Camille Naredo

Volleyball legend Leila Barros takes photos with her fans during her media meet and greet at the sidelines of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News

Volleyball legend Leila Barros takes photos with her fans during her media meet and greet at the sidelines of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

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FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758957337302viber_image_2025-09-27_15-04-01-277.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Volleyball legend Leila Barros takes photos with her fans during her media meet and greet at the sidelines of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News"/>Volleyball legend Leila Barros takes photos with her fans during her media meet and greet at the sidelines of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Brazilian sports icon Leila Barros was swept in a wave of nostalgia on Saturday, as she made her return to the Philippines to be the guest of honor at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship.Barros looked back to her first visits in Manila two decades ago, when Filipino fans made banners bearing the words &quot;Leila for President&quot; and &quot;Leila Marry Me.&quot;The Brazilian senator first enchanted Pinoys at the 2000 FIVB World Grand Prix, and she was once again the darling of the crowd at the 2004 Samsung FIVB World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball, held in the capital region.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/26/volleyball-icon-leila-barros-arrives-in-ph-for-fivb-men-s-world-championship-1835">READ: Volleyball icon Leila Barros arrives in PH for FIVB Men&#x27;s World Championship</a></div>She is widely credited for helping boost the popularity of volleyball here in the country.&quot;It’s funny that when I was here, people were having signs saying &#x27;Leila for President&#x27; [and Leila, Marry Me], and it sounds like they could see the future that I will actually become a senator for Brazil,&quot; said Barros through a translator during her media meet and greet at the Mall of Asia Arena.&quot;The memory that stands out the most is the natural empathy I felt as soon as I entered the stadium with Filipino people,&quot; Barros added, relayed through the translator.Barros felt like this was the &quot;right time&quot; to be back here, as the &quot;longing really hit.&quot;&quot;In fact, for years, I’ve been receiving invitations to come to the Philippines. Then the longing really hit. I thought it was the right time to come to the Philippines, because I believe this is the moment when Filipino volleyball is growing,&quot; she said in a separate interview.Years later, Barros said she&#x27;s still getting the love she had from her Asian and Pinoy supporters.&quot;...Very surprised that it’s been [21] years since and still on social media, I am getting a lot of love from Asian and Filipino fans.&quot;Now, she&#x27;s working as a senator in her own country, pursuing growth and development for women and sports.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/12/18/look-volleyball-icon-leila-barros-now-senator-shows-endearing-side-during-campaign">READ: LOOK: Volleyball icon Leila Barros, now senator, shows endearing side during campaign</a></div>&quot;I am extremely happy to be here. My life has changed a lot ever since. I am now a senator in Brazil,&quot; Barros said. &quot;In seven years, I have worked for the environment, for women, and now I&#x27;m is a senator for the federal government and the president of the commission of sports.&quot;As the tournament&#x27;s guest of honor, Barros looks forward to the competition that the world championship could showcase.&quot;I am coming back to Brazil tomorrow, but I want to do my best to enjoy everything. And you all, enjoy the best volleyball and may the best team win.&quot;At the same press conference, the crowd sang happy birthday to the darling of the press, who will turn a year older on Tuesday, September 30.

Leila Barros still remembers the "Leila for President" and "Leila Marry Me" banners back then 🥹 #MWCH2025

Leila Barros still remembers the "Leila for President" and "Leila Marry Me" banners back then 🥹 #MWCH2025

Nostalgia hits as volleyball icon Leila Barros looks back at memories of Manila

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Nostalgia hits as volleyball icon Leila Barros looks back at memories of Manila

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 27, 2025 02:29 PM PHT

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Updated September 27, 2025 03:15 PM PHT

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