The town of Sariaya had its simple beginning almost four hundred years ago in a place near the sea, what is now called the Barangay of Castañas. The first inhabitants of the place where the hardy and brown fishermen and who upon the arrival of the Franciscan Friars were the first converts. With the help of the early inhabitants, who are mostly fishermen, the Franciscan Missionaries were able to build a church, entrusted under the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi. Because the fishing village was often attacked by the Moros, the people moved northward of Castañas and settled in this place. About three kilometres from this second site, the people once again settled in another place which at present bear the name known as Barangay Tumbaga,also known as Lumang Bayan. A church and convent were erected at Tumbaga as a proof of their religious interest and filial regard to their spiritual mentors, the Franciscan friars.