News: Stany Jovin Menezes
Muscat, May 18: With hearts filled with joy and enthusiasm spirits lifted, the Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community (GMCC) orchestrated the most awaited programme of the year ‘Easter Joy -2024’ at Sur Ballroom, Hotel Muscat Holiday, Sultanate of Oman on May 10. Under the able leadership of Prem Colaco, the executive committee of GMCC organized this event with great enthusiasm, participation and spreading the joy of Easter and strengthening collective community bonds.
Fr George, the parish priest of Holy Spirit Church, Ghala attended the event as the chief guest, along with guest priest Fr Prakash Melvin Colaco from Mangaluru in the absence of our Konkani spiritual director Fr Stephen Lewis. Preema, a respected member of the community, welcomed the gathering and handled the initial proceedings of the event. Fr George praised the Ghala Mangalorean Community for their commendable contributions to the church, especially the Mangalureans who have been instrumental in providing significant support in various ministries in the church.
The event was inaugurated with the symbolic cutting of the designed Easter egg cake by Fr Prakash Colaco. The registration counters distributed specially imported chocolates as part of the Easter theme to spread the sweet joy of Easter.
Fr Prakash Colaco expressed his gratitude for being invited for such a family driven event and shared a message about celebrating the feast of Jesus resurrection, wherein he mentioned, “We are Easter people and Halleluiah is our song. It refers to the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead encouraging everyone to sing the song ‘Hallelujah’."
Fr Prakash along with John Gonsalves & Michael Goveas was then led to the table displaying Easter eggs brought by the participants in Easter egg contest to judge the winners. The winners and participants Divin Noronha, Ashton & Ashley Tauro, Rachel Fernandes, Nathan Machado & Francis D’Souza were felicitated.
As the evening progressed Nirmala Goveas, president of MCCP and a well-known and vibrant speaker in Muscat, took charge as the master of ceremony. She introduced five senior leaders of GMCC, Stany Jovin Fernandes, Michael Goveas, Edward Mendonca, Sunil Furtado and John Gonsalves and they were called on stage and honoured with mementos to the 11-member GMCC executive committee team comprising of Selwin Lewis (techo support & event secretary), Meera Saldanha (choir & spiritual secretary), Loyell Castelino (cultural secretary), Sam Suneel Menezes (sports secretary), Lloyd D’Cunha (community services secretary), Alex Noronha(internal auditor), Stino Pinto(finance secretary),Wilson Kinnigoli (general secretary), Praveen Serra(vice president - cultural & community), Ophelia Lazarus (vice president-finance) and Prem Colaco in recognition for their remarkable work and extemporary contributions to the Konkani community during 2022-2024.
Representing the senior leaders, John Gonsalves spoke passionately about the unity within the Mangalurean community, highlighting the remarkable work and numerous success stories of the Ghala Mangalorean Community. He shared heartfelt stories that highlighted the deep sense of togetherness and shared experiences among its members, particularly emphasizing the celebration of the Monti Feast as a symbol of unity and solidarity. Through his words, he conveyed a message of love and appreciation for the collective efforts that have contributed to the community's growth and prosperity.
In the spirit of Easter's joyous renewal, Prem Colaco, the president of Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community 2022-2024, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his team and audience for their overwhelming support in his speech. Prem has been an integral part of many Konkani associations in Oman before, his service to community and liaison with Ghala Church Parish council has been well appreciated by all. His representation to the community has been immense over the years.
Following the president's address, Nirmala Goveas facilitated the installation of the new executive team. The selected members for the new GMCC committee are:
The new executive committee of GMCC 2024-2026:
Ophelia Lazarus – President
Praveen Serra – Vice president, finance & audit
Sam Suneel Menezes- Vice president, cultural & community
Wilma Priya D’Souza- General secretary
Reevan D’Cunha – Finance secretary
Loyell Castelino – Community services secretary
Loyd D’Cunha – Sports secretary
Steevan Pereira – Internal auditor
Manoj Chetan D’Souza – Cultural secretary
Preema D’Souza – Spiritual & choir secretary
Ashwin D’Cunha – Techno support & event secretary
Vote of thanks were offered to sponsors, benefactors and volunteers by Wilson Kinnigoli – general secretary and work accomplished over 2years by the previous executive committee 2022-2024.
