Muscat: Entertainment in abundance at MCCP inaugural event
Clarence Pinto
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Pics: Arun Jivraj Lobo
Muscat, Aug 18: The newly formed executive committee of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP - Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) staged a phenomenal program of complete entertainment on Friday, August 16 in the main hall of Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi.
The new president of MCCP Lancy Lobo and his team succeeded in presenting their vision of the 22nd year of MCCP in their maiden program titled “MCCP Inaugural Program 2013” with high priority for entertainment, very limited speeches and honoring of dignitaries, exhibition of plenty of talents and above-all, a traditional and sumptuous Mangalorean style lunch by Muscat famous Alwyn Saldanha.
Lancy Thomas Lobo, a well-known personality among the Mangalorean Konkani speaking expatriates in Muscat and a talented artiste, and his vibrant team had put almost two months of meticulous preparation and diligent hard work to bring together many artistes, young and old, at one venue with an opportunity to demonstrate their high spirited talents and thus give a perfect entertainment to the whole community residing in Muscat. “We wanted to give priority to the wholesome entertainment of traditional value; a family oriented cultural extravaganza for the whole family.” Lancy Lobo told Daijiworld. “This sort of presentation will inspire many young and new Konkani talents to participate with great enthusiasm in the near future. I am sure, our families have enjoyed the traditional Mangalorean entertainment to the fullest.”
The holy mass in Konkani, an invocation of heavenly blessings on the forth-coming year and the community members in particular, commenced at 10 am in Sts Peter and Paul Church offered by Fr Wilson Rumao, spiritual director of MCCP and the Konkani community of the parish. Apolinaris D'souza, Dolphy Vaz, Loveline Rego, Dilip Correa, Valerian Peris, Victoria Soares, Anitha Lobo, Reena D'souza, Leera Aranha, Prescilla Menezes, Meena Lobo, Jessy Castelino, Jocelyn D'souza, Wilma Peris, Freeda Suares and Monica Dantis were the members of the Konkani choir which was lead by Apolinaris D Souza, a legendary musician of the community. Young musicians, Ashwitha Aranha and Dale Dantis, provided the suitable music. The mass readings were presented by Lancy Lobo, John Gonsalves, Alwin Pinto, John Mathias and Clifford Castelino. Fr Wilson Rumao in his inspiring homily emphasized on sacrifice of mother and thus related the Heavenly Mother’s love to the humanity.
After the holy mass, the community members gathered in the main hall and snacks with soft drinks were served.
With the curtain raise of the main hall at 11.30 am, the presentation of the legendary MCCP anthem, master piece creation of Oswald D Souza - Prince of Konkani Music in Muscat and Walter Monterio, gave a perfect start to the marvelous entertainment. The singers of “Parameshwara” song were Apolinaris D'souza, Rony Lobo, Dolphy Vaz, Dilip Correa, Noel Machado, Jonathan Bennett, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Anitha Lobo and Reena D'souza
Nirmala Goveas, one of the best known anchors of the Konkani community in Oman, past vice president of MCCP and the finalist of the second version of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore – a mega show of singing talent hunt in the Gulf Region held in Dubai, commenced the program with a welcome note. As usual, throughout the program, she was very fluent in presenting brilliant poetic introduction and graceful narration. Fr Wilson Rumao offered the opening prayers.
As the annual theme was based on the family, a tableau depicting the holy family of Nazareth with St. Joseph, Mother Mary and Child Jesus was presented by Melwin and Trecilla Menezes and Andril Lobo which was directed by Alwin Pinto.
A well-known toastmaster of the region with multiple talents, Konkani activist, singer, stage actor and past vice president of MCCP, Dilip Correa continued the program anchoring and introduced the new president Lancy Thomas Lobo and requested for the presidential address. Throughout the program, Dilip Correa was extremely good in his presentation and could very well attract the attention of the audience.
Lancy Lobo, before presenting his address, briefly introduced and invited the following new executive committee for the year 2013 – 2014 to the stage.
Ophelia Lazarus - Vice-president : Finance & sports committee
Nancy Vaz - Vice-president : Cultural, spiritual & community services committee
Celine D Souza - General secretary
John F. Gonsalves - Honorary treasurer
Stany Menezes - Internal auditor
John Mathias - Sports secretary
Reena D Souza - Cultural secretary
Clifford Castelino - Spiritual secretary
Alwin Pinto - Community services secretary
The lighting of the lamp ceremony was performed by the executive committee members and the spiritual director indicating the dawn of a new year in the history of MCCP.
Fr Wilson Rumao in his address greatly appreciated the new annual theme of the year - “Exemplary Family – Foundation of the Society” (Dekivonth Kutam – Somajechi Buniyaad) and called upon everyone to build their ideal families so that all can help to build a better society and better world at large. He also appreciated the hard work and dedication of the new committee in presenting a good program for the community.
The annual theme for the twenty second year - “Dekivonth Kutam – Somajechi Buniyaad” (Exemplary Family – Foundation of the Society ) was released by the spiritual director, president and EC team and then, a brand new song composed by Apolinaris D Souza based on the new annual theme was sung by Apolinaris D'souza, Rony Lobo, Dolphy Vaz, Dilip Correa, Noel Machado, Jonathan Bennett, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Anitha Lobo and Reena D'souza.
