Aaron Favila, Author at Crux

Catholics covered in mud and dried banana leaves join the mud people festival on the feast day of Saint John the Baptist at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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

by Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila June 24, 2026

Melencio Neuda, center, and other devotees who participated in the mud people festival raise their hands during a mass on the feast day of Saint John the Baptist at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Credit: Aaron Favila/AP.)

Photos show Philippine Catholics smearing mud on their bodies for festival honoring John the Baptist

by Aaron Favila June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

Filipino devotees reenact Good Friday crucifixion

by Aaron Favila March 30, 2018

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