Leila feels warmth, love in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — It was in Manila when Leila Barros saw a glimpse of her future more than two decades ago.

The message read, “Leila President.”

“I remembered those signs from people ‘Leila for president,’ ‘Leila marry me,’” said Barros during yesterday’s media briefer at the MOA Arena. “It felt as if they could see the future that someday I would become senator.”

“Very surprised that even after so many years, I still get a lot of love from fans,” she added.

After hanging up her jersey, Barros entered politics and was elected as senator in 2018.

If the stars align and destiny allows it, she too could end up as president.

Barros, who will turn 54 on Tuesday, said becoming a public servant helped her open more doors especially to women in Brazil.

“I’m the first woman athlete to become a senator in Brazil. Because of my position, I’m able to improve a lot of things particularly for women in sports,” she said. “Women have the right to be pregnant, become mothers, and I’m able to support projects regarding this.”

“Women’s spots are evolving,” she added.

Barros also believed sports help people become good human beings.

“Ever since, I always knew that as soon as I ended my career in sports, I would help give opportunity to young athletes to have access to sports because sports not only creates good athletes but it also creates good citizens, it helps young people,” she said.

Like what the other sign stated, Barros did get married – to an Olympian beach volley athlete named Emanuel Regos with whom she has a son.