History Trivia
- The First fiesta was held in January 1, 1948 after
the chapel, damaged during World War II was renovated.
- The first kapitana during the procession was the
late Urbana dela Cruz while the first Pangulo of the
committee de fistejos was the late Eulogio Gagui. It
was very festive and everybody worked as one body. The katandaan
was supported by the kabataan. Everybody wearing their postwar
best processing and dancing along the streets for the 3 sitios of
Frances (sitio 3 being the now Frances Bukid).
- Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo is always loved by
Filipinos no matter how hard it is to wake up at early dawn and since
there was no means of transportation they had to walk all the way to the Church.
Some devout people of Frances would wake up at 2 am and start walking to town to
attend mass at 4 AM in the big church (the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist).
The church was full and the children were just sitting on cold floor
falling asleep since they don't understand the Latin mass.
This gave Bob Barrett an idea, he said we at Frances celebrate
the New Year while our chapel is quiet on Christmas Eve. So he
requested Inang Candeng (Candida Sambilay) to ask the parish
priest, Rev. Fr Pastor Luciano, RIP( who willingly granted) to
holdthe Misa de Aguinaldo in barangay Frances. This was the first
Christmasmas Eve mass held in any of the barrios of St John the Baptist
parish. Later on, it was not just only Christmas eve but the whole nine
days was celebrated in 1956. Bob initially sponsored all the masses
until the love for the Eucharist was instilled in the hearts of the
people and sponsors came volunteering, more than what was was needed.
At the time more than. one sponsor was not allowed yet.. Eventually, the weekly
masses was granted us every Sunday at 9 AM.
