Doha: MCA Maiden Event ‘Wilfy Nite’ – A Super Show
Report by Freeda Lobo
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“Success is that old ABC -- ability, breaks, and courage.”
Ability, Breaks & Courage is what was galore on 30th May, 2008 at the Gulf Cinema as MCA’s maiden venture, the 245th Wilfy Nite was everything it promised to be and a lot more.
Doha, Jun 1: The Gulf Cinema, Doha was filled with Konkani music lovers who were eager and enthusiastic from the word go! The program started at 5:45pm with the MCA anthem which reinforced the aims, objectives and goals of the club and set the tone for the evening. MCA Public Relations Officer, Cyril Sequeira welcomed the audience handed over the proceedings to the Master of Ceremonies for the evening Leslie Rego who conducted the evening in his usual dynamic manner. He not only handled the event proceedings but also had the audience in splits with his humour.
‘Mogh kara Konkani so’ was the apt song to start the evening with, which motivated the audience to love their mother tongue and be proud of it.
Thereafter the show proceeded and the evening was a filled with soul-stirring songs by Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus, Konkan Myna Meena Rebimbus, Veena Rebimbus Pais, Vishwas Rebimbus , Ivan Sequeira, Rathan Castelino Babitha Pinto and Charleen Rebimbus; melodious music by Pappan, Joswin, Azeez ,Chandran and Kader ; rib-tickling comedy by Felix Saldanah, Raymond Lobo, Jessy Saldanah & Leslie Rego ; enthralling and scintillating dances by famous dance troupe from Mangalore comprising of Cornel, Vinay, Mellissa and Freeda.
‘Kalzachya Darar’, ‘Marina’, ‘Majha Maar’, ‘Mujhe Kaleez’, ‘Gulobachya Phantyak’, ‘Chilipili Suknano’, ‘Mog Thuzo’, ‘Sasa sa sa re’, ‘Raat Zalya Jivanath’,‘Mogh Na’ were some of the popular songs sung. The highlights of the evening were, ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Kaani Ek Avoi Chi’ & ‘Ghati Devon’.
The most memorable part of the evening was the felicitation of Konkan Kogul Wifly Rebimbus for his dedication to Konkani Music by MCA on behalf of the entire Konkani communityin Doha. The honouring was done by the Guest of Honour for the evening, Fr.Thomasito Veneracio, Parish Priest, Church of Qatar, who in his address appreciated the step taken by MCA in helping the poorest of the poor and wished MCA all the success in the endeavours. The Chief Guest for the evening was the First Secretary of Indian Embassay in Qatar, Harish Arora who released the souvenir and also launched the MCA website. In his address, Arora spoke on promoting peace and culture in the world and congratulated MCA on taking the first positive step in that direction. Welcome speech was given by the President of MCA, Harry Lobo. The MCA advisory committee members and the Troupe members were honoured. Results of the quiz contest based on Wilfy Nite and Music Cassettes conducted earlier were announced.
There were a total of 172 entries and 4 winners were awarded. The winners were Sandra Pais, Jane Pinto, Theresa D’Souza and the vote of thanks was delivered by the Vice President of MCA, Wilson Mendonca.
The evening was a hit not only because of the efforts put in by the management but because of the 750 odd crowd who cheered, hooted and enjoyed till the end of the show. This event will be a landmark in the history of MCA as its maiden venture. As mentioned, all Proceeds raised from this event will help MCA to fulfil their main objective which is to provide education to the poorest of the poor and orphan children in Mangalore and also to help the people in need in Qatar.
As said by Mother Theresa, Patron of MCA, “It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.”