José R. Francia

Biography

José R. Francia is credited on this site with Hindi Biro!... ó Ang Anting-Anting, the book by him in the catalogue. The Wikipedia articles checked for this page, in English, Tagalog and Spanish, have no entry for him, so the dates, birthplace and career of this writer are not known from any source used here, and this page does not guess at them.

The title explains the subject. Anting-anting, also called agimat, is a Filipino word for an amulet or charm, and it names a wider system of folk magic built around such charms, in which the wearer is believed to be protected from harm. Hindi biro means 'no joke' in Tagalog, so the title is a playful warning that its subject is not to be taken lightly.

The book itself is the place to start for anyone who wants to know more. Corrections to anything said here, especially about the writer's life, are welcome through the Report an error button on this page.

This biography was written by a language model without a source; treat details with care.

Books

1. Hindi Biro!... ó Ang Anting-Anting

   by José R. Francia

   Juan Hanipol, a young man with a weakness for charms and spells, goes to serve old Tacio Kabal in the hope of inheriting his secrets. Midnight vigils under a camachile tree, prayers in mock Latin and a promise of invisibility lead him into one embarrassing scrape after another.…

   Summary written by Claude Opus 5.5.