São João de Igrej-Vaddo, Marna
Last year in 2008 for the first time we celebrated the Festival in honour of Saint John the Baptist, on 25th of June at Igrej-Vaddo, Marna, in front of Holy Cross Chapel and near the Tank of Vethal (Vethalachi Tolli).
The children of Igrej-Vaddo with crowns of fresh flowers on their heads were jumping in the water of Vethalachi Tolli and were swimming with their plastic and rubber floating jackets in the presence of a huge crowd of onlookers.
There was also a singing programme on the big stage erected there, with a sound system and D’Pietros Band of Anjuna in attendance and they entertained the crowd of people with their melodious and delightful tunes.
Many professional actors and singers from outside of Siolim were called to act and sing on the stage and they are as follows:- 1. Socorro de Santa Cruz 2. William de Curtorim 3. Francis de Saligão 4. Caetano de Calangute 5. Cyril Almeida 6. Anthony Sylvester 7. Hortencio Pereira 8. Aliston 9. Aaron 10. Nato 11. Bai Clarifa 12. Bai Selvina 13. Bai Matilda 14. Bab Ubaldo de Marna 15. Michael de Siolim
Our children also presented one skit called: “San Juany Gunvta Mure”
There were also some competitions
Before starting the programme Mr. Simon, Zhor-Boy from Anjuna entertained the crowd by dancing in front of the stage attired as a Toddy-Tapper. The comperes of the programme were Mr. Royston D’Souza and Mrs. Perpetua D’Souza. Rev. Fr. Britto Furtado Parish Priest of Siolim was the Chief-Guest and Mr. Sylvester Fernandes, Sarpanch of Siolim-Marna and Mrs. Rita D’Cruz, Panch of Marna Ward were the guests of honour.
During the programme, the Chronicler of Siolim, Sebastian D’Cruz from Marna was felicitated for his selfless service to the Villagers of Siolim-Marna and for his painstaking efforts in recording and publishing the history of Saint Anthony’s Church and the villages of Siolim Marna through his writings.
Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Perpetua D’Souza, highlighted the achievement of Mr. D’Cruz as a writer, sacristan, music-teacher, choir-master, care-taker, panchayat member, etc.
The Chief-Guest, Rev. Fr. Britto Furtado, Parish Priest of Siolim felicitated him by offering a bouquet of flowers while social-worker, Romaldina D’Souza and President of Holy Cross Chapel, Luis Peter D’Souza felicitated him by offering him a shawl.
Mr. D’Cruz expressed his gratitude to the Committee and the people of Igrej-Vaddo and thanked Miss Matilda Fernandes for singing a Konkani song dedicated to him, specially composed by her brother Mr. Floriano Fernandes and a accompanied by D’Pietros Band from Anjuna and Babush with his violin
Courtesy: Sebastian D’Cruz