government
Philippine devotees honor St. John the Baptist with a mud-covered display of faith
By Joeal Calupitian, Aaron Favila And María Teresa Hernández, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
Hundreds of Catholic devotees wrapped themselves in dried banana leaves and covered their bodies with mud on Wednesday in the Philippine village of Bibiclat, taking part in a display of faith honoring St. John the Baptist. The Taong Putik, or Mud People, festival is held annually in this village ...
Key takeaway Melencio Nenuda, a 39-year-old construction worker, said the mud-covered parishioners frightened him as a child and he used to hide when they passed by.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
In Piney Point Village , where community events and cultural festivals are a staple, the story of the Taong Putik, or Mud People, festival in the Philippines resonates with locals who value tradition and faith. The annual celebration, which honors St. John the Baptist, showcases the power of devotion and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. Similarly, in Piney Point Village, residents often come together to support local causes and participate in events that promote unity and solidarity. The Mud People festival serves as a reminder that cultural heritage and faith can be a source of strength and inspiration, and it will be interesting to see if similar events or festivals are organized in Piney Point Village, bringing the community closer together and fostering a sense of shared values and traditions. The village's own community events may take on a new significance in light of this unique celebration.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Hundreds of Catholic devotees wrapped themselves in dried banana leaves and covered their bodies with mud on Wednesday in the Philippine village of Bibiclat, taking part in a display of faith honoring St. John the Baptist. The Taong Putik, or Mud People, festival is held annually in this village ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joeal Calupitian, Aaron Favila And María Teresa Hernández, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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