Rains fail to dampen Obando fertility fest

OBANDO, Bulacan – Monsoon rains brought by tropical storm Cosme failed to dampen the spirits of devotees in the annual three-day Fertility Festival here as they started dancing on the streets on Saturday.

The annual festival that usually draws devotees who desire to have their own children will end today.

It is in celebration of the three patron saints, namely, Sta. Clara, San Pascual Baylon, and the Virgin of Salambao.

However, not all devotees that participated in the annual fertility dance were asking for a child.

Others danced to the tune of “Sta. Clarang pinong-pino” as a way to express their gratitude for answered prayers while others came to ask the patron saints’ intercession for them to have a boyfriend, girlfriend, a spouse, or grant them a better life or healing from disease.

Nene Gonzales, 70, a perennial devotee who came from this town said that she has been participating in the annual fertility dance for 36 years now as a way of thanksgiving, because she herself was asked by her mother from the patron saints 71 years ago.

For Josie Cruz, 50, she has been joining the fertility festival for the last 14 years after her prayers for healing were answered.

According to Father Oscar Duran, the town’s parish priest, the annual festival started over 200 years ago, since the town was established, and have drawn devotees even from abroad.

He said that aside from the feast of Sta. Clara, they are also celebrating the feasts of San Pascual Baylon and the Virgin of Salambao in the annual festival.

Duran said that through the years, pilgrims come to this town and participate in the festival whether it’s raining or not.