IN PHOTOS: Taong Putik Festival in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

Taong Putik Festival is an annual religious festival in the small village of Bibiclat in the town of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. Held every June 24th, the devotees of Saint John the Baptist pay homage to him on his feast day by wearing costumes patterned to his attire by soaking themselves in mud and cover their body with dried banana leaves to celebrate his feast day.

Candle vendors at St. John the Baptist Parish in Bibiclat #Aliaga #NuevaEcija. Today, they celebrate Taong Putik Festival!

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 1:45pm PDT

It is said that the taong putik goes house to house or ask people for alms in form of candles or money to buy candles which they offer for Saint John the Baptist.

We're here at St. John the Baptist Parish at Brgy. Bibiclat, #Aliaga #NuevaEcija for the annual "Taong Putik Festival" in celebration of the feast day of San Juan Bautista.

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 3:30pm PDT

They then converge at the church to offer the candles and say their prayers.

Good morning from the "Taong Putik Festival" of #Aliaga #NuevaEcija!

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 1:30pm PDT

Devotees are called as "Taong Putik" or "Nag-sa-San Juan" by the town folks of Aliaga because of their effort to imitate Saint John the Baptist by wearing costumes patterned after his attire using native materials.

"Taong Putik Festival 2015" in Brgy. Bibiclat, #Aliaga #NuevaEcija in celebration of the feast day of San Juan Bautista!

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 4:37pm PDT

Young and old.. Rich and poor joined together and celebrated today's feast of Saint John the Baptist with a "Taong Putik Festival" to show their devotion and thanksgiving to San Juan Bautista.

Happening now: Taong Putik Festival 2015 in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 3:36pm PDT

Here are more photos of Taong Putik Festival 2015:

Today's "Taong Putik Festival" in Brgy. Bibiclat in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 5:24pm PDT

At Brgy. Bibiclat, #Aliaga #NuevaEcija for the annual "Taong Putik Festival" in celebration of the feast day of San Juan Bautista.

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 3:32pm PDT

Candles to be offered at "Taong Putik Festival 2015" in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 4:43pm PDT

One of the devotees in today's "Taong Putik Festival" in Brgy. Bibiclat in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 5:32pm PDT

Devotees of St. John the Baptist on their way to the church. #Aliaga #NuevaEcija #TaongPutik #TaongPutikFestival

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 5:52pm PDT

A devotee praying in front of St. John the Baptist Church in today's "Taong Putik Festival" in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija in celebration of the feast of #SanJuanBautista

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 5:42pm PDT

Young and old.. Rich and poor.. Joined today's "Taong Putik Festival" in Brgy. Bibiclat in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija to show their devotion and thanksgiving to San Juan Baustista.

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 5:38pm PDT

#TaongPutikFestival 2015 in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 5:56pm PDT

At 6:00 am, the thanksgiving mass for the devotees started at the St. John the Baptist Parish in Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

At 6AM, the thanksgiving mass for the devotees started at St. John the Baptist Church in Brgy. Bibiclat #Aliaga #NuevaEcija

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 6:00pm PDT

I've been wanting to witness this Taong Putik Festival in Aliaga, NuevaEcija. I am happy to finally see it today in celebration of the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Thank you Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham Cabanatuan and to my friend Rob Pinzon of palibut.com for bringing us in Brgy. Bibiclat. Truly, the Taong Putik Festival is a "one of a kind" festival you should experience once in your life!

I've been wanting to witness the #TaongPutikFestival in #Aliaga #NuevaEcija. I am glad to finally see it today in celebration of the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Thank you @microtelph #Cabanatuan and @robpinzon for bringing us in Brgy. Bibiclat. ❤️ Truly, a "one of a kind" festival! 👍👍

A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2015 at 6:10pm PDT

The mass was followed with a procession of the image of Saint John the Baptist.

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