Golden Goa Association founder member Martha Fernandes (92) along with her knitted blanket and other members of the association.
LONDON
It was a celebration with a cause, as the Golden Goa Association (GGA) in Southampton, UK, raised £700 for an orphanage in Margao at the feast celebrations of St Francis Xavier in Southampton.
The GGA organised its 13th Feast of St Francis Xavier, fondly hailed as the Goencho Saib, at Holy Family Catholic Church Hall, Millbrook, Southampton, in the south of England on December 2 from 3 pm to 11 pm.
Devotees of the saint travelled to the venue from different parts of the UK, besides the locals from Southampton, Portsmouth, Swindon, Winchester, Fareham, Kent, Surrey, London, Hayes, Feltham, Southall, Reading and Swindon.
“What was also special about this event was that it was entirely free for members and guests due to generous donations and sponsorships,” said GGA President RJ Roque Vaz.
CELEBRATIONS
UK’s leading Goan band ‘Treble Makers’ was in attendance, while DJ Greg Cardozo from Southall also entertained the gathering with different genres of music.
Some of the guests at the feast celebrations of St Francis Xavier in Southampton.
The main host of the celebration and event manager was RJ Roque Vaz. He was supported by popular fitness celebrity and Instagram influencer Anjali D’Costa. Ciana D’Costa, who recently was elected as an advisory councillor (Goan-Origin) of the Portuguese community in London and herself an event hostess and stage actress, was the Guest of Honour.
The highlight of the event was the melodious singing of the popular Konkani hymn ‘Sam Francis Xaviera’ in honour of the patron saint to the accompaniment of music by ‘Treble Makers’.
There was a special Santa Claus act, which brought cheer and smiles in the audience, especially the kids. Allan D’Costa donned the Santa Claus attire and danced merrily with everyone.
CHARITY
The Association’s chosen charity of this year was ‘Lar De Santa Terezinha’, an orphanage for girls at Pajifond-Margao. A total sum of £700 was raised at the event via Housie, special auction and generous donations from the event attendees.
A special auction was also organised to raise funds. Martha Fernandes, a 92-year-old founder member of the Association, had laboriously made a beautiful knitted patchwork blanket (popularly called Godri in Konkani language), which was auctioned off for a bid of £140 by Braulio Pereira from Reading.
Joe Valent Braganza, Tiatr and Goan culture promoter, was the main sponsor of the annual event in Southampton. Dr Tracy and Dr Rochelle Coelho and a well-wisher family from London also gave financial support. Anjali D’Costa sponsored the Christmas gifts.
Anushka Ponniah, Bosco Dias, Bihula Vaz and RJ Roque Vaz also chipped in with some cash to increase the collection for the charity based in South Goa.
CONTESTS
Different contests were organised and the winners received spot prizes sponsored by Sheldon and Swati Braganza. Noted personality Newton Albuquerque was the judge for most of the contests and he was given a special prize by Dr Tracy Coelho.
Couples gather for a spot prize contest along with the judge, Newton Albuquerque (centre).
Macroy Falcao from Reading won an Air Fryer sponsored by Assumpta D’Costa, while Aloysius D’Costa won a Family Toaster donated by Melissa Fernandes and Roger Pereira as bingo prizes.
Ciana and Cosme D’Costa were adjudged as the most romantic couple on the dance floor. Little Britney Dias and Analita D’Costa won prizes as the best dancing kids and they were chosen by DJ Greg Cardozo. Lorna and Diago D’Costa along with Denise Steele and Rome De Cruz also won prizes for couple contests.
CUISINE
The salient feature of the buffet was that all dishes were either home-cooked or sponsored by the families.
The snacks included Chutney Sandwiches (cooked by Vally D’Costa), Onion Bhajias (cooked by Nathalie Sequeira), Forminhas (Rita Borges), Beef patties (Alancy D’Costa) and Samosas for all the volunteers (sponsored by Anushka and Francis Ponniah, originally from Sri Lanka).
The Goan buffet was made possible with the support of many families and the cuisine included Pulao (sponsored by Jose and Michelle Effy De Souza), Sorpotel (made by Bihula Vaz), Choneacho Ros (sponsored by Victor Fernandes and Rita Borges), chicken curry (cooked by Alex and Assumpta D’Costa), Goan beef stew (prepared by Ruby and Bosco Wangstone Dias), Chicken 65 (cooked by Kevin and Melarie Noronha), mixed vegetable curry along with salad, fish mayonnaise and pickle (made by Bihula Vaz). Maura Fernandes (Southall) was given the honour of reciting the Grace Before Meal.
Other donations included two large celebratory cakes (sponsored by Nivedita and Victor Roberts), beers and hard drinks (sponsored by William and Jenny Gomes from Swindon), soft drinks (donated by Amit Rebelo and Steffina Jacob), water, juices and fruit salad (sponsored by Sebastian and Ramona D’Costa) and different assortment of wines (sponsored by Nivedita and Victor Roberts).
COLLABORATION
A number of volunteers offered their services to ensure the success of the event.
The volunteers who helped to set up and decorate the hall were GGA Vice-President Assumpta Maria D’Costa, Allan D’Costa, Nivedita and Victor Roberts, GGA General Secretary Bihula Vaz and GGA President RJ Roque Vaz.
Nivedita, Assumpta and Bihula were the deputy event managers, while Vally D’Costa, Alancy D’Costa, Bosco Wangstone Dias, Sebastian Savio D’Costa and Michael Cardoso also volunteered at the event.
Tony Vaz, Floyd and Fellon Fernandes manned the drinks counter and kept the drinks flowing throughout the evening.
Parish Administrator at Holy Family Church Catherine Merrifield helped with the hall arrangements, while Bihula Vaz was the main marketing manager.
