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Photo: Ramon FVelasquez, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Literally meaning "Dance in Obando", the practice is believed to have been a Hispanicized version of a precolonial fertility ritual whose subject of veneration was transferred from animist deities to the patron saints of Obando Church. The practice was discouraged and even banned by clergy on multiple occasions due to its syncretic origins, but has since been accepted by the church as an integral aspect of Catholic faith in town. The ritual is commonly celebrated on Sundays, but its biggest edition is on the feast days of Obando's three patron saints in May, during which pilgrims seeking to bear children flock to the church while massive processions are held in the streets to the tune of a theme song dedicated to Saint Clare, which is also a popular children's song in the Philippines.
The Obando Fertility Rites are a dance ritual, Anitist in origin, that later became a Catholic festival celebrated every May in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines. 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, Santa Clara, and Nuestra Señora de Salambáo.
San Pascual Baylón Parish and National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepción de Salambáo
Obando's main Roman Catholic church, rebuilt in its original Spanish-era design following World War II destruction. Unlike most churches, it is dedicated to three patron saints, namely St. Pascual Baylon, St. Claire of Assisi and the indigenous Our Lady of Salambao.
The Obando Fertility Rites are performed on Sundays following the 8AM Mass and the feast day of Our Lady of Salambao on May 19. Following the performances, the staff will offer free eggs, a symbol of fertility associated with St. Claire. There is also an ecclesiastical museum on the second floor of the convent building and a souvenir store.