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 Tomball News
The Taong Putik festival, with its unique blend of mud and faith, may seem like a distant phenomenon to Tomball residents, but it speaks to the universal human desire for connection with a higher power and community. In Tomball, where community events and festivals are a staple of the city's culture, the story of the Mud People festival resonates with the importance of preserving traditions and cultural heritage. The fact that the festival has grown in popularity over the years, with up to 3,000 participants, suggests that people are drawn to authentic expressions of faith and community. As Tomball continues to grow and evolve, it's worth considering how the city can support and celebrate its own unique cultural traditions, and how events like the Tomball German Fest and other community gatherings contribute to the city's sense of identity and belonging.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball 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 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 Tomball News 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 Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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