Obando Fertility Rites

Locals and pilgrims, sometimes dressed in traditional costume, dance and sing in the town's streets to honor and beseech Obando's three patron saints: San Pascual (Paschal Baylon), Santa Clara (Clare of Assisi) and Nuestra Señora de Salambáo (Our Lady of Salambao).

The introduction of St. Clare by Spanish Franciscans as a replacement for pre-colonial Tagalog gods, especially the deity of conception Diyan Masalanta, transformed the old, animist Kasilonawan dancing ritual into the offering of the fandango to the saint to prevent or cure sterility in women.

Upon entering Obando Church, the couple was amazed by the sight of Saint Paschal's image, for its face looked exactly like the young crab vendor.

Legend tells of three fishermen named Juan, Julián, and Diego dela Cruz, who caught the Virgin Mary's image in their salambáw, a fishing net supported with bamboo crosspieces and mounted on a raft.

They were fishing at a place known as Hulingduong, Binwangan (now part of Malabon), and, when they decided to bring the image to the neighbouring town of Navotas, their boat suddenly grew heavy and immobile.

During World War II, the church and a large portion of Obando were ravaged by fire; included amongst the damaged property were the images of the three patron saints.

Rome R. Fernández and the Komisyon ng Kalinangan (Commission on Culture) of Obando helped in having the ban lifted and in reviving the ancient dance ritual, which is still practised to this day.

In his 1887 novel Noli Me Tángere, José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, has a character in Chapter 6 ("Captain Tiago") attribute her long-sought pregnancy to the rites.