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Each year, a group of Filipino villagers cover themselves with mud and pray to Saint John the Baptist.

<p>A man assists his fellow devotee for the early morning preparation of the "Taong Putik" festival on June 24, 2013, in Aliaga, a town north of Manila, Philippines. The historically significant religious festival is based on paying homage to patron saint John the Baptist.</p>

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One of the strongest tropical cyclones ever to hit the Philippines has left massive destruction in its wake.

A truck passes among dead coconut trees destroyed by Typhoon Bopha. The typhoon, which hit on December 4, has caused major damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the southern Philippines.

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On a day the government and rebels signed a peace deal, Global News Insight showcases pictures from war-ravaged Mindanao island.

A group of children play with a Muslim rebel during a lull in fighting inside the rebel(***)s Camp Darapanan on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.

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