Report: Lavina D'Sa
Pics: Joachim D’Souza
Muscat, Dec 8: As the month of December commences, festivities of Christmas abound around the world. Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP), Muscat, celebrated Christmas Fiesta programme for the members of the community on December 4 at Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.
The programme commenced at 5.30 pm with a tableau depicting the birth of Jesus presented by the members of the Muscat United Pangalites, consisting of Tania Saldanha, Cheryl D'Sa, Laura D'Sa, Calida Machado, Prakash D'Sa, Priyanka Rodrigues, Teril Saldanha, Darren Fernades, Ashish Martis, Jovin Menezes, Remy Lobo, Steevan Quadras, Calvin Machado and Franky Mendonsa. It was directed and scripted by Melwin Menezes and Violet D'Costa and supported by Shyla Machado, Vinod D'Costa, Alan Rodrigues and Renita Quadros.
Ajith Walder, a young and energetic member of MCCP was the compere of the event and he conducted the whole programme with great eloquence. Dilip Correa, the president of MCCP for the silver jubilee year welcomed the audience and Fr Marian Miranda, spiritual director commenced the festivities with a prayer and a Christmas message. The highlight of the event was a Christmas carols group singing competition in which 8 teams participated. The participants were
1) Ghlachin Neketran: Lancy Barboza, Gracy Barboza, Lizy Barboza, Gloria Baroboza, Edward Mendonca, Naveen Mathias, Peter Prakash Fernades, Praveen Monterio, Noel Machado, Meera Saldanha and Murel D'Souza.
2) Anita Danti and group: Cyril Danthi, Anita Danthi, Clive Austin Danthi, Christine Angeline Danthi, Lester D'Souza, Sandesh D'Souza.
3) Canan D'Souza and group: Joel Mendonca, Canan D'Souza, Princy D'Souza, Joyal D'Souza, Cavin D'Souza, Leanne D'Souza, Ruby Rodrigues, Rion D'Souza, Triven Goveas, Ashwini Martin, Rebecca D'Souza, Nathan Martin.
4) Electus: Anisha D'Costa, Grace Menezes, Glen Menezes, Lanette Reol Rego, Laurette Riselle Rego, Lovette Rachel Rego, Reia Correa, Renessa Walder, Rochelle Correa, Shawn Philip Fernades, Dynet Fernandes, Jayal Tharakan.
5) Jane Ida Pinto and group: Jane Ida Pinto, Amanda Clerida Pinto, Prakash Alwyn D'Souza, Ashok Pais, Reon D'Souza, Sandesh D'Souza, Pramila Pais, Pritham D'Souza and Sania D'Souza.
6) Angelic Choir: Gail Naiara Castelino, Neil Antony Castelino, Flavia Castelino, Wilfred Castelino, Ajith Walder, Shelton Sequeira, Shalet Sequeira, Cyril Sequeira, Daria Lewis, Shawn Lewis, Diana Lewis, Sunil Lewis.
7) Stany Menezes and group: Stany Menezes, Priya Menezes, Pearl Menezes, Shawn Menezes, Maria Lobo, Alban Menezes, Laveena Menezes, Allen Menezes, Alvia Menezes, Rishitha Picardo, Silvita Sequeira, Venessa Rego.
8) Gloria: Renita Quadras, Linda D'Souza, Glany Martis, Liza D'Sa, Melvin Menezes, Jovin Menezes, Teril Saldanha, Daran Fernades, Alan Rodrigues, Voilet D'Costa, Calida Machado, Shane Menezes.
Lavina D'Sa introduced the judges of the competition and presented the rules.
The judges for the competition were
Robert D'Souza: Brand ambassador of Yamaha Guitars and Amplifiers in Oman. He has done his studies in music at Los Angeles College of Music and he has studied under Frank Gambale, Ross Bolton and Dave Hills. His extensive professional background includes performing on guitar, composing, arranging, and recording music in many genres.
Rony Matthew: A vocalist, guitarist and bassist of famous bands like Blue Orchid, Seventh Galaxy and Cosmic Rays. He has been into music for the past 25 years, and is currently a guitar, bass and western vocal trainer at Harmony Music Center in Ruwi, Oman.
Jean Etoquia Fernandes: A member of the Ruwi church parish council and very dear to all the children as a catechism teacher. She has been a part of the lector’s ministry and also choir in the Ruwi Church.
All the participants tried their best to bring out the colours and mood of Christmas while presenting the Christmas carols.
A star making competition was also organized, wherein the members presented their homemade stars.
The participants of the star making competition were Stany Menezes, Aslita D'Souza, Rebecca D'Souza, Thomas D'Souza, Helen Sequeira , Flavia Fernandes, Ashish Martis, Dynte Fernandes , Nancy Vaz and Rebecca D'Souza, c/o Russel D'Souza.
All the participants were presented with a certificate by the executive committee of MCCP for the current year consisting of Dilip Correa, Jessie Periera, Lavina D'Sa, Trecilla Menezes, Melita Alva, Jason Cardoza, Sachin Lobo, Naveen Mascharenhas, Lynel Lobo and Ashok Pinto.
A Christmas cake specially prepared for the day was generously donated by Reena Mathias. Lavina D'Sa conducted an auction for this cake. Jason Cardoza presented the vote of thanks and Dilip Correa presented the sponsors and supporters with a bouquet.
The winners of the Christmas carols singing competition were:
First place: Canan D'Souza and group
Second place: Jane Ida Pinto and group
Third place: Ghalachin Neketran
The winners of the star competition were:
First place: Helen Sequeira
Second place: Nancy Vaz
Third place: Stany Menezes
The coming of the Santa Claus spread joy and happiness among the children. All the children were provided with a treat pack. The dance session conducted by DJ Shailesh was another highlight of the programme.
MCCP's main sponsors for the year 2016-2017: Omantel (courtesy: Eula Pinto), Muscat Golden Services (Raphael D'souza), Technofit Trading LLC (Ligoury D'Mello), Zahrat Al-Rawdha Trading (Raphael Quadros), Prestige Projects and Engineering Services (Denis Mascarenhas).
Event sponsors: Al Hazm Transportation Company LLC, Glen Monis, Bank Muscat SAOG – GV Ramakrishna (courtesy: Stanley Fernandes and Monica Dantis), Bahanis Trading CO LLC, TK Aravind (courtesy: Ophelia Lazarus), Wilber D'souza, Zeena Noronha, Sunil Furtado and family Reena Mathias for sponsoring cake, Oman Food Stuff Factory LLC - Al Mudhish (courtesy: Brinston Noronha), Sweets of Oman, courtesy: George Andrade (courtesy: Naveen Mascarenhas)
W.J.Towell and CO LLC (Consumer Products Division) Yadir Khan, courtesy: Jessie Pereira)
IFFCO – Yaseen Parkar (courtesy Vivian Pereira), Nestle Oman – Suaad Thani (courtesy Jessie Pereira), Lacnor – Halim Iqbal (courtesy: Jessie Pereira), Muscat Pharmacy and Stores LLC (courtesy: Wilfred Castelino)
MCCP also acknowledged Monica Fernandes for the power point presentation, DJ Shailesh Sequeira, Joachim D'Souza for the media coverage, Muscat United Pangalites for the tableau, Reena Mathias for the Christmas cake, Shaila D'Souza and Merita Pinto for handling the membership registration desk and Lancy Lobo for the hall decorations, Sharon Alva, Hanson D’Souza and Vivian Periera for all the support to Team 25.