Pics: Joachim D’souza
Oman, May 22: Easter Joy event was celebrated at Sohar Ballroom, Safeer Plaza, Sultanate of Oman on Friday, May 12. This was hosted and conducted by Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community (GMCC) to enrich the community spirit and celebrate Easter fervour.
Fr Stephen Lewis our Konkani spiritual director and parish priest of Ruwi was the chief guest. Lavina D’Sa an eminent member of community and master of ceremony of the evening provided a clear and crisp introduction to the 11 member GMCC team comprising of president, vice president’s and executive committee members to the wide audience and a formal start of the grand programme with a video presentation.
Program commenced on schedule, thanks to a great cooperation by community members and their respective families joining this amazing event.
The programme commenced with a beautiful prayer hymn.
'Gaitha Kaleez Mujhe' by Alex Noronha, Stino Pinto, Juliet Wilma Castelino, Freeda Serra and Sonal Pinto.
Prem Colaco, a dynamic and vibrant leader, president of Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community in his welcome speech, greeted the audience for the overwhelming support, senior leaders of the community were also present and thanked both the priests of Ghala & Ruwi parishes for their services. Easter commemorates resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, To celebrate the festivity, Easter Joy event was organized as a great platform to showcase new Talents, traditional games from our homeland, team building games, entertainment -dance & singing, easter egg contest, music – live & DJ and traditional food where all young, old and participants enjoy.
The event was inaugurated with the symbolic way of Unveiling and breaking of traditional Easter egg by Fr Stephen, in the presence of president and entire executive members of GMCC team.
Fr Stephen Lewis our spiritual director completes 20 years of his priestly ordination; it was a great day to celebrate his religious journey in Oman in the presence of his community with cutting of a cake. Fr Stephen gave a small resounding speech and how blessed he was serving the communities and various parishes, his postings at different indian cities and overseas over the last 20 years gave was a very enriching. He wished the entire GMCC team and Easter Joy event a great success.
The following executive committee represent GMCC 2022-2024:
Prem Colaco – President
Ophelia Lazarus – Vice President – Finance
Praveen Serra (Niddodi) – Vice President – Cultural
Wilson Fernandes (Kinnigoli) – General Secretary
Stino Pinto – Finance Secretary
Loy Castelino – Cultural Secretary
Alex Noronha – Internal Auditor
Suneel Menezes – Sports Secretary
Lloyd D’Cunha – Community Services Secretary
Meera Saldanha – Spiritual & Choir Secretary
Selwin Lewis – Techno Support Secretary
The audience was served with refreshments, Lavina D’Sa driving force of the event kept the audience enthralled with their skills and talents as always.
The Executive Committee also performed one of its kind ‘Lazy Dance’ which was the highlight and created much needed entertainment among the audience. The ladies and children ignited the stage with their awesome attire and stunning performances.
• Dance by Kids group (Triston, Shanvin, Rion, Luke, Tiara, Deanne, Serah & Alansha) – Choreographed by Mamtha D’Cunha,
• Dance by Rinet Menezes and Melina Goveas,
• Dance by Dazzling Girls – Reshma, Anisha, Silvia - Choreographed by Anisha D’costa
• Dance by Dancing Divas – Siona, Lianne, Nia, Nessa Saldanha & Calida Rodrigues – Choreographed by Siona Saldanha
• Dance by Micheal Goveas and Team – Francis, Sam, Rinet Menezes & Micheal, Melina Goveas, Ivan D’Souza & Elsan D’Costa
Solo Konkani singers Pradeep D’Souza (Brahmavar) & Mstr Rishon Fernandes and an Incredible Solo Violin piece by Laura D’Sa.
The stage was then taken over by our community’s well-known singers/ musicians, Symphony group - Triven Goveas, Sachin Lobo, Naveen Mathias and Laveesha D’Souza, singing of famous Konkani Medley was in great rhythm made everyone flock the dancing floor. The finale was with DJ Loveline Rego, who with his tremendous skills captured the imagination of the audience and kept them on the floor well past midnight.
The organizers had left no stone unturned to make this event a memorable one. True to their efforts, the much awaited ‘Easter Joy’ created history for being one-of-its-kind and exceeding the expectations of the attendees by far. The energy, verve and spirit among the participants soared incredibly high in Sohar Ball room of Safeer Plaza Al Khuwair.
Backdrop banner printing by Raphael Quadros, Zahrat Al Rawdha printers, Selwin Lewis & Francis for the drapes, Balloon stands by Jeffry, Safeer Hotel and staff, Sound and music from Zezito. Sponsors Nabil Biscuits.
We want to thank Loveline Rego - DJ of the evening, Joachim D’Souza – photographer for the event, Lavina D’Sa – emcee, registration counters Sonal, Ashwin, Mamtha, Freeda, Ophelia & Meera. Prem Machado – presentation slides, volunteers who helped us at the event, GMCC -EC team & families to pull off such a momentous event.