Bayanihan and Kapwa: toward a Filipino framework for migrant health ethics

Bayanihan, commonly understood as the spirit of cooperation with the kapwa (shared identity), is often attributed as a distinctly Filipino trait that motivates altruistic and ethical actions. Despite this popular image, a lacuna exists in understanding how this concept applies to foreign migrants residing in the Philippines. In this paper, we aim to explore the identified gap and, in turn, propose a normative framework for migration health ethics grounded in the Filipino philosophical concepts of bayanihan and kapwa, arguing that these concepts offer an interesting alternative to the dominant theories and policies on migration. To accomplish this aim, we begin with a discussion of the conceptual foundation of migration health ethics. Afterwards, we situate bayanihan and kapwa, highlighting their ethical significance as well as their limitations and possible misuses. Finally, we propose how theseFilipino concepts can guide the development of an equitable and inclusive framework for migration health ethics in the Philippines.