"Martín de Rada in the Spanish Philippines: Intercontinental Narratives Across Contemporary Political Institutions of the Spanish Empire."

Abstract: Recent scholarship recognizes Martín de Rada as a modern missionary who significantly influenced colonial enterprises and advocated for the rights of indigenous Filipinos. This article aims to advance this discussion by positing that Rada’s role was more extensive than previously acknowledged. Not only did he actively engage with royal inquiries at the imperial level, but he also took the position of transmitter-receiver among the first Spanish transoceanic political institutions of the time. Additionally, Rada played a pioneering role in incorporating Chinese epistemes into Spanish narratives and perceptions of China, predating notable cultural brokers such as Juan Cobo and Matteo Ricci.