Pateros, in the southeastern part of the National Capital Region, remains the only municipality within the sprawling metropolitan area composed mostly of cities. Although it has become highly-urbanized in recent years, it still retains its small-town character shaped by enduring traditions and local lore — most vividly expressed during its patronal fiesta in honor of Santa Marta de Pateros.

While the titular patron saint of Pateros is Saint Roch, devotion to Saint Martha of Bethany remains strong. In the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, her feast is celebrated on 29 July together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary. In Pateros, however, her patronal and thanksgiving feast is observed every second Sunday of February. The reason is uncertain, though it is surmised that this season coincides with the abundance of duck eggs — the main ingredient of the town’s most famous products: balut (fertilized duck egg) and the magenta-painted salted egg known as itlog maalat. Pateros has long been associated with duck raising, reflected even in its name, which means “duck farmers” in Spanish.

Balut is said to have originated in southern China before spreading across Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam. Some accounts tell of a Chinese migrant from Fujian who married a woman from Pateros and introduced balut to the community and country.

With abundant produce came the means to celebrate a fiesta.

The beginnings of devotion to Saint Martha in Pateros are likewise uncertain. Local lore recounts that an image of the saint was found in the river during the eighteenth century and soon venerated by residents. Some researchers suggest that the devotion may echo precolonial beliefs in a female deity.

The most famous lore about Saint Martha tells about her appearance in the nineteenth century. According to the story, a large crocodile had been preying on ducks and threatening the town’s livelihood for more than two hundred years ago. Seeking help, the townspeople consulted a friar devoted to Saint Martha, who advised prayers to the saint, recalling her miraculous taming of the dragon-like monster Tarasque in Tarascon, France. After fervent prayers, a warrior was said to have slain the crocodile with a bolo under a full moon, while another version claims that Saint Martha herself subdued or banished the rapacious reptile. In gratitude, the townspeople commissioned an image of the saint standing upon a crocodile, holding a cross and palm frond — an iconography that continues today. She came to be revered as patroness of duck raisers and balut makers.

That devotion remains palpable during the annual feast, which fell on 8 February this year. Preparations begin with the nobenaryo or pagsisiyam, a nine-day period of novena prayers, daily Masses, processions, and related rituals and activities organized by both church and community with support from the local government.