The sponsors of the event were honored with floral bouquets by the President and the ceremony was perfectly conducted by John Gonsalves, Honorary Tresurer of MCCP
From this point, “An Entertainment in Abundance” program with many beautiful songs, enchanting dances and nice skits commenced giving a plenty amusement to the audience
Dolphy Vaz, one of the finest singers of the Konkani Community in Oman and finalist of the first Gulf Voice of Mangalore held in Kuwait, beautifully presented a goldie-oldie song “Rosaline’ which was loved by many in the audience. Victoria Soares, “ Beautiful Voice of Muscat”, presented Raat Aichi to giving a thrilling experience to the audience to which Jonathan Benett and Jyotsna Andrea D Souza supported with their charming dance. The melodious songs - Senorita by Noel Machado, Ye Ye Katrina by Dilip Correa and Anitha Lobo, Kaaliz Lasta by Gulf Voice of Mangalore champion Reena D Souza, GOINKARA MANGLURGARA by Apolinaris D Souza and Nirmala Goveas, ALTHODI THAVN POLTHODI by Dolphy Vaz, Rony Lobo, Noel Machado And Jonathan Bennett with dance by Priyanka Mendonca, Rishal D'souza, Rebecca D'souza, Justin Gonsalves, Darryl Saldanha Roshel Lobo and finally, YE NAARI YE by Jonathan Bennett, Apolinaris D'souza , Rony Lobo , Dolphy Vaz And Noel Machado were really fascinating.
Three Konkani skits by Walter Pinto, Walter Mendonca, Helen Sequeira, Peter D Souza, Saira D Souza and Shailesh entertained the audience.
It is really noteworthy to mention the tremendous efforts put by the various artistes of the community and choreographers in presenting the various dance performances. Most of the participants had the great ability of presenting enjoyable and attractive dance show. Mangalorchim Kittalam team with members Liza D'sa, Craig Matthias, Stacy Vaz, Andril Lobo, Melina Goveas, Shane Menezes, Reia Correa, Lional Vaz, Chelsia D'Sa, Johan Furtado, Meurel D'Souza, Aaron Saldanha, Lizy Barboza and Macniel D'Souza with choreographer Sylvester Vaz presented a sensational dance.
Ghalatian Rockstars with choreographer Priyanka Mendonsa and members Priyanka Mendonsa, Michelle Gonsalves, Jeston Gonsalves, Roshal Lobo, Rishal D’souza, Rebecca D’souza, Jyostna D’souza And Shaveena Menezes gave a thrilling dance performance. Priyanka Mendonsa was honored with a floral bouquet being the youngest choreographer of the community.
Sonia DSouza, well-known choreographer dazzled the stage with Ultimate Generation’s marvelous dance with their members Ralitsa Correa, Lenita Lobo, Caroline Dsouza, Megan Dsouza, Shaina Rebello, Saurav Rebello, Dean Dsouza, Vijeth
The meritorious students of the community were also honored and the ceremony was conducted by Celine D Souza – General Secretary of MCCP and an ebullient toastmaster of Oman. Present on the stage were Fr Wilson Rumao, Lancy Lobo and Mrs. Eula Pinto, one of the very active supporter of MCCP and Ex-Vice President of MCCP
The following children were honored
12th Grade
Chrystle Anisha Mascarenhas – 95%
Gretel Misquith – 90%
Alan Nixon Saldanha – 89.8%
Rachel Belinda Fernandes – 86.4%
Shanan D’souza – 86.6%
Ryan Maxwell George – 85%
10th Grade
Anthea Abreo – Cumulative Grade Point Average – 10
Chrisma Clare D’souza – 10
Amanda Fernandes- 10
Edel D’souza - 10
Fiona Melreen Castelino – 9.8
Zahrin Judith D’silva – 9.6
Galeo Macleen Leema – 9.4
Sellwyn Sunil D’souza – 8.8
Hanisha D’souza – 8.6
Ophelia Lazarus, vice-president, sports and finance committees proposed the vote of thanks.
In between the program, a traditional and sumptuous Mangalorean food with Pork Bafat, Chicken Sukka was prepared and served by Alwyn Saldanha of Al Arsalan Restaurant fame.
Housie Housie was conducted by John Gonsalves and John Mathias
The sponsors of the event and the year were:
Mega sponsor : Khafeef - Classic Mayonnaise
Main sponsors : Omantel And Technofit Trading Llc – Ligoury D’Mello
Co-sponsors : Muscat Pharmacy & Stores Llc And Sky United Logistics – Dilip Correa & Fly
Event sponsors : Multitech Contracting Llc, W J Towell Building Material And Khimji Furniture Mart.
Supporters: Zahart Al Rawda Trading - Mr. Rapheal Quadros, Denis D Souza, Enhance, Arabian Food Distribution Co LLLC, Simon D’Souza, Dolphy Vaz, Michael D Souza, National Mineral Water & Co, Al Wattar LLC and Ravin Dsouza
Every member of the Mangalorean community attended the function enjoyed a superb day of entertainment and enjoyment. Truly the new committee and its leader deserve a grand applause for their tremendous hard work and dedication. The Mangalorean community in Muscat can expect many more fascinating functions from this new team of MCCP.