Media Release
Singapore, Nov 10: Faith, family and the joy of shared traditions took centre stage as SingManGo, a united community of Mangalurean and Goan families in Singapore, celebrated its annual Monthi Fest on Saturday, September 26. Honouring the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the celebration brought families and friends together in a heartfelt expression of devotion, gratitude and Konkani heritage.
A morning of prayer, faith and devotion
The celebration began with Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit, celebrated by Fr Venus Colaco, assistant parish priest, Church of Divine Mercy, Pasir Ris, Singapore. The congregation gathered in prayer and thanksgiving, seeking Mother Mary's blessings for their families and the wider community.
In his homily, Fr Venus shared a simple yet profound message: “Love your family.” His words served as a timely reminder that family is a precious gift to be nurtured through love, understanding, gratitude and mutual support. Amid the demands of everyday life, his message encouraged everyone to cherish their loved ones and strengthen the bonds that hold families together.
We are grateful to the lectors Lylesh Menezes, Shanon Castelino; Altar boys, Liam John and Yohan Alvares; Communion ministers Ananth Prabhu and Joseph D’Souza for sharing their time, thoughtful readings and community spirit help make each service meaningful.
The Holy Mass was enriched by the melodious voices of the SingManGo choir, whose harmonious singing added depth and solemnity to the liturgy. The choir comprised Ameeta Sequeira (conductor), Andrina Pais, Angelo Noronha, Ashwin Pinto, Errol Tauro, Eugenie Monteiro, Juanita Fernandes, Mabel Prabhu, Manish Pinto, Renita Rodrigues, Reuben Alvares, Roshan D’Silva, Schamane Baretto and Shalini Lobo accompanied by Prashanth D’Souza on the keyboard and Jayesh Fernandes on the guitar.
Preserving an age-old tradition, Novem (new paddy), arranged by (Benita Fernandez, Mabel Prabhu, Marvin Pinto and Rudolf Saldanha), was blessed by Fr Venus and distributed to the faithful after Mass.
Flowers offered with love to Mother Mary
Following the Holy Mass, families joined a procession to the grotto of Mother Mary for the traditional flower showering ceremony, one of the most cherished moments of Monthi Fest. With flowers in their hands and devotion in their hearts, children and adults came together to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering expressions of love, gratitude and faith.
For the SingManGo community, the ceremony was also an opportunity to pass on a treasured tradition to younger generations, ensuring that the faith and customs of their heritage continue to flourish even far from their ancestral homes.
Kutmache Jevan: Fellowship around the table
With the morning's religious celebrations concluded, the SingManGo organising team arranged bus transportation to Khansama Restaurant at Pasir Panjang, where families and friends gathered for the traditional Kutmache Jevan — the family meal.
The arrival at the venue ushered in another lively chapter of the celebration, as guests were greeted with refreshing welcome drinks, warm smiles and cheerful conversations, rekindling friendships and setting the tone for an enjoyable afternoon.
A sumptuous buffet brought everyone together around the table, offering a chance to enjoy delicious food, exchange stories and strengthen friendships. The shared meal embodied the spirit of kutam, reminding everyone that the simplest moments of fellowship often become the most treasured memories.
The fun continued with games that brought out the participants' playful side. Laughter, cheers and friendly competition filled the venue as families and friends joined in, adding another layer of enjoyment to the day's festivities.
A colourful showcase of Konkani talent
After a delightful lunch, the spotlight turned to one of the most eagerly awaited highlights of the day — the cultural programme. Members of the SingManGo community, from children to adults, took to the stage to share their talents.
The afternoon's programme was hosted by Josna Pereira, whose enthusiasm, new ideas and engaging presence kept the proceedings flowing smoothly and the audience excited and entertained throughout.
Music provided another memorable highlight. Rachel and Roger delivered a duet performance featuring the nostalgic Konkani melody 'Chandrem udevn aylo, prathver prakash fanklo…', accompanied by Roger on the keyboard. The familiar tune evoked fond memories and celebrated the enduring charm of Konkani music.
The Konkani comedy skits 'Dukor' and 'Special Class' entertained the audience with their lively performances and humour by Angelo Noronha, Joyson Charles D’Sa Prashanth D’Souza, Kevin Machado, Manish Pinto and Merlie Pais adding a distinctly Konkani flavour to the afternoon.
Dance performances brought further energy to the stage. Misha Fernandes captivated the audience with a solo dance to the tunes of 'Cham Cham', while the ladies' and men's group dances showcased rhythm, coordination and team spirit. The children's dance was another delightful highlight, winning hearts with the young performers' enthusiasm and confidence. The group dances were led and choreographed by Shalini Lobo, reflected the dedication, creativity and teamwork that went into preparation for the occasion and making this a grand success.
Dance performers included from kids: Lisa Fernandes, Eva D’Souza, Misha Fernandes, Yvonne John, Lincoln Fernandes, Dane Serrao and Jordan Machado.
Men: Harman John, Jayesh Fernandes, Joel Fernandes, Joy Kevin Machado and Manish Pinto.
Women: Andrina Pais, Divya Gomes, Deepti Serrao, Joicy Swant, Merlie Priya Pais, Priya D’Souza, Shalini Lobo and Sheetal.
Each performance added colour and charm to the afternoon, celebrating Konkani heritage, community bonding and bringing generations together through music, dance and humor.
No Mangalurean celebration without baila!
And of course, no Mangalurean celebration would be complete without baila! As the familiar rhythms filled the venue, the dance floor came alive, with SingManGo members enthusiastically dancing to their favourite numbers. Laughter, lively steps and infectious energy brought the day's festivities to a memorable finale.
A community united by dedication and generosity
The success of Monthi Fest 2026 was a testament to the commitment and collaborative spirit of the SingManGo Organising Team, spearheaded by Merlie Priya Pais, Noel Saldanha and Pratibha Saldanha, alongside committee members Divya Gomes, Joy Kevin Machado, Mary Lopis, Nasvill Pereira, Priya D’Souza and Tina Alvares. Their collective efforts, from meticulous planning to event-day coordination, brought the celebration to life, embodying the essence of kutam — uniting as one family with a shared purpose.
Merlie and Noel extended heartfelt thanks to all the choir members, performers, rehearsal coordinators, volunteers, photographers, videographers and other supporters whose dedication and teamwork helped make the celebration memorable.
Photographers, Luke Gomes, Loyal Menezes, Karen Saldanha and Shalini Lobo, were thanked for capturing the special moments and helping preserve the memories of the church community.
DJ Aaron Soares was also thanked for keeping the celebration lively and filling the day with wonderful music.
Special appreciation was also extended to Deepti and Ashok Serrao, Andrina Pais and Harman John, Benita and Rohan Fernandez, Priya D’Souza and Rohit Khurana, and Joicy and Vinayak Swant for generously opening their condominium halls for rehearsals. The organisers also thanked the sponsors for their generous support, including the prizes that added excitement to the games and activities.
The enthusiastic participation of SingManGo families and friends made the celebration all the more meaningful, filling the day with warmth, laughter and a deep sense of belonging.
As Monthi Fest 2026 drew to a close, it reaffirmed the enduring bonds of faith, family and Konkani heritage that unite Mangalurean and Goan families in Singapore. May this cherished tradition continue to bring generations together, strengthening the SingManGo kutam in love, faith and togetherness for years to come.