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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Y. Joeal Calupitian,Aaron Favila and María Teresa Hernández

Philippine devotees honor St. John the Baptist with a mud-covered display of faith

APTOPIX Philippines Mud Festival - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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 in Asia’s largest Catholic nation as devotees thank the local patron saint for miracles and fulfill vows made in prayer.

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