Report: Amanda Pinto
Pics: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Dec 4: An electrifying and complete fun filled evening with lot of games, multiple of entertainment items and many Christmas surprises was organized by the Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi) for its members on Friday, 2nd December 2011 at Al Maasa Hall – Ruwi.
From start to the end of the programme titled “Natalancho Sobhram”, majority of the members of the community attended the function were fully involved in the programme participating in all the fun filled activities, games and dances presented during the four hours mega entertainment show. It was one more major achievement of the Executive Committee of the year 2011 – 2012 under the able leadership of Stanley T H Fernandes.
Al - Maasa hall was beautifully decorated with Christmas theme and multiple colors by Ivan Moras and Prescilla Menezes and their team. The whole atmosphere in the hall was very dynamic and energetic. The members arrived for the function with Red and Black attires were greeted at the main entrance of the hall by Lawrence Alva – Vice President : Finance and Sports Committee and Benedict Pereira - Honorary Treasurer.
The programme commenced at 6.30 pm with a welcome note by Annabel Saldhana – a young and gifted anchor of the community. She was supported by Clarence Pinto. Annabel, though born and brought up in Oman, was able to perform the anchoring role of the programme with a good flair of Konkani language. Here once again, a word of appreciation should go to the Executive Committee of this year and specially to the lady behind all these efforts to bring young talents to the foray, Prescilla Menezes, who is a thorough lover of Konkani Language, Culture and Heritage. A prayer seeking the Heavenly Father’s blessing was offered by Lawrence Alva.
An official welcome address on behalf of the executive committee was presented by Mariete Fernandes - Spiritual Secretary. A session of beautiful and enchanting Christmas carols was then presented by the well known singers of the community choir. The leader of the choir was the renowned composer of the Konkani Music Apolinaris D Souza and the singers were Victoria Soares, Ivan Moras, Dolphy Vaz, Monica Dantis, Anitha Lobo, Nirmala Goveas, Alston Moras, Morvin Quadros, Yamita Sequeira, Flavia Castelino. The music support was given by Sneha Sequeira, Alister Aranha, Ashwitha Aranha, Dale Dantis, and Vanessa Rego. Along with the carol singing the community members also presented with a tableau representing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
An entertaining instrumental session comprising the upcoming musicians of the community – Donald Pinto on Saxophone, Alister Aranha on Violin and Savio on Organ was then presented which was well appreciated by the audience.
Santa’s entry gave a thrill to the audience and children alike. Children thoroughly enjoyed Santa’s presence and received goodies. A Cake Cutting ceremony was preformed by the Executive Committee members and the Core Team Members, Henry Martis, Donald Pinto, Suraj Rebello and Clarence Pinto. Kuswar has a special place in the Christmas celebrations in the coastal Karnataka region and a Kuswar presentation ceremony was held representing the various parishes of the Mangalore Diocese.
The Executive committee had announced a competition for Kuswar and Cake Preparation. The members were asked to prepare the various Kuswar delicacies and present for evaluation. The judges of the Kuswar Competition were Cherlyn D Souza and Winnifred Fernandes. The winners of the various categories were – Cake : Reena Mathias, Chaklies : Shaila D Souza, Kokisam : Aslita D Souza and Nevros : Lydia Sanctis.
The Christmas Carnival of the Konkan Region – Natalancho Khel was then presented by the community members under the leadership of Lancy Lobo, Walter Mendonca and Walter Pinto.
The king of the games and entertainment Suraj Rebello took charge of the games and dance session with lot of games and non-stop dance. Darryl Saldhana a brilliant performer as programme anchor was with Suraj to formulate and present various games and dances. There were many prizes given to the participants for the various games. A special prize was awarded to Leon and Celestine Pinto as the super dancing couple of the evening.
Fr Albert D Silva – Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church - Ghala and Spiritual Advisor of the Konkani Community in Oman was present in the second part of the programme. In his speech, he expressed his joy of being with the community members and requested the participants to understand a real meaning of Christmas.
Benedict Pereira – Honorary Treasurer proposed vote of thanks .
Every family received a gift hamper and all children received gifts from Santa. A sumptuous dinner was served which was prepared by Diamond Crown Restaurant under the management of Alex Aranha.
It was a perfect start to a glorious Christmas season and all the members attended the function will have sweet memories of this joyful function for many days to come. The Executive Committee team under the able and charismatic leadership of Stanley T. H. Fernandes was brilliant in their preparation and presentation of the programme. The president was supported by Eulalia Pinto, Lawrence Alva, Prescilla Menezes, Benedict Pereira, Wilson Mark D Souza, Ambrose Ivan Moras, Prem Colaco, Mariete P. N. Fernandes and Ophilia Lazarus, the members of the Executive Committee.
The Sponsor the evening was Oman International Bank SAOG. The other sponsors were Arabian Supplies, W. J. Towell Consumer Division, Al Maya International LLC, Oman Foodstuff Factory – Al Mudish, Sweets of Oman, Capital Stores, Sea Pearl and Melwin Twinkle Pereira.
The MEGA SPONSORS of MCCP’s annual programmes are Ronald Colaco and family – Dubai and Bank Muscat SAOG. The main sponsors are Leo Quadros – Addhia Trading and Contracting Co. LLC - Oman and Canterbury Castles – Bangalore, Omantel SAOG, Raphael D Souza – Muscat Golden Services LLC, Ligory D Mello and Family – Technofit LLC, Muscat Pharmacy and Stores LLC, Clifford Sanctis and Fly – Hydrotec International Co. LLC. The co-sponsors are National Bank of Oman, Denis Mascarenhas and fly – Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co. LLC, Michael Pinto – Ideal Tailors LLC, James Mendonca and Fly – Dubai, Leo Rodrigues and Fly – Abu Dhabi, Daniel Fernandes and Fly, Huawei Technologies and Al Hajery Trading LLC.