Muscat : Monica Dantis is First Woman President of MCCP
by Clarence Pinto
Pics by Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, May 29: Monica Dantis, the current Vice President of MCCP and multi-talented Mangalorean lady, became the first lady president of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP - Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) for the year 2010 – 2011 during MCCP 18th Annual Day function held on Friday, 21st May 2010 at the Main Parish Hall of Sts. Peter and Paul Church - Ruwi.
Monica Dantis is the fourth child of Late Benjamin D Souza and Mrs. Cocess D Souza, wife of Valerian Dantis, mother of Meval and Dale is hailing from Kinnigoly Parish of Mangalore Diocese and currently residing at Vellankani Church, Yelahanka – Bangalore. She had served as the General Secretary of MCCP during Henry Martis’ tenure as the President and also, the Vice President – Cultural, Spiritual and Community Services Committees in 2009 – 2010. As many prominent community members say, Monica Dantis has opened a brand new chapter in the history of MCCP to become the first lady president.
Speaking daijiworld.com – Muscat team Monica expressed her joyful feelings in these words, “ I am really happy to take up this prestigious and responsible position as the very first lady President of our beloved organization, MCCP. MCCP is a strong organization nurtured by many leaders of the community for the last 18 years has offered a platform to bring out the best talents among Mangaloreans in Muscat. It is an organization under the patronage of Ruwi Parish, completely dedicated to the Konkani speaking Mangaloreans of Sts. Peter and Paul Church. To become the first lady president of such a huge and enormous organization is certainly an honor, but, along with it comes the responsibility to emulate the history of past 18 years.” Highlighting her team’s plans for the coming year, she mentioned “For the coming year, we have lined up many exciting events that will be entertaining our members and at the same time bring back the true essence of our motherland. We want to have a real enthralling year for our members. Right now, I request a wholehearted support and cooperation from every member of our community to make this year a memorable one for every one.”
The annual day program commenced at 10.30 a.m. with a “Thanks giving Holy Mass” in Konkani offered by Fr. Albert D’ Silva, Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church – Ghala and one of the Spiritual Advisors of MCCP. The Konkani Choir under the leadership of Apolinaris D Souza presented many spirit filled hymns. Suraj Rebello, Mariette Fernandes, Savitha Rebello, Vivian Fernandes, John Mathias and Ajith Walder presented the holy readings during the high mass.
After the Holy Mass in Konkani, snacks and soft drinks were served. The cultural program commenced at 12.00 noon, with the classical MCCP Anthem “Parameshwara” composed by Muscat’s Crown Price of the Konkani Music and veteran composer Oswald D’ Souza and presented by the youth of the community; they were Meval Dantis, Lanisha Sequeira, Kimberly Dias, Cheryl Fernandes, Larissa Rego, Praful Serrao, Shonnery Mascarenhas and Crystal Mascarenhas. Meval Dantis provided the music for the same.
Prayer Song “Swagath Tuka Povithr Othmea” (Welcome Holy Spirit) in the form of Tableau was presented by Lancy Lobo and team highlighting the descent of the Holy Spirit on Mother Mary and Apostles. Lavina D Sa, Cultural Secretary and Reena Mathias, Community Services Secretary were the anchors of the show and they welcomed the gathering. Fr. Albert D Silva the new parish priest of Holy Spirit Church - Ghala was honored and presented with a floral bouquet. Mega sponsors of the event were honored by the current vice presidents of MCCP, Monica Dantis (Cultural, Spiritual and Community services) and Prescilla Machado ( Sports and Finance).
In his presidential address, Suraj Rebello expressed his joy of accomplishing a great achievement in the past year and said “We kicked off the year with the theme ‘Sthree garso divo, saunsaraso uzwad…’( Woman : Light of home, Radiance of world) and I must admit that this was auspicious for us as it celebrated and glorified the role of women at home and in our society. With seven gifted women in our executive team we were able to embody the very spirit of women-hood and celebrate it at almost every event that we organized.”
The out going Executive committee were honored by Fr. Albert D Silva
For the first time in the history of MCCP, a Souvenir was released by Fr. Albert D Silva which was meticulously formulated by multi-talented lady of the community, Reena Mathias. MCCP Souvenir 2009 – 2010 contains the memories of the past year’s events and also messages from Spiritual Advisors, past presidents and core team members
General Secretary of MCCP Jessie Pereira presented the annual report of the year 2009 – 2010.
