THE GOAN NETWORK | PANAJI
Canada-based Radio Mango’s first worldwide singing contest, held to commemorate its 10th anniversary, attracted talent from all over the world and Goans bagged the top three prizes.
The contest was open to all Konkani singers of any age from around the globe. Agnelo Fernandes from Calangute won the first prize for his rendition of his original song ‘Mog Calangute Praier’, while Monica Fernandes from Merces was declared the first runner-up for her original composition ‘Louis Tailor’, a song dedicated to her father. The 13-year-old Ethan Pinto was the second runner-up for the song ‘Sopnam’.
Agnelo won $500 (Canadian dollars) sponsored by Reynold Sequeira of Remax Realty Specialists Inc and Romeo Jack Barbosa of Green Pi, while Monica won the second prize of $300 sponsored by Max Mendes Group Real Estate Consulting and Investments. Ethan Pinto was presented with $200, sponsored by Flavian Pinto of Sunlife.
All three winners also received Crystal trophies, sponsored by Mario Martins of 3 Way International Logistics Inc.
Separately, awards were presented to the two top winners from among participants in Canadian. A spice-filled hamper, donated by Noel D’Souza of Goan Spices, was won by Sonia Monteiro who took top honours, and Wilson D’Souza won two Amazon gift cards, donated by Cynthia Gomes James for first runner-up.
The enthusiasm and singing prowess of 82-year-old Mary Philomena Colaso from Loutolim impressed the judges and she was awarded the special Jury Award, sponsored by Reynold Sequeira.
The Global Konkani Idol contest marked Radio Mango’s decade-long journey as a not-for-profit venture run by Milena Marques-Zachariah, who hails from Parra. She took it from a live radio to a podcast, to reach more listeners across the globe.
“The aim was to provide a global platform to showcase the talent of Konkani artistes from Goa and Mangalore, plus the Konkani diaspora spread all over the world. This contest created a buzz and interest beyond my expectations,” said Milena Marques-Zachariah.
Radio Mango is unique because it was created for the Mangalorean and Goan diaspora spread across the globe. The name MANGO is a contraction of Mangalorean and Goan. True to its name, Radio Mango’s unique format caters to both these communities.
The global Konkani idol contest had equal representation from both communities. Radio Mango’s entertaining podcast is available on www.radiomango.ca every Saturday evening.
Agnelo Fernandes
Ethan Pinto
Mary Colaso
Milena Marques-Zachariah
Monica Fernandes
