Nuestra Señora de Salambao of Obando, Bulacan - Advocate of Expectant and Childless Mothers

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Nuestra Señora de Salambao
In the fishing town of Obando in Bulacan, a certain fiesta is very well known throughout the country for its famous Fertility Dance Rites Festivals that lasted for three days in honor of Obando's three patrons, Saint Paschal Bailon, St. Claire of Assisi, both Franciscan Saints and the famed Nuestra Señora de Salambao.

The Virgin of Salambao (A Tagalog word for a big fishing net) is known in the country as advocate for those who wanted a child and expectant mothers for such petitions were granted, especially if one will dance to its famous tune to get pregnant. The Virgin also known to for helping the people of Obando for a good catch and harvest for the entire year.

The Lady in the net

The image of Nuestra Señora de Salambao is an image of the Immaculate Conception that is stylized inside a salambao (a fishing net) to remind the devotees of her origin.

There were two image of the Virgin of Salambao venerated in Obando, the altar image with a morena complexion while the processional image, the Festejada has a fair complexion. Both images wear a set of vestments that are given by devotees that are made in different fabrics and embroidery styles as a form of thanksgiving. The Virgin also wears a set of Doce Estrellas and a Corona Imperial, which are diagnostic to almost every Marian images in the country.

The Origin

On June 19, 1763, two fishermen named Juan and Julian de la Cruz were busy fishing along the shore of  Hacienda Tambobong, now known as the city of Malabon, when they unexpectedly caught an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in their salambao.

The fishermen decided to bring it to the nearest church in Tambobong. As they began to row towards Tambobong, the salambao grew heavy as if the image wanted to be venerated in a different location that she desired. The fishermen then switched directions and began heading towards Obando, Bulacan. To their astonishment, the salambao became lighter and they managed to reach the shore of Obando safely.

Once they arrived in Obando the image first stayed in the residence of Diego dela Cruz, the helper of the two fishermen, and he reported the miraculous catch to the parish priest, Padre Jose Martinez dela Hinojosa. Upon learning the miraculous beginnings of the image, he brought the image of the Virgin to the Parish of San Pascual Baylon, a Spanish Franciscan Mystic and the Virgin was placed in the middle of the altar for public veneration.

Numerous miracles happened immediately with the enthronement of the Virgin and she wrought miracles to the town and to her pilgrims outside Obando. The images of the three patrons, which are presently venerated are replicas, since the original ones got burned with the Church and convent during the Japanese Liberation of 1945. The replicas were commissioned and the church was rebuilt in 1947. It was later declared a shrine for the province of Bulacan by the Bishop Jose Oliveros. The Lady of Salambao received an Episcopal Coronation on December 12, 2004.

Obando Fertility Rites
The Obando Fertility Rites

Obando has become a locus of panata for childless couples. The ritual dance may be traced back to the pre-Hispanic beliefs of our ancestors. The ancient ritual involved drinking, singing and dance, and was normally held at the home of a datu or barangay chieftain. Fertility rites were believed to help barren women in conceiving.

When Spanish Franciscan missionaries arrived in the Philippines, they propagated Christianity by building churches and introducing Catholic saints. St. Claire, St. Pascual and Our Lady of Salambao and the dance ritual was later incorporated.

Sts. Pascual Bailon and Clare of Assisi
The Obando Fertility Rites are mentioned explicitly in Dr. Jose Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere", where Doña Pia Alba had to dance the pandanggo in Obando in order to bear a child, Maria Clara.

The Obando religious rites are conducted on three consecutive days in May each year. May 17 is the feast day of San Pascual Baylon; May 18 is the feast of Santa Clara and May 19 for the feast of the Birhen ng Salambao. Devotees dance along the streets together with colorfully costumed women to pray for safe pregnancies, children and a bountiful harvest.

Many people attend the festival hoping to appeal for the saints' intercession. Couples who wish for children appeal to Sta. Clara (St. Clare of Assisi). Fishermen and farmers pray to Our Lady of Salambao for a bountiful catch or harvest. Others pray to San Pascual de Baylon, a model of religious virtue. Some pray to find suitable husbands or wives. Devotees sing the hymn honoring Sta. Clara as they stamp their feet, wave their hands and sway their hips towards the Obando Church during the three-day celebration.

The devotion

The devotion to the Virgin of Salambao continues to be strong for centuries as thousands of devotees and tourists also come from around the country and from overseas to watch and participate in the rites. Miracles were also reported after their participation to the devotional dance. The Virgin of Salambao proves that the Blessed Virgin is always listening to the supplications of her devotees and present them to God to grant these graces which further emphasize her role as the Mediatrix of All Grace.

Reference:

Barcelona, Mary Anne.(2004),Ynang Maria: A Celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the  Philippines.  Edited by Consuelo B. Estepa, Ph.D. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc,
Pagsisiyam sa Mahal na Birhen ng Salambao, Parish of San Pascual Bailon, Diocesan Shrine of  Nuestra Señora de Salambao, Obando, Bulacan.
Obando Fertility Rites: Dance Your Way to Fertility, Retrieved from  http://infertilityphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/05/obando-fertility-rites-dance-your-way.html May 15, 2017.

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