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In 1800 when Pagalangan church was thought to be relocated, a hacienda in Pila owned by the Relovas was considered. It was
a farmland with different kinds of trees. An old farmer, named Mang Kiko who was tending lots of cows and carabaos lived there.
During harvest time, he allowed such animals to wander around.
One day he saw the animals seemingly having a meeting near the river. At first he didn’t mind it; however, when same
thing happened again he went to see what was going on there. He saw a statue immersed in the mud and took it home. One day
burglars broke in his house. He was so sick then and he was in bed. The thieves were all very hungry. They asked him to cook
rice for them not minding his condition. They left for a bath in the river, with an order, to see to it that the rice was
ready when they come back or he would be mauled.
Feeling so bad he rose up and followed as they ordered. He placed a certain type of leaf underneath the rice he was cooking
then, hid himself in a place where he could see anyone who would come in the house. When the burglars came they tried to take
the pot of rice from the fire. They were surprise to see the pot jumping up whenever they tried to take it with sticks from
the fire. Thought they were frightened due to hunger they felt, they begged the old to come out. Seeing kindness in their
faces while begging, Mang Kiko showed up and feed them. They thanked him. While they were walking they thought and agreed
that Mang Kiko was a saint.
Many heard about it. People from Batangas, Alaminos and Tanauan visited Mang Kiko and decided to live there. When he died
they took the saint that Mang Kiko was keeping in the house. They built a chapel and named it San Francisco, their patron
Saint.
From then on, the place where they lived was called San Francisco in honor of Mang Kiko. The people had a good relationship.
They helped one another particularly in building the house of those who would be married. Almost in all occasions, they would
be seen helping one another. They were very courteous to visitors. One could see it especially during fiesta.
Also, they were good in “Duplo”- sopo- kalumbibit; guryon balikbora and dama were their common games.
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