Muscat: Josma Rodrigues and Sachin Lobo Advance Into GVOM-Season 4 Finals

By Lin Pinto
Pics by Arun Jivraj Lobo
Bellevision Media Network

Muscat, 19 Sept 2014: Josma Rodrigues and Sachin Lobo marched triumphantly into the finals of Gulf Voice of Mangalore-Season 4. Twelve singing sensations from Oman contested the Gulf Voice of Mangalore-Season 4 to be given the charge to be the Flag-Bearer of Oman at the Grand Finale of the most awaited singing reality show in the Gulf.

The semi-finals was organized by the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish(MCCP) Oman at the Majan Continental Hotel, Ghala. The first season of Gulf Voice of Mangalore was in 2008 and the show thus far has dished out talented singers along this delightfully musical journey! A large number of Konkani music lovers gathered in the hall to witness the singing of the contestants. The event kick started at 5 p.m. with the tiny tots of MCCP Oman singing  Ace orator Mrs. Lavina D’sa, took charge of the stage by compeering the evening’s programme. It has been a tradition at MCCP to invoke God’s blessings at the start of the programme. Fr. Stany Goveas led the faithful into a time of prayer by reading of the Gospel and a short homily.

The 12 semi-finalists were escorted into the hall by beautifully dressed children to the tune of the GVOM Anthem. What a gracious sight it was to see the semi-finalists Inez Lobo, Josma Rodrigues, Melita Alva, Renita Quadras, Astrin D’silva and Melanie Crasta in the women’s category and Brian Madtha, Jonathan Bennett, Sachin Lobo, Issac Peter D’souza, Joel Mendonca and Cavin D’souza march into the hall with a clear-cut vision to battle it out to be chosen as Oman’s face and voice at the Grand finale of the GVOM-season 4. Henry Martis, a core team member, welcomed the august gathering.

The team behind the preparations of the Gulf Voice of Mangalore-Season 4, to be hosted in Oman this year, “the Steering Committee” then was given a warm and befitting welcome as they walked into the hall on to the dais. The Steering Committee comprised of Stanley Fernandes as its Chairman of the Committee, Henry Martis, Clarence Pinto, Donald Pinto, Suraj Rebello – the Core Team Members, Apolinaris D’souza – The senior member and the Mentor, Prsecilla Menezes- the present president of MCCP, Michael Goveas – The President of Ghala Konkans & Parish Council Member of Ghala Parish,  Monica Dantis (Year 19) & Lancy Lobo (Year 22) – MCCP Past Presidents, Edward Mendonca and Mariete Fernandes – Current Vice Presidents of MCCP, John Gonsalves – Hon. Treasurer of GVOM-4 and Ophelia Lazarus (Year 22) – Past Vice President of MCCP.

At the felicitations, Fr. Stany Goveas and the chief guests Ligory D’mello and Vincent Machado were honoured with bouquet of flowers.

 

To keep the memories of the GVOM-season 4 alive in the minds of the entire Konkani community in the GCC, a souvenir is being prepared and Vincent Machado unleashed the Grand souvenir replica. The Souvenir Committee is headed by Suraj Rebello, Design conceptualized by Prescilla Menezes and the marketing team is Mariete Fernandes and Philomena Mendonca.
The formal part of the program was scrupulously handled by ace compeer Lavina D’sa.

Entertaining the audience was the group of yester years’ Voice of Oman at GVOM seasons 1,2 and the Gulf Voice of Mangalore-3. They were DolphyVaz, Vivian Fernandes, Victoria Suares, Reena D’souza and Nirmala Goveas supported by the macho voice, Dilip Correa, who made a grand entry as they sang… a perfect beginning for a musical moment. Dilip Correa then took over the competition part and managed this part of the epistle, meticulously.

The mammoth task of selecting the best among the good array of singers was in the hands of the panel of judges. Monica Dantis the past president of MCCP, introduced the panelists as Oswald D’souza, Prem Lobo, Ivy D’souza and Ajith Peter. The judges were presented beautiful bouquet of flowers by Mariette Fernandes, Edward Mendonca, Ophelia Lazarus and John Gonsalves respectively. 

Often known as the One-Man Band, the man who was to provide the live music for all contestants, Mr. Thusara Kuruvitage, a Sri Lankan by birth was accorded a warm welcome supported by the cheering audience who were already in love with his singing and music rendition. He was presented a bouquet of flowers by Micheal Goveas.

