Bulacan Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro and his wife Sunshine Garcia-Castro attended the famous "Obando Fertility Rites" in Obando, Bulacan on Friday, May 19.
After attending the Holy Mass, Castro and Sunshine happily joined the fertility dance and procession, which is celebrated every 17th of May in honor of San Pascual Baylon; every 18th of May for Sta. Clara, and 19th of May for Nuestra Señora de Salambao.
On May 19, an awarding ceremony for the Natatanging Obandeños was held as well as for the champions of the Palarong Pambayan held two weeks ago.
The festival is for childless couples, maidens, and bachelors looking for mates, thankful parents, grateful farmers, and fishermen who dance along the streets to pray for children and a good harvest.
In the month of May, the Province of Bulacan celebrates two of the most popular festivals in the country, the Obando Fertility, and the Kneeling Carabao Rites.
The Kneeling Carabao Festival is celebrated on the feast day of San Isidro Labrador from May 14 to 15. Hundreds of domesticated animals, mostly carabaos, led a parade in the streets of Pulilan town in honor of its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
The carabaos were decorated with garland and shaved for the occasion, genuflect or kneeling in front of the Church.
Farmers all over the town pay tribute to San Isidro Labrador in glorious thanksgiving for a year-long bountiful harvest.
The celebration is manifested by hanging all sorts of fruits, candies, food crops, and multi-colored kiping on bamboo poles.
The affairs are highlighted by the kneeling of carabaos in front of the church and the symbolic floats.
Every year, tourists drive to town to witness the innate talents of the carabaos.