World Cup unites QF alumni siblings

When the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 concluded on December 18, it left behind many fond memories for the ocean of football fans who enjoyed the 29-day, 32-nation tournament.
For siblings Jemina Legaspi and Jorell Legaspi, Qatar Foundation (QF) alumni, it was the memory of reuniting in Doha to watch the World Cup together, according to a report on QF website.
Jemina and Jorell, who spent the majority of their life in Qatar, graduated from QF partner universities in 2017. While, Jemina completed her Bachelor’s in Communications from Northwestern University in Qatar, Jorell obtained a Master’s in Museums and Gallery Practice from UCL Qatar. Soon after, Jorell moved back to his hometown in the Philippines, and Jemina worked in Qatar for a few more years before moving to England.
As the World Cup began in a country they call their second home, both wanted to reunite in Doha to attend the tournament in-person.
“When I left Doha in 2017, at the back of my mind I always wondered if I should have waited another five years, and whether I would be able to come back for the World Cup,” said Jorell. “Earlier this month, I was visiting Dubai and Cairo for a couple of weeks, and my sister called and said ‘Hey, I’m going to Doha to watch the World Cup’ and I got major FOMO (fear of missing out). My schedule was swamped but I told my sister I wanted to join.
“It was a super quick reunion. She lives further away from me now because I'm in Manila and she's in Bristol, England. But the beauty of it is that Doha is the central hub. And I love seeing my sister, so I was just happy that she was able to organise this and make this happen,” noted, Jorell.
Jemina recalls feeling amazed experiencing the World Cup finally take place, given all the challenges Qatar faced leading up to the tournament, including the global Covid-19 pandemic.
While working at the Doha-based production company The Film House, one of Jemina’s biggest projects was producing a short film that inaugurated the Education City Stadium virtually after an in-person opening ceremony was made impossible by the pandemic.
“It was crazy because it was in the middle of the pandemic. It was a different kind of production for me in the sense that I had to really make sure that everyone was safe, but it was really nice that I got to be part of a reveal of one of the stadiums for the World Cup,” said, Jemina.
“It's just a bit surreal to think that the World Cup – something I used to watch on TV religiously – is actually happening in a country where I grew up, and then I helped with one of the stadiums! And it's right where all the universities are where I studied! It's just hard to put it all into words!”
Jemina and Jorell’s parents also worked in Qatar for a big part of their lives. Jorell now works as the deputy director-general for museums at the National Museum of the Philippines, and tried to visit several art installations and exhibitions in Qatar during his short visit to Doha.
Jorell attended the Germany vs Costa Rica match at Al Bayt Stadium, which means “the home” in English. “For me, it was kind of symbolic that I got to watch my first World Cup match in a stadium that reminds me of ‘home’, reminds me of Doha and the familiar warmth of Arabian hospitality. It was a fantastic experience,” he said.
Jorell and Jemina both credit their years in Doha, including their time as students at QF, for giving them an “international and intercultural” experience.
“I think Jemina’s and my experiences are examples of how a sporting event of this magnitude can open an opportunity to connect people from different parts of the world. And, in our example, reunite a brother and sister who just happen to love Doha and love football,” added Jorell.