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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· 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 Alamo Heights News
In Alamo Heights , where Catholicism has a significant presence, the story of the Taong Putik festival in the Philippines resonates with the local community's own expressions of faith. The annual festival, which honors St. John the Baptist, showcases the power of tradition and devotion in the lives of its participants. Similarly, in Alamo Heights, residents often come together to celebrate their faith through various events and observances, highlighting the importance of community and spirituality. The fact that the Taong Putik festival has grown in popularity over the years, with up to 3,000 participants, suggests that such events can bring people together and foster a sense of shared purpose. As Alamo Heights continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how local faith communities adapt and express their traditions, potentially drawing inspiration from unique observances like the Taong Putik festival.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News 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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joeal Calupitian, Aaron Favila And María Teresa Hernández, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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