Pics: Joachim Dsouza
Media Release
Oman, Dec 3: The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi), organized a grand celebration of ‘Nathalanso Dhabazo’, on Friday, November 30, held at Ruwi parish main hall with a large gathering to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. The cultural event engaged all the community members in a highly active and joyous way throughout the evening.
The grand programme began by briefly introducing the chief guests of the day and inviting them to the stage. Vijai Dcunha, head of Finance and Planning at Marmul Hospitality Group and Sr Juliana Dsouza, Superior of Sisters of Our Lady of Missions- Ferar, were then escorted to the stage by the president, Jessie Pereira and vice-president Terence Dsouza, respectively and were greeted with flower bouquets by the president. The chief guests and Jessie Pereira then inaugurated the event by traditionally lighting diyas.
After this, Reshma Dcosta read the Word of God and a prayer and a beautiful Christmas message was delivered by Sr Juliana Dsouza. A welcome note was then addressed by Jessie Pereira to the gathering and the significance of the celebration was highlighted. The programme was beautifully compered by Preema Dsouza, a young and dynamic community activist from Ghala parish.
A beautiful tableau was presented depicting the birth of Jesus with a blend of skits that displayed emotion and energy in every part which made the audience feel they were there in experiencing the coming of the Christ Child. The first skit of the tableau was directed by Lancy Lobo and presented by Lancy, Walter, Helen, Wilfred, Flavia, Clifford, Sunil, Shavin, Naveen, Cyril, Stany, Eugene, John and Rakesh.
This was followed by another skit choreographed by Peter Fernandes on the message of love and compassion and the narrative was on present times which are not different from the past, where similar difficulties and sufferings were undergone by Joseph and Mary during the birth of Jesus. The skit was well performed by Peter, Flavy, Vinitha, Lawrence, Flavia, Wilson and Reshma which was emotive and the attraction of the event.
A group of children ‘Angels and Shepherds’ then performed a dance welcoming the birth of Jesus, which was choreographed by Pramila Pais and presented by Aman, Adele, Risha, Rian, Laurette, Cleon, Rochelle, Derrick, Clarine, Mayola, Aaron, Alria, and Harleen which stole the hearts of the audience.
A beautiful dance to the tune of different music and songs by ‘Konkan Steps and Beats’, choreographed by Calida Machado was performed by Calida, Anisha, Lovette, Reia, and Christina brought enhanced exquisiteness to the event. Another beautiful dance by ‘Sparkling Dance Group’ choreographed by Priyanka Mendonca presented by Tanya, Delishya, Siona, Leanne, Cherryl and Jaden gained a lot of appreciation from the audience.
The members of Ruwi parish Konkani Coir, Reshma, Flavia, Anitha, Leera, Larissa, Dilip, Vivian and Stany sang melodious Christmas carols under the leadership of Apolinaris D'Souza. The members of Ghala parish Konkani choir team 'Christmas Stars' comprising of Veena, Renita, Vinutha, Zeeliya, Veena, Suman, Prem, Errol, Naveen and Noel performed enthralling and harmonious singing and were also joined by the little ones, Aiden, Nathan, Evan, Ashton, Alton, Luke, Johan, Denzil, and Francesca. Hendrita was on Alto, Priyan on Tenor and Savio played the keyboard.
For the first time, all the participants in the carols singing, dance, skit and tableau were felicitated and presented gifts by the MCCP executive committee members.
The audience was kept occupied in various spot games held by Terence Dsouza and Housie Game by Praveen Serra and Sharon Alva. A cake auction was done through bidding to the numbers with a fixed amount, which was conducted by Jessie Pereira, Tracy Menezes and Terence Dsouza and assisted by Praveen Serra, Sharon Alva and Vikas Fernandes. A very special Christmas guest and the children's most favourite of the season 'Santa Claus' entered with his jingling bells and bag full of chocolates that excited the children.
The winners of the previously held outdoor and indoor competitions were handed prizes. The winners in the Photography competition were: Allan (1st), Lael (2nd), Joyal (3rd). Food Art Competition winners were: Ashlita (1st), Sunil and Shanthi (2nd). Cooking without Fire Competition winners in ‘Single’ Category: Ashlita (1st), Reshma (2nd), Dynet (3rd). In ‘Group’ category, the winners were: Mamata and Juliet- 1st, Sunil and team (Shanthi, Andrel, and Naveen)- 2nd, Julian and team (Vincent, Leema and John)– 3rd.
The winners from the popular online Konkani monthly quiz were: Melwin, Jane (September), Reema, Zeeliya (October), Roshwin, Macniel (November). Christmas Kuswar Fiesta and cake making competition was organized by MCCP with many participants taking part in the homemade Kuswar and Cake Competition. The winners in Kuswar competition were: Zeeliya and Melwin (1st), Naveen and Suman (2nd) and Noel and Reema (3rd). The winners in cake making: Melwin (1st), Naveen and Suman (2nd), Noel and Reema (3rd). The winners of star-making competition: Leon (1st), Noel (2nd), Helen and Eugene (3rd).
Loveline Rego kept the music flowing with this unique style of DJ and Joachim Dsouza captured the memories of the event with his camera. The hall was beautifully decorated by Lancy Lobo.
The entire event was very eloquently compered in Konkani dialect by Preema Dsouza. Praveen Serra proposed the vote of thanks. The event was meticulously planned and executed by the entire MCCP executive committee led by Jessie Pereira, Monica Fernandis (vice-president - Sports & Finance), Vinod Terence D’Souza (vice-president – Cultural, Spiritual & CS), Silvia Dias (general secretary), Victoria Trecilla Menezes (honorary treasurer), Sharon Alva (internal auditor), Reshma D Costa (sports secretary), Praveen Donald Serra (cultural secretary), Vikas Marshal Fernandes (spiritual secretary) and Merita Pinto (community services secretary).
Volunteers and event supporters: Sandra Correa, Janet Rodrigues, Anitha Dhanthy, Raphael Dsouza, Sunil Dsouza, Francis Dsouza, MC – Preema Dsouza, DJ – Loveline Rego, Photography: Joachim Dsouza, Registration Counter: Freeda Serra. Website and media support by Vijai Dcunha.
Event sponsors Ronald Castelino (Oasis Water), Avelen Dsouza (gifts), Philomena Mendonca (juices and gifts). Christmas special cake by Reena Mathias.
The sponsors for the year were: Platinum sponsor: Technofit Trading LLC (Liguory and Margaret D’Mello), Muscat Golden Services LLC (Raphael D’Souza), Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives (courtesy Vivian Pereira). Gold sponsors: Marmul Hospitality Group of Travels, Exchange & Hotels (Mabel Pinto - courtesy Vijai D’Cunha), Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co LLC (Denis Mascarenhas) and Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading (Raphael Quadras).
MCCP wishes all its members and their families, friends and everyone across the globe a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2020.