One of the most low-key and long-lived eateries in Makati’s central business district is the humble ‘jolly jeep’ known as SisigSaRada, which, as you can tell from the name, is located inside Rada Street. But who is this “Rada” the road is named after? To answer that, we travel four and a half centuries back in time. What can the story of Fray Martin de Rada tell us about the early history of Christianity in the Philippines?

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References:

Sitoy, T. Valentino Jr. (1985). A History of Christianity in the Philippines: The Initial Encounter, Volume 1. New Day Publishers.

“An ordinance prescribing rules and regulations for the operations of mobile-canteens in Makati City…”, City Ordinance No. 2002-07 (2002).

Tikim TV (2023). Sisig Sa Rada Story | Legendary Jolly Jeep in Makati | Filipino Street Food Icon | Tikim TV. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DAU-Qig-SI

Macdonald, Charles J-H (2004). “Folk Catholicism and Pre-Spanish Religions in the Philippines.” Philippine Studies, 52(1), pp. 78-93.

Macdonald, Charles J-H (2012). "Cleansing the Earth: The Pänggaris Ceremony in Palawan," Philippine Studies, 45(3).

Jocano, F. Lando (1968). “Notes on Philippine Divinities.” Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, 6(2).

Bulatao, Jaime (1965). “Split-level Christianity.” Philippine Sociological Review, 13(2), pp. 119-121.

“4364 Martin de Rada.” AugNet.net. http://www.augnet.org/en/history/people/4364-martin-de-rada/

Ocampo, Ambeth (6 December 2023). “To See and Notice.” Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://opinion.inquirer.net/168776/to-see-and-notice