For a while, it felt like the 2000s again with Leila Barros back in Manila.
It was 25 years ago when Leila Barros first captured the hearts of Filipino fans while representing Brazil during the 2000 FIVB World Grand Prix in Manila.
Bringing a mix of telenovela looks and elite volleyball skills, Barros was an instant crowd darling throughout the tourney held at the ULTRA, or the Philsports Arena. The lefty hitter’s charm was so infectious that supporters even brought banners that read “Leila, will you marry me?” and “Leila, will you be my princess?” among many others.
Leila finally made her long-awaited return to the Philippines, not as a player, but as a special guest for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship. Gone was her iconic bob, and she has since shifted into politics. Still, the love remains as strong as ever for one of Philippine volleyball’s first-ever fan-favorites.
“I am very grateful to be back here in the Philippines after 25 years, and I am very happy since I remember the memories from my time here,” Barros, now a senator, said through a translator during her media meet and greet on Saturday, September 27.
Barros led Brazil to a bronze medal during the 2000 World Grand Prix at the ULTRA, and was the Best Opposite Spiker in that year’s staging. She and the Canarinhas would make their return to Manila in 2004 during the second round of that year’s World Grand Prix.
Volleyball in the Philippines has grown by leaps and bounds since Barros was last here, with the sport only rivalling basketball as the most popular sport in the country. If anything, this huge growth in Philippine volleyball is what makes Barros’ return much more special.
“It’s been years since I was last in the Philippines, and I have been missing it a lot. But I thought it was the right moment since volleyball is growing here,” Barros said. “And I want to congratulate the federation of the Philippines for this World Championship, which is amazing.”
New era, same love
Saturday’s meet and greet also allowed some of Leila Barros’ fans to reunite with the Brazilian icon — a part of the event that highlighted her lasting impact on the Filipino fanbase. Apart from getting up close and personal with the icon, these fans also took some of their archive magazines and photos in the hopes of getting Barros’ autograph.
One of these fans is Maan Guevarra, who brought a clear book filled with newspaper clippings of Leila during the World Grand Prix, as well as her personal photos of the Brazilian star playing at the ULTRA. For her, getting to see Barros up close is a core memory, as she never imagined that she would return to Manila after all these years.
“Masaya po kasi noong time na ‘yun nung pinapanood namin sila, siya specifically. ‘Yung grit niya to win, ‘yung passion niya during playing,” said Maan, who was a high school student when she first saw Barros in action. “May skills na nga ‘yung tao, ang galing na nga niya mag-volleyball, tas naeenganyo mo pa ‘yung buong arena. Parang, basta, ang sarap niyang panoorin.”
Like Maan, the trio of Karen Posadas, Irene Bartolome, and Gladyline Alvero were among the Filipino fans who fell in love with Leila Barros 25 years ago. As with their fellow fan, the three fans had already lost hope that Barros would return to the country one day, only to be caught by surprise by her visit for the World Championship.
“Ako rin, sa 2000 [World Grand Prix], nanonood lang ako sa TV, tapos twelve years old lang ako noon,” recalled Gladilyne. “Tapos I lost hope actually of finally meeting her kasi parang back then, I was twelve years old and hindi kami nakarating ng Philsports Arena. Pero finally, after 25 years, nakita namin siya.”
“Para nga siyang childhood dream for me eh, kasi hindi ko na siya inashan. Twenty-five years ago na ‘yun tapos nag-retire na siya sa volleyball, nawalan na kami ng pag-asa, pero bumalik siya sa Pilipinas, so nakakataba ng puso as a fan. Fan girl dream fulfilled!” added Gladyline, with Irene sharing similar thoughts.
Karen also pointed out Barros’ natural charisma during her playing years, which was key to capturing the Filipino fanbase’s heart back in 2000.
“Sobrang love talaga siya ng Filipinos 2000 pa lang, and then eventually, pinapanood ko na siya sa TV noong Sydney Olympics. Tapos bumalik siya ng 2004, dun ko siya napanood sa ULTRA pa nga noon.”
The feeling’s mutual
For Leila Barros, the fan reception she received two decades ago remains a core memory — from the loud cheers she received at the ULTRA, to some fan banners that even wanted her elected as Philippine president.
“It was funny because when I was here, you guys had signs saying ‘Leila for president!’,” Barros said while receiving cheers from her fans in the meet and greet. “Because it felt like they predicted the future that she would become a senator for Brazil!”
“I believe it was a reciprocal relationship, since the first moment I stepped here in the Philippines; at the gym, the airport, at the stadiums, my relationship with the people was a very honest one, and I feel very happy and comforted.”
Barros said that Filipino fans are passionate enough to rival her native Brazil in terms of passion and support.
“I would like to thank the Philippine senators, the federation, and most especially the Filipino fans. Second only to Brazil, this is a place where I always feel like I am the best in the world.”
Leila Barros also left a message for the Alas Pilipinas national team, as she believes that the country has what it takes to become a volleyball powerhouse in the long run.
“I see the potential for Philippine volleyball, and there is support from the country and the federation. What’s most important now is for the country to invest in their young athletes, especially since there is no shortcut for results.
Banner images courtesy of the PNVF.