Muscat: Majestic MCCP Inaugural Day - 2009
Report: Dolly Sequeira
Photographs: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Aug 15: MCCP, the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) staged a phenomenal program, an amalgamation of talents, efforts and two months of diligent preparation, under the leadership of the new president, Suraj Rebello along with his newly elected team. As announced earlier in www.daijiworld.com, this was the first program of the year 2009 - 2010 titled as “18th MCCP Inaugural Day” and was held on Friday, 14th August 2009 at the main hall of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi. The theme of the year being “Sthree : Ghoracho Divo, Sonvsaracho Uzvadd” (Woman : Light of Home, Radiance of World); the year is dedicated to Women of the community and the world at large was indeed very prominent in the whole spectrum.
The function commenced precisely at 10.30 a.m. with a High Mass in Konkani offered by Fr. Albert D Silva, OFM Cap, Mangalorean priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi and Spiritual Director of MCCP. The Konkani Choir under the leadership of Apolinaris D’ Souza, charismatic Konkani composer and singer, presented the melodious and spirit filled hymns. The choir was voiced by Victoria Soares, Dolphy Vaz, Nirmala Goveas, Lancy Sequeira, Jovita Sequeira, Valerian Peris, Ronald Lobo, Vivian Fernandes, Jessy Castelino, Anitha Lobo, Ivan Moras, Lancy Pinto, Naveen Mascarenhas, Flavia Castelino, Jessy Serrao, Flavia D’ Souza and Clita Crasta. Meval Dantis provided the music. Mariette Fernandes, Monica Dantis, Prescilla Machado, Jessie Pereira and Ajith Walder presented the holy readings and announcements during the Holy Mass.
After the Holy Mass, the cultural program commenced at 12.00 noon with a welcome note by upcoming and lively compere of the community, Ivan Moras. First item of the program was a brilliant and blissful spiritual tableau titled “The Assumption of Mother Mary” truly created a sense of holiness in the gathering. Mother Mary’s role was presented by Flavia Menezes, dance was choreographed by Sonia D’ Souza, music was provided by Meval Dantis and attractive angelic dance was presented by Reisha Quadros and Vanessa Martis . The traditional and legendary MCCP song “Parameshwara” was sung by the MCCP youth singers. This MCCP anthem was composed and music given by “Konkani Sangeethacho Rai Kunvar” (Muscat Konkani Music world’s Prince) Oswald D’ Souza almost 17 years ago. The participants of the “Parameshwara” song were Tanya Pinto, Cheryl Fernandes, Amanda Lobo, Kimberly Dias, Josma Rodrigues, Lanisha Sequeira, Larissa Rego, Rhea Fernandes, Lanston Pinto, Praful Serrao, Denzil Saldanha and Meval Dantis
Suraj Rebello, the current MCCP president with his charismatic leadership thoughts and vibrant qualities of attracting audience, introduced the dynamic team for the year 2009-2010. He called his team as a group of enthusiastic, energetic members, who looked forward to serving the community with talents and best services. Then he presented President’s speech expressing his joy of being given an opportunity to serve the community during 18th year of existence in the Sultanate of Oman. He described his seven lady members to the seven colors of the rainbow and three of them, as Three Musketeers. There was a unique presentation of lighting of the traditional lights with all the Executive Committee members coming together expressing a great unity among the team.
Fr. Albert’s birthday is always a joyful event for the Konkani speaking community of the parish and it was celebrated with a lively birthday song cheerfully sung by youth singers.
Fr. Albert D’ Silva addressed the gathering and thanked the current Executive Committee for bringing a show of this nature.
The past presidents MCCP who were present during the function, Robert Cuthino, Donald Pinto, Henry Martis, Stanley Fernandes and Clarence Pinto were then honored by Suraj Rebello with floral bouquets.
To reflect the role of Women as lady politicians , a song was sung titled “Indianth Noval Gadla” by Lanisha Sequeira and Josma Rodrigues, music was added by talented young Lanston Pinto as the guitarist and Meval Dantis on the keyboard. As we stand on the eve of India’s Independence Day and to mark our respect to our nation the song “Vande Matharam” was played, all the kids in the gathering walked to the podium waving India’s flag and carried the sense of being proud as Indians.
Amidst the audience was delighted to have the presence of Gretta Rebello who has rendered her services to the Karnataka State Government for the past 38 years. She is the retired Deputy Tashildar of Mangalore, an active member of the lady social service league in Mangalore and has also served as vice-president of its central committee. She is also the Assistant secretary of the Konkani Natak Sabha from 2003 till date and is the current Corporator of Kadri Shivabah ward. Also, she is nominated as a member of the central advisory committee, Ministry of labour and employment, Government of India from February 2009 for a period 3 years. She was escorted to the dais by Monica Dantis, Vice President – Cultural, Spiritual and Community Services and Prescilla Machado – Vice President – Sports and Finance Committee and honored by MCCP’s prominent member and Dakleancho Rai Henry Martis.