Three young achievers of the community were felicitated with mementos. They were : Adrian Gerald Saldanha, son of Alwyn Oswald and Ginny Saldanha (Valencia, Mangalore and now in Muscat) passed in Bachelor of Technology (Civil Engineering ) from National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK – Suratkal - Mangalore) and won Gold Medal in Bachelor of Technology (Civil Engineering), U. S. Mallya memorial prize for the best student of the Final Year B. Tech (Civil Engineering), Prof M. N. Shivshankar Gold Medal for 1st Rank holder in B. Tech. (Civil Engineering), Dr. R. K. Yaji Gold Medal for the Best Out-going student in B. Tech. (Civil Engineering) Second one, Lin Pinto daughter of Lancy Antony Pinto and Jacintha Pinto secured first rank in Management Aptitude Test (MAT), the entrance exam for MBA, in the whole of Karnataka with a 96 percentile. Third youngster was Alistair Christopher Pinto son Clarence and Jane Ida Pinto, represented St. Joseph’s Engineering College Table Tennis Team in three years and helped his team to win the first place in Bangalore University.
The family of the Year award was given to Wilfred Flavia Castelino & Family for their continuous and active participation in all MCCP events during the past years.
The Gulf Voice of Mangalore semi-finalists Ambrose Ivan Moras, Dilip Correa, Peter Issac D Souza, Joachim Stephen D Souza, Vincent D Souza, Vivian Sandeep Fernandes, Anita Lobo, Jane Ida Pinto, Victoria Soares and Virginia Glannie D Almeida presented scintillating songs in the entertaining program. Konkan Kalakars of Muscat Deepak – Bendur, Alwyn – Kokkada, Walter – Puttur, Helen – Madanthyar, Lancy – Kelarai, Peter – Gantalkatte and Sunil- Katipalla presented hilarious comedy skits – “Kagath” (Letter) and Varshikotav (Annual Day)
The youth of the community, Melanie Crasta, Jayal Tharakan, Joshna Tharakan, Dean D Souza, Clarence Lobo, Brian Monis, Caroline D Souza, Saurav Rebello, Roshini D Souza, Alistair Pinto, presented a fusion dance which was choreographed by Kevin and Mark Redwood. Bhangara Shingara dance item was presented by Alston Moras, Megan D Souza, Sneha Sequeira, Relista Correa, Adriana Noronha, Andrea Noronha, Dale Dantis and Melita Rodrigues. This dance was choreographed by Brian Monis. Victoria Pais choreographed a dance for the song “Indian Idol” sung by Vincent D Souza and presented by Adriana Noronha, Vitalis Pais and Vivian Monis. While Ivan Moras a sang titled - “Susanna”, Megan D Souza, Shaina Rebello and Alston Moras danced beautifully to that tune.
The Core Team members, Henry Martis, Stanley T H Fernandes, Donald Pinto and Clarence Pinto, were felicitated by Suraj Rebello with floral bouquets. Guest Priest Fr. Scaria and Asst. Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Fr. Sabestian, were also greeted with Floral Bouquets. Sts. Peter and Paul Pastoral Council President – Glen Gonsalves and Mangalorean Community's Parish Council Member – Nelson D' Silva, were also greeted with Floral Bouquets. Suzy Fontes was also honoured for her constant to the web portal www.mccpoman.com
After the sumptuous lunch prepared and served by Divine Restaurant, the entertainment program continued. The new Executive committee was formed under the guidance of Donald Pinto as the returning office, Stanley T H Fernandes and Henry Martis, the Core Team members. The new Executive Committee members were as follows :
Monica Dantis President
Cyprian Misquith Vice President for Sports and Finance Committees
Lancy Thomas Lobo Vice President for Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services Committees
Nancy Vaz General Secretary
Simon D’Souza Honorary Treasurer
Jacintha Serrao Internal Auditor
Alexander Sequeira Sports Secretary
Deepak Ranjan D’Souza Cultural Secretary
Reena Lobo Spiritual Secretary
Celine D’Souza Community Services Secretary
Outgoing President in his final speech assured complete support to the new president and the new team. The new president, Monica Dantis expressed her feelings of excitement and challenges in performing the duties as the president of the community. She also thanked Henry Martis and Suraj Rebello for being her mentors and guides and inspiring her to take up this honorable post. She also mentioned that next year’s theme will be based on “father” and MCCP will strive to present the programs dedicating all fathers around the world.
A special team to manage MCCP website was announced and the members of the team were
Editor in Chief : Suraj Rebello
Editorial Team : Reena Mathias and Suzy Fontes
Representative from Ruwi Parish : Helen Lobo
Representative from Ghala : Lavina D Sa
Photographers : Dilip Correa and Joachim D Souza
Finally MCCP out-going Executive Committee presented a fusion dance, choreographed by Sonia D Souza to give a perfect finale to the program.
Mega Sponsors of the year were Oman Telecommunications Company SAOG (Omantel), Jerald Mascarenhas of Hamdan Trading LLC and Clifford Sanctis of Hydrotec International LLC.
Main Sponsors of the year were Muscat Pharmacy , Suleyam Al Kiyumi Trading LLC, Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives SAOG, Ligory D Mello – Technofit Trading LLC, Raphael D Souza – Muscat Golden Services LLC, Raphael Quadros – Zahrat Al Rawdha LLC, Vincent Machado, Jerald Mascarenhas – Hamdan Trading LLC and Leo Quadros – Addhia Trading and Contracting LLC.