Despite COVID-19, Taong Putik festival pushes through | ABS-CBN
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Despite COVID-19, Taong Putik festival pushes through
Despite COVID-19, Taong Putik festival pushes through
Photos and text by George Calvelo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 25, 2021 12:03 AM PHT

A few minutes before the break of dawn Thursday, residents wearing dried banana leaves covered with mud can already be seen walking down the streets of Barangay Bibiclat in the town of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
A few minutes before the break of dawn Thursday, residents wearing dried banana leaves covered with mud can already be seen walking down the streets of Barangay Bibiclat in the town of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
The image of the locals emerging from complete darkness covered in mud was like a scene straight out of a horror flick when seen from afar. However, the reason for the procession is much more inspired. The townsfolk are celebrating the Taong Putik Festival and mark the Feast of St. John the Baptist.
The image of the locals emerging from complete darkness covered in mud was like a scene straight out of a horror flick when seen from afar. However, the reason for the procession is much more inspired. The townsfolk are celebrating the Taong Putik Festival and mark the Feast of St. John the Baptist.
Some residents say the activity is a reenactment of how sudden heavy rainfall stopped the execution of a few Filipino men and were set free by the Japanese during their occupation in World War II. The men danced in celebration under the rain and attributed the miracle to St. John the Baptist, which started the tradition.
Some residents say the activity is a reenactment of how sudden heavy rainfall stopped the execution of a few Filipino men and were set free by the Japanese during their occupation in World War II. The men danced in celebration under the rain and attributed the miracle to St. John the Baptist, which started the tradition.
The annual Taong Putik festival is well known in the province as locals and a few devotees from different provinces religiously flock and take part in the rituals.
The annual Taong Putik festival is well known in the province as locals and a few devotees from different provinces religiously flock and take part in the rituals.
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This is the second year the festival was held under the threat of COVID-19 with devotees encouraged to stay put in their front yards to wait for the parish priest roaming the community blessing them with holy water.
This is the second year the festival was held under the threat of COVID-19 with devotees encouraged to stay put in their front yards to wait for the parish priest roaming the community blessing them with holy water.
Here are some scenes from the festival:
Here are some scenes from the festival:
Read More:
Taong Putik Festival
Nueva Ecija
Brgy. Bibiclat
Feast of St John the Baptist
Taong Putik
multimedia
multimedia slideshow
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