(Nuestra Señora de Salambao)

Patroness of Fishermen

Feast from May 17 to 19 Philippines, Obando, Bulacan

Obando Fertility Rites:

As far back as a century ago, childless women have been making the journey to the small town of Obando, Bulacan to pay homage to its three patron saints: Santa Clara, San Pascual de Baylon and Our Lady of Salambao, in the hopes of being blessed with a child or a suitable mate.

From May 17 to 19 every year, along the banks of Angat River, childless women gyrate and sway to the Santa Clara melody. The enormous parade ends at the church, where the devotees continue to dance up the aisle.
 

1. San Pascual de Baylon
   He was born in 1540 and canonized in 1690, was a Spanish shepherd until he joined the Franciscan Order as a lay brother. In spite of his lack of formal education, many sought his counsel and he led a life of self-sacrifice and contemplative devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Folks in Obando ask his help in seeking for a wife and celebrate his feast day on May 17th.

2. Santa Clara
   She was a daughter of a nobleman, founded the Order of Poor Claire. St. Francis of Assisi inspired and influenced her to adopt a life of work and prayers in perfect poverty. The tradition in Obando is for a girl to pray for a fiancé through the intercession of Santa Clara.

3. Our Lady of Salambao
   It is a special title given to our Lady, the Virgin. Salambao means fishing net in Tagalog and probably the title signifies that she is the patroness of the fishermen in Obando.

These three patron saints of the Obando Church apparently have specializations. Santa Clara is the patroness of the childless, San Pascual the devoted worshipper, and the Lady of the Salambao (fishing net) the intercessor for the town's principal source of livelihood, fishing.

Our Lady of Salambao is a special title given to our Lady, the Virgin. Salambao means fishing net in Tagalog and probably the title signifies that she is the patroness of the fishermen in Obando. She is also the patroness for couples asking for a child. In addition to the feast in Obando celebrated from May 17 to 19, devotees – childless couples, parents, farmers and fishermen - also honor Obando Church’s patron saints on the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

The image of the Virgen de Salambao was found by brothers Julian, 20, and Juan de la Cruz, 18, in 1793 inside their net (salambao). With them was their helper Diego de la Cruz. The brothers were fishing in the river Hulongdoong in barrio Binuangan, then part of Bayang Tambobong (now Malabon). They immediately rushed the image to the nearest church, the Church of San Jose in Navotas, but the salambao turned heavy rendering rowing difficult and the  river current  ran to the direction  of Obando, eventually, they failed to bring the image to the said church.

The image was brought to Diego's house in Obando. Two days later, Padre Jose Martinez de la Hinojosa brought the Virgin to the church of San Pascual Baylon.

The image of the Our Lady of Salambao started bringing blessing to the town and those who flocked to honor her in her feast day May 19. Those who implore her help dance the fandango in the streets of Obando and inside the church. Her miraculous image grants  spouse, children, fruitful business ventures and good health.

Obando is on the south of Bulacan and is 16 kilometers away from the Rizal Monument in Luneta. To go there, you may arrange tours with travel agencies. If you plan to go by bus, take the Baliwag or Royal Eagle bus lines.