang Church, Kediri, 1936
Pont’s works after 1920s had certain direction. He wanted to identified his design by Nisantara traditional architecture, especially Javanese style. His knowledge about local architecture is shown by his writings. Puhsarang church is one of evidences of his in depth approach about Indonesia tradition mixed with modern architecture. This can be seen from its rooms, construction system formation and the use of local materials. Entirely, Niuewe Kunst style from Holland influenced  which was emerged in Holland when Pont studied in 1900s where Berlage was one of its pioneers.

Darmo Hospital is located at Jalan Darmo, Surabaya. The exterior is very interesting, it is in the shape of triangle, as the shape of the roof, very colonial. On the gavel there is logo of the hospital says Salus Aegroti Suprema Lex Est means Health for Sick Person is the highest law. The corridor has three curve and the main access has smaller curve with pair of symmetrical double window.

After Indonesian independence there was a rejection of colonial style architecture that appreared jengki architecture, with typical of saddle-like roof, awry gavel, porch, asymmetric window sills and more soft interior.

In front of the hospital there is an inscription : This building was used by Japanese as children and women internees camp  . Allies came, and the camp was taken over by Lieutenant Colonel Rendall. Celebes youngsters passed on 27 October 1945 and shot by them, that initiated 3 days battle from 28 to 30 October.

On the 3 days battle almost 6000 Mallaby’s troop were killed if Soekarno -Hatta did not came to peace them. Many Indonesian were killed as well. Mallaby died on 30 October, that British would like to revenge on 10 November 1945 and ended 3 weeks later.

On the  wall of Darmo hospital, there is a beautiful carving says : Eerste steen gelegd 15 Januari 1921 Door Mejuffr G. Hempenius Directrice SZV means the official constuction was on 15 January by G. Mejuffr Hempenius Direktris SZV. The architect of this hospital was Citroen.

SZV stands for Surabajasche Zieken Verpleging, a social institution for public health erected in 9 June 1897 by a Dutch doctor, HJ Offerhaus. The hospital was used by Japanese for internee of Japanese and later used as defense of the Allies. On 27 October 1945, one of battle in Surabaya took place here.

Leo Kristi song was inspired by the writing behind the box inside the hospital, that was when she saw a women cried for his child could not be saved.

Before erecting the hospital, SZV had erected a clinic in Ngemplak with 78 beds, led by Zr Bonnekamp. In Japan occupation, Dutch sisters opened a clinic in Jalan Jawa, but later was closed. After Japanese left, the hospital was rebuilt by the donation of  “Stichting Medisch Contact Oost Java” an institution supported by 55 big companies in Indonesia.

His name maybe is not very popular even for Surabaya people. But his works can be seen many in Surabaya. Citroen works are admitted by architects as high quality works and very dominant in Surabaya, that they can be used as barometer of colonial architecture development in Surabaya between 1915 to 1940. Berlage mentioned that Surabaya was architecturally belonged to Citroen.

Citroen, The second generation of architect, was born in 1881 in Amsterdam and settled in Surabaya from 1915 to 1935. He finished his education in Rijknormaalschool, Amsterdam. In 1902-1915, for 13 years, he worked for BJ Quendag , an architect bureau in Amsterdam. Citroen was involved directly in designing colonial architecture in Indonesia.

One of his important works was “Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Mij” or known as Lawang Sewu Building in Semarang, where Citroen involved with Prof Klinkhamer and BJ Quendag. Lawang Sewu was popular as colonial architecture building designed as its local climate and one of pioneer in tropical architecture, that later used as principal for Citoen’s next works.

After working for 13 years in BJ Quendag’s office, Citroen moved and settled in Surabaya for the plan to build city hall of Surabaya. In 1915-1916 for the first time Citroen designed Surabaya city hall. And for financial and some other matters, the plan ould not be executed. In 1920, there was a shift of plan and location that Citroen renew his design. In 1925, the hall was built and part of the building could be seen as today.

City hall was designed in the early 20th century when Europe and US were stormed by new design theory, architecture style and school. Those concepts were Art Nouveau, from Belgium and Art and Craft of the Machine of Frank Lloyd Wright, Organic Architecture of Frank Walter Grophius with its Bauhaus, De Style with its neo plasticism, Amsterdam School with its expressionism and so on. The architectures which are  full of ornamental details from 19th century were left behind.

Citroen mixed modern architecture style with local climate creating distinct colonial architecture than general western architecture. Surabaya Municipality Building architecture shows firm modern style. Yet as Amsterdam architect, he applied Amsterdam school architecture with expressive channel detail. The long designing period made him planning interior detail even the furniture. This is the masterpiece of Citroen.

In renovation of Cosieteit Concordia building as BPM office in 1917, Citroen applied more firm modern architecture style, that Lemei and Akihari classified Citroen as Nieuwe Bouwen colonial architect.

Other masterpiece of Citroen is Darmo Ziekenhuis (Darmo Hospital), designed in 1919. He put concern in humid tropical climate when designing this, as on Lawang Sewu Semarang. Borneo Smatra Maatschappij (Borsumij) is another work of him, located in Jalan Veteran Surabaya, this is his last work , he died on same year. The characteristics if Nieuwe Bouwen architecture is dominant color of white, flat roof, horizontal gavel and cubical shape.

He also designed bridges in Surabaya and town planning in Surabaya.

WORKS OF G.C. CITROEN
1915-1917: Surabaya city hall building
1917-1918: Renovation of Societeit Concordia on Jalan Veteran Surabaya
1917-1919: Fa Begeer, van Kempen en Vos shops complex at Jalan Tunjungan
1918: A house on Jl. Sumatra, Surabaya
1918: Villa in Lawang, Malang
1919: Jembatan Kebondalem, replaced with concrete bridge at Jalan Yos Sudarso
1919: Darmo Ziekenhuis , Jalan Darmo
1920: Second design of Surabaya city hall
1923: Wooden restaurant di Jaarmarkt, Surabaya
1923: Gubeng Bridge
1925: Renovation of “Suikersyndicaat” at Jalan Rajawali
Perbaikan Gedung “Suikersyndicaat” (kantor sindikat gula), Jl. Rajawali
1927: Surabaya city mayor house
1927: Interior of Malang City Hall
1930: Christ Church at Jl. Diponegoro, Surabaya
1932: Wonokromo Bridge
1932: A house on Jalan Kayoon
1935: Borneo Sumatra Maatschappij (Borsumij) office on Jl. Veteran Surabaya