Nirmala Goveas for the second part of the programme, handed over the mike to the next compere of the day, Praveen Serra whose presence in conducting several group games, with his versatility, charming personality and time management skills set the stage for an evening of unity and enjoyment. The festivities started with various activities. Attendees enjoyed traditional games, team-building exercises, and spot prizes. The goal was to promote and reflect the deep-rooted love for tradition and unity within the Mangalurean community togetherness and solidarity among everyone.
Amidst the laughter and cheers, two humorous skits, featuring performers like Peter, Shailesh, Avil, Pranitha and Jason-Rolson fame added an extra flavour of entertainment. The crowd was kept in stitches, thoroughly enjoying the rib-tickling comedy. Amid the excitement, photographer Joachim diligently captured the moments, immortalizing the joy and bond shared among community members.
During the entertainment, there was a surprise guest appearance, GMCC Launched an Omani singer, Maqbool Habib Issa Al Balushi. He sang a popular Konkani song composed by renowned the late Wilfy Rebimbus ‘Mog Tuzo Kitlo Ashelo’ rendering a nostalgic feel with his beautiful voice. This was the first time he performed at any event for any community, GMCC provided the platform. Audience welcomed him with huge enthusiasm and applause, they were spellbound with his performance, talent and voice articulation in Konkani though native language being Arabic.
Thru a message to President, He has commented, “I wish to thank each and every one for liking the song and mentioned Konkani is a beautiful language, he would participate more events for the love of the language and community “
As the evening progressed, 7 member teen-band impressed the gathering with 5-6 Konkani hit songs, followed by Baila by reputed music team of Triven, Sachin, Naveen, Lavisha, Prakash and Kevin elevated the event with an amazing array and choice of baila songs, showcasing the musical talents within the community. DJ Loveline took the center stage, his music selection keeping the atmosphere lively and vibrant. The culmination of the evening came with a delectable buffet dinner featuring traditional bafat, prepared by Gracy & Henry Castelino, and served by the renowned South Express restaurant - proprietor Lancy Lobo, offering a taste of authentic Mangalurean cuisine. This culinary delight provided the perfect finale to an evening filled with laughter, music, baila dance and community spirit, leaving attendees with cherished memories to last a lifetime.
Artists & performers:
1. Prayer dance: Crystal Pereira
2. Dance by Champ Friends - Riyona D’Souza, Alora D’Souza, Alria Castelino
3. Skit and Konkani Rap by Rolson Cardoza and Jason Cardoza (#BROSINTHEMIX) fame
4. Dance by Anisha D’Costa and Adele D’Souza
5. Guest appearance –Maqbool Al Balushi
6. Dance by Rinet Menezes and Jane D’Souza
7. Skit by Peter Fernandes, Shailesh Cutinho, Avil Pinto and Pranita Monteiro
8. Teen Band – Johan Mathias, Evan Matias, Nathan Rick D’Souza, Francesca Colaco,
Luke Colaco, Janice Sequeira, Elroy Concesso.
9. Baila - Lavisha D’Souza, Naveen Mathias, Sachin Lobo, Triven Goveas, Prakash
D’Souza, Kevin D’Souza
Sponsors:
1. Shamin Sequeira - Middle East Industrial Supplies LLC
2. Clifford Sanctis – Hydrotec International LLC
3. Sunil D’Souza - Travel Point
4. Valerian Mathias - Modern Arabian Gulf Projects
5. Dilip Correa - Sky United Logistics
6. Raphael Quadros – Zahrath Al Rawdha Trading
Support sponsors:
1. Audiotech Clifford – Courtesy Manoj D’Souza
2. Flavia D’Souza – MIRIA’S Beauty Saloon
3. Stany Jovin Menezes
4. Akbar Abbas – The View Resort
The group games talent winners and runner-up were called on stage and gifted with a trophy and a bounty of chocolates basket, they ignited the event with their smart thinking and stunning performances.
The exhausted participants were full of cheerful smiles. It was a highly energising and entertaining evening for the entire community, who enjoyed fully and expressed the need for more such events to bring the Konkani Speaking community together. GMCC known for their all-round variety entertainment for all age groups, traditional games, planning, time management skills being the hallmark of the team, thanked all the volunteers and families who helped and stood by them for this event.
The entire crowd wished new president-elect Ophelia Lazarus and 10 member GMCC executive committee 2024-2026 the very best in their future engagements with Holy Spirit Church, Ghala and the respectful Konkani community.