A Filipino volleyball fan who has followed Leila Barros since her playing days shared the pride she feels in continuing to support the Brazilian icon more than two decades later.
Maan Guevarra, who went straight to the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday morning after her night shift, finally reunited with her long-time volleyball idol 21 years after they first crossed paths at a hotel in Manila.
“So nagkaroon kami ng chance ng mom po to watch it [FIVB Grand Prix] sa Ultra that time. So ever since nun, kapag may grand prix, may leg dito sa Philippines, we watch. And so happens na talagang Brazil team kami and Leila is actually my favorite ever since,” said Guevarra.
Barros, now in the Philippines for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, first made her mark here during the 2000 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, where her skill and charisma quickly won the hearts of local fans.
She returned briefly in 2004 before focusing on life beyond the court, eventually building a career in public service.
Now a senator in Brazil, Barros has embraced advocacies centered on women, sports, and the environment. Her journey from athlete to lawmaker has only deepened the admiration of Filipino supporters, including Guevarra, who once cheered for her inside packed arenas.
Supporting Barros all these years has meant standing behind someone who not only excelled in sport but also chose to use her platform to fight for causes that matter, making her supporters proud to call her their long-time idol.
“Kumbaga, doon mo naman yung mapagyayabang na hindi lang siya gut feels that you cheered for the right person. So hindi lang pala yung dito lang talagang isip, salita at gawa,” Guevarra said.
Guevarra shared a special moment with Barros after the press conference, when the two-time Olympian signed a photograph of them taken together back in 2004.
“Year 2000 yung last, tapos nagka-break, bumalik siya 2004 na. ‘Yun yung mahaba na yung hair niya. So masarap yung feeling kasi akala namin hindi na babalik at all,” she said of the moment, recalling how she went to the hotel just to get a glimpse of Barros.
Being a supporter of the 53-year-old former volleyball star has not only brought pride to Guevarra but also lifelong friendships, as the people she met more than two decades ago remain close to her to this day.
“Like I mentioned, yung friends that I met during that time until now friends ko. So we’ve been friends for 25 years already. So sobrang treasured [ko] kasi kahit we’ve gone different directions,” she shared.
“Pag sinabing Leila, buhay yung chatroom. Yung gano’n, yung dahil siya, for some reason siya nagpapalik sa’yo.”
Indeed, it was a full-circle moment for Guevarra.
From cheering for Barros inside the Philsports Arena more than two decades ago to watching her transform into a dedicated public servant, Guevarra takes pride in knowing she has stood by someone whose influence extends far beyond the volleyball court.
“Wife na siya and a mom. So sobrang thankful like what I said to her a while ago. Thank you so much for coming back even though just for a short while.”