Every competition is guided by the boundaries of a set of rules and regulations. Dilip Correa read out the rules for the contestants. The semi-finalists from the Women’s category were called onto the stage to take their rightful places.
Opening the competition was the group of aspiring ladies who were set to entertain the audience. Inez Lobo sang “Mai” gracefully, young lass Josma Rodrigues impressed the judges and audience with her husky voice modulating as the song called for, Renita Quadras got everyone’s feet tapping with a peppy number sweetly,  Melita Alva set a new pitch to the evening with her soulful voice, Astrin D’silva with her melodious voice and variations mesmerized the crowd into the fantasy world, Melanie Crasta rocked the floor and proved as a crowd puller performer. The judges encouraged and appreciated all the contestants in their personal dialogue upon each ones performance.

Seeing the ladies do so well, put the men in a pressure-tight situation. Up next was the group of men who were eagerly awaiting their chance. Brian Madtha showed off his range in singing with   “Maria” of Mog ani Maipas all time favourite for all, Joel Mendonca gave a surreal performance, Cavin D’souza sounded like a real star as he sang “Sopnethalon”, next up Jonathan Bennett worked the audience by singing “Sodaan Raathi”, Sachin Lobo displayed his singing talent with “Ye Paatti Moga”and Issac D’souza set the stage ablaze with his soulful voice.

At the breaktime, crowd was satisfied with snacks. Fr. Wilson Rumao, Assistant Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi and Spiritual Director of MCCP Oman was escorted to the dais by Stanley Fernandes and offered a bouquet of flowers. 
Lancy Lobo proposed the vote of thanks offering much deserved gratitude to God Almighty, Fr. Raul Ramos, Fr. Wilson Rumao, Fr. Albert D’silva, Ligory D’mello, Steering Committee of GVOM-Oman, Executive Committee of MCCP Oman, Judges for the semi-finals, Thusara Kuruvitage, ApolinarisD’souza, mentors for the contestants, Sponsor OMANTEL, contestants , emcees Dilip Correa and LavinaD’sa, Talentz LLC for the sound and lighting arrangements, management of Majan Continental Hotel, Laila for beautifully decorating the hall, Media Department – Lin and Shanon, Music Management Loveline Rego, and all who have worked behind the scenes and of course the patient and supportive audience.

The judges were honoured by Vincent Machado, Ligory D’mello, Prescilla Machado and Stanley Fernandes who handed over momentos respectively to Oswald D’souza, Prem Lobo, Ivy D’souza and Ajith Peter D’souza as token of appreciation. One of the judge Prem Lobo shared his word of advice to all contestants and congratulated them for their courage to sing in front of such a huge audience. Ms. Ivy got the crowd swaying as she delivered a scintillating performance. The crowd just could not stop cheering for her and all jumped to dance as she sang with her powerful voice.

Thusara was given a standing ovation by all contestants as they well knew they would not have been able to deliver their performances, as he was honoured with a momento. Monica Waldar was also acknowledged with floral bouquet for unstumbling support throughout this journey.

Apolinaris D’souza, Ida Pinto, Victoria Suares, Reena D’souza, Nirmala Goveas, DolphyVaz, were appreciated for having taken time out to mentor all the contestants.

After a lot of speculation, suspense and wait, the winners were pronounced by Suraj Rebello. Josma Rodrigues and Sachin Lobo emerged as winners while hopes and dreams of the other contestants were cut short at this point… yet a sense of satisfaction gleemed on the faces of all contestants as they felt they all had learnt to perfect themselves in Konkani Music.

 

Fr. Wilson Rumao handed over the winning trophy and gift hamper to Josma and Sachin. Vincent Machado and Ligory D’mello gave away trophies to the first runner-up Melanie Crasta and Joel Mendonca in the Female and Male category respectively and the second runner-up Astrin D’silva and Jonathan Bennett in the Female and Male category respectively. But of course the day’s result won’t stop the remaining contestants from fulfilling their dreams in the next edition of Gulf Voice of Mangalore. Nevertheless all semi-finalists were presented momentos.

Sachin Lobo, hailing from Bendore, having completed Mechanical Engineering from Str. Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor believes dancing is his passion but says that he will take his singing talent to the next level as he goes head on to represent Oman at GVOM-Season 4 Grand Finale.

Josma Rodrigues born in Kinnigoli and brought up in Muscat says singing is her first love and will never let the talent go down. Having completed her Chemical Engineering from NIT, Warangal, she is all prepared to bring in some action and get a positive reaction from the judges and audience at the Grand Finale.

On November 7, 2014, the fate of Gulf Voice of Mangalore-Season 4 will be sealed in Al Falaj hotel, Muscat. This year, Oman takes on the challenge to host the biggest singing reality show in the Gulf. Time will tell if Oman’s Josma and Sachin capture the title of Gulf Voice of Mangalore-Season 4 in their own host country…!

Konkani music lovers can’t wait to watch the finalists from the other GCC countries take on each other as they clash for the coveted title.