Media Release

New Jersey, Jun 10: It was a beautiful day in New Jersey's Duke Island Park and perfect day for the Mangalorean Catholic Association EC Inc (MCA-EC) to hold its annual summer get together. Ten years ago, the organization was formed at the first summer get-together. This monumental occasion was celebrated with exciting sports and entertaining games for all ages followed by scrumptious Mangalurean food and bumping music.

The attendees had no trouble finding Duke Island Park’s Pavilion Grove. All they had to do was follow the melodies of Konkani, Hindi and English songs played by MCA-EC’s very own DJ Vijai Furtado. As they entered, they were greeted at registration by treasurer Ben Sequeira, Anne Sequeira, Bruno Sequeira and Sonia Sequeira. An authentic Mangalurean breakfast was prepared by Tony Seravo’s Mangalore Kitchen. Everyone savoured upma, poha, vadas and muffins to their heart’s content. It was served with an Assamese masala chai and coffee.

The event started off with in house emcees Shyna Quadras and Anuj D’Souza addressing the crowd. They were assisted through the whole day by Monti D’Cunha and DJ Vijai as they welcomed all the attendees to the park. The spiritual director Fr Ron Machado began the day with a prayer. Christopher Monis, Don Lewis, Anuj D’Souza, Merlin Mendonca, Angela Jozsef and Nancy Castelino were capturing these moments. They documented the choicest events with their photography.

The sports and games soon commenced as the teams took to the field. The sport of cricket was managed by general secretary Eric Correa. Saritha Pinto played the role of referee for the game of throwball. Meanwhile, Melrin Sequeira, Sunil Lobo and Simona Fernandes kept the rest busy with other games such as sack race, langdi and tail tag. The youngest attendees had a chance to take part in lottery led by vice president Lloyd Fernandes.

For a brief moment in the afternoon, the attendees spent a moment in silence, praying for world peace under Pope Francis’s directive. Following the prayer, six attendees started to prepare and unveil their dishes for the annual cooking competition.

The chefs were asked to prepare renditions of dukra maas. The list of entrants for this competition were:

Cooking Competition:

Mark Mendonca: Dukra Maas
Merlin Mendonca: Porky Fry
Nancy Fernandes: Piggy Bites
Sabina Monis: MPB (Moodubelle Pork Bhakri)
Premilla Mendonca: Pork chili (Indian pork with Chinese sauces)
Saritha Pinto: Indhadh

Once the judges had a taste, they scored the six dishes following which everyone took a bite of the delicious pork. In the end, Mark Mendonca was declared winner of the competition for his rendition of dish dukra maas.

After grace was led by Fr Ron, there was a delicious buffet of authentic Mangalurean food to satiate the hunger. People enjoyed delicacies like chicken sukka, vegetable stew, dukra maas and sannas. These were also catered by Tony Seravo’s Mangalore Kitchen. The regional coordinators; Jennifer Fernandes, Ivan D’Souza, Anita Pinto, Mark Mendonca, Simona Fernandes, Fr Ron Machado, Nancy Castelino, Norbert Mendes and Rima D’Souza, worked hard to set up and serve the lunch. For desserts, an 'ice gola station' was open.

Post lunch, the cricket and the throwball teams played their final matches. MCA-EC’s youngest members took part in the first ever 'lagori' (7 tiles) tournament. They ran, jumped and dodged, all to win the cup for their respective teams.

This followed evening tea and snacks which included, murukku, banana chips, orange cream cookies and chocolate cookies donated by Bob and Olivia Vaz of Babco Foods International. There were also delicious watermelons and buttery popcorn for the crowd to enjoy.

Post snacks, the new executive board had a chance to introduce themselves to the members of the organization for the first time.

Executive board:
President- Clayton Monis
Vice president- Lloyd Fernandes
Treasurer- Ben Sequeira
General secretary- Eric Correa
Regional coordinator- Jennifer Fernandes

The board members took the opportunity to felicitate last year’s board members. The advisory council members and gurkars/gurkarns were felicitated for their contributions to the organization and for the example they have set. Ornate trophies, medals and certificates bearing the logo of the organization were awarded to the winners of various events.

Bucket and Balls (3-12)
Winner: Aston Seravo
Runner up: Irel D’souza

Spoon and Marble Race (3-12)
Winner: Aaron D’souza
Runner Up: IshaD’souza

Sack Race (9-15)
Winner: Matthew Pinto,
Runner up: Liston Lobo

Langdi(9-15)
Winners
Emma Colaco
Sherine Lobo
Shane Quadras
Nathan Mendonca
Sanya Aranha
Liston Lobo

Tail Tag (10-22)
Winner: Ben Shu and Brandon Sequeira
Runner up: Simona Fernandes and Melanie Mendonca

Catch the Flag (10-22)
Winners
Simona Fernandes
Brendan Sequeira
Aaron D’souza
Neil D’souza

3 Legged Race (10-22)
Winner: Ben Shu and Brandon Sequeira
Runner up: Simona Fernandes and Melanie Mendonca

Relay (23-50)
Winners
Aravind D’souza
Merlin Mendonca
Sunil Lobo
Florine Lobo
Florine Pinto
Janice Serao

Passing the hoop (45+)
Winner: Don Lewis
Runner Up: Manoj Pinto

Spoon and Marble (45+)
Winner: Mark Mendonca
Runner Up: Bruno Sequeira

Men - Cricket
Winners:
Wilbur Dsouza
Royce Macwan
Fr Ron Machado
Marvine Mendonca
Raulson Sequeira
Ivan D’souza
Christopher Monis
Glen D’sa
James Glazar
Claran Martis
Elroy D’Almeida
Leo Lobo

Women - Throwball
Winners:
Janice Seravo
Monthi D’Cunha
Shyna Quadras
Lavina Aranha
Shanessa Aranha
Clarita Sequeira
Florine Lobo
Florine Pinto
Abigail Colaco

Growing stars - Lagori (7 tiles)
Winners:
Brendan Sequeira
James Glazar
Matthew Pinto
Melody Pinto
Meldon Mendonca
Melanie Mendonca
Neil Correa
Shawn D’mello
Sheryl D’mello

There were many others for president Clayton Monis to thank for at the end of the event, especially all the volunteers. The pictures were a testament to the efforts of all the members and attendees. Additionally, the board members thanked an anonymous sponsor who donated $500 for the event.

Finally, the event drew to a close with a group picture. Steven Aranha made everyone participate in a last game, tug of war. Everyone had a great time, pulling their side of the rope with all their might and then reminiscing on the fun.