She's in the coffin, but we have to go home together

Filipino oversea workers Jass and Jess grew into an intimate same-sex relationship when the two domestic helpers started working in Hong Kong and Macau many years ago, as the two wanted to earn an extra living by flying to the former Portuguese colony. Over the years, they resisted fierce objections from their religious families and the traditional conventions in The Philippines over their mutual love. But when Covid-19 shocked the world, the 10-year-relationship came to an end after Jess fell victim of the coronavirus and later died of diabetic complications in Macau in 2022. But Jass's love for Jess has always been a life-long commitment, overwhelming love. It never dies. Jass became the only person to handle Jess's death registration, coffins, memorial services, air fare and more before she sent her her back to the Philippines for funeral, on a lonely journey without family or relative support. Despite receiving little salary, having to settle expensive bills for Jess, and getting no emotional supports from Jess's family and relatives, however, Jass in late March sustained the enduring painful journey from Macau through Manila to Davao, fulfilling the promise she made for her partner when she was alive: send her back to the Philippines after Jess's passing, bury her, and do not cremate her corpse because Jess is afraid of fire. The 22-year-old Asian photographer revealed what love really is for filipino oversea workers and how it empowers people to go through tough times, as he travelled with Jass all the way from Macau to the Southeast Asian country back in march 2023.