There was lucky draw on membership forms registered on the Annual Day 2008 and winner was Dr. Christopher Dias. The prize was presented by prominent businessman of the community and one of the main sponsors of the event, Clifford Sanctis of Hydrotec LLC.
Cyprian Misquith, the Honorary Treasurer of MCCP, took charge of the stage to honor the catechism teachers of Sts. Peter and Paul Church - Ruwi and Holy Sprit Church- Ghala for their selfless and valuable dedication towards the church and the children of the parishes. Fr. Albert D’ Silva honored the teachers and they were Helen Lobo, Mariette Fernandes, Clita Crasta, Nancy D’ Souza, Hilda Fernandes, Bernadine Aranha, Jane Castelino, Celine Nandakumar, Philomena Saldanha, Catherine Pereira, Lavina Patrao, Wilfred D’ Souza, Richard Mascarenhas, Brian Martis, Sunil Mascarenhas, Reena Mathias, Anna Mendonca, Jacintha Machado, Philomena Mendonca, Hilda Rasquinha, Elsie Lobo, Ivan D’ Souza, Lawrence Lobo, Rosanna Mendonsa, Valerian Crasta, Helen Sequeira, Dorothy Crasta, Tressy Goveas, Irene D’ Souza, Nina Crasta, Allan Mathias, Leena Fernandes, Jennifer Frank, Judith Noronha, Ignatius Rodriguez and Bernard Moras
“The Woman of substance” award was given to Eula Pinto for serving the community for a long period with dedication and ceaseless commitment to MCCP. Eula has offered her selfless service not only to the Mangalorean community but also to the parish and Poor of St. Antony Association (POSA) in particular for many years. She was also an instrumental to obtain sponsorship of the prominent organizations like Omantel.
An Arabic dance choreographed by Glenda Castelino and was presented by charming dancers Bertyl Noronha, Sonalika Nazareth, Priyanka Mendonca, Shannon Menezes, Relitsa Correa, Gissel Fernandes and Rishel D Souza. Two rib cracking skits were also put up by all time favorite Russel D’ Souza, Shalet Noronha, Helen Sequeira and Alwyn Pinto. These were directed by Shalet Noronha.
As customary MCCP meritorious students of X and XII (Commerce, Humanities and Science streams) standards who scored above 85% aggregate in the board exams of the year 2008 – 2009 were awarded the Certificates of Excellence. Scholarship and distinction award for class XII was awarded to Deerick Savio Rodrigues and for class X was awarded to Tanya Pinto by Clarence Donald Pinto, Kaikamba (Ex president of MCCP).
To remember the king of pop the youth paid tribute to Late Michael Jackson by presenting his golden hit number and participants were Denzil Saldanha, Lanisha Sequeira, Kimberly Dias, Josma Rodrigues, Amanda Lobo, Larissa Rego, Rhea Fernandes, Cheryl Fernandes, Gadrian D'Souza, Praful Serrao, Chelsea Misquith, Ashwini Aranha, Josyl Lobo, Lanston Pinto and Meval Dantis
To add beauty to the program the youth put up an entertaining mixed dance number choreographed by Brian Monis and presented by Reuben Castelino, Jyotsna Tharrakan, Rohit Lobo, Jayal Tharrakan, Melanie Crasta, Dean D' Souza, Saurav Rebello and Carol D' Souza
To remember the tradition of coastal Karnataka and specially Mangalore, Konkani dance was presented by Reena Mathais, Savitha Rebello, Juhi Mendonca, Anitha Lobo and Tanya Pinto. This fascinating dance was directed and choreographed by one the versatile choreographer of the community, Sonia D Souza.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Lydia Sanctis, the internal auditor of MCCP. The sponsors were honored by Stanley Fernandes. Vincent Machado presented tokens of appreciation to the choreographers and the talented personalities who helped in framing the day’s event. The Bonanza draw was conducted by Cyprian Misquith and Ajith Walder.
The first half of the program was compered by Ivan Moras and was then taken over by Reena Mathias and Lavina D’Sa. All of them did a marvelous job in presenting the programs meticulously. It was obvious that Lavina and Reena had prepared thoroughly to present lively and well synchronized dialogues and Ivan was good in his Konkani presentation.
Traditional and sumptuous Mangalorean food with Bafat, Chicken Sukka was prepared and served by Gracy / Henry Castelino of Barka.
The sponsors for the event were OmanTel being the mega sponsor, Hydrotec LLC, Muscat Golden Services LLC, Muscat Pharmacy, Zahrat Al Rawdha, Areej Vegatables Oil and Derivatives Co, Oman International Bank , Desert Fox and Karim Baksh Trading LLC.
It was truly an entertaining and Mangalorean spirit filled event for the community. Great job done by new Executive Committee under the leadership of Suraj Rebello..