Looking back at their Pinoy Fear Factor days

To conquer one’s fear is a sign of bravery. But sometimes no amount of guts and physical strength seems to be enough when you come face to face with dangers that bring more fears. This, six out of the 12 participantes of ABS-CBN’s reality show Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America found out when they were recently eliminated one after the other for inability to perform the real “physical and mental torture” stunt. They, too, lost the chance for the P2-M prize and the title El Ultimo Participante.

Though empty handed, they went back home with unforgettable experiences, lessons learned in a short but meaningful time, new friends and renewed confidence.

Except for LJ Moreno, the sixth eliminado now vacationing in the US, Phoemela Baranda, Gail Nicolas, Ram Sagad, Jose Sarasola and Elmer Felix look back into their “most fearing” days with a hint of regret (for panicking), tone of fondness (for surpassing other challenges) and sign of wisdom (for picking up a pointer or two). They also share some thoughts on the remaining half of the contestants.

Phoemela, 27 — The Star Patroller really wanted to try something different although initially she had second thoughts about joining because it might be a deterrent to her career. She talked to people concerned, to her loved ones and then followed her heart’s desire. Together with 11 other participantes, they agreed to cut their communication line off upon leaving the country, one reason for her boyfriend Ira Cruz to miss her much.     

The freezing weather greeted them upon setting foot in Argentina yet Phoem tried hard to overcome her weakness and took the initial set of daring stunts. But fear has many eyes and a pair of them lets her see the horrible thing that may happen while inside a tank of water with several snakes accompanying her. Thus, she conceded to her lost in the third round. “My (short) stint had given me a lot of good. I proved to myself that somehow matapang din pala ako because when some people see me now in malls they will tell me how brave I am. It’s a nice feeling.” She even learned to appreciate the simplest things back home. And though she fails to bring home the bacon, the worthy experience is tantamount to winning in the game. Of the remaining contestants, Phoem thinks Manuel deserves the title not just for his physical abilities but for his mental alertness as well.

Gail, 25 — The Bikini Summit 2007 winner loves competition and prepared physically to perform the stunts but she didn’t expect them to be that grueling. She was the first to be eliminated after losing to Elmer and Marion dela Cruz in Stunt 3 called Escape de Auto Sub Acuatica. “Though I took it (stunt) longer, I’m happy I was able to do it.” She furthers, “You cannot compare real- life challenges here because we have time to think and plan on what to do. On Fear Factor, you have to be fast, too.” She roots for Janna Dominguez as she believes in girl power. The reality show paved the way for Gail to become a familiar face on TV aside from her stint on the recently-concluded Dyosa.

Elmer, 25 — The veterinary doctor is in his Pampanga clinic again after he panicked in the Houdini challenge and failed to hold his breath for three seconds more to beat LJ’s record of 11 seconds. “I felt the plastic that was wrapped around me is getting tighter and tighter at that time that’s why I accidentally opened my mouth kaya di ko na natagalan. I can do it if that didn’t happen.” Elmer relates he joined the show to prove that vets can also live up to challenges. “Kasi sabi nila lampa kaming mga vet.” He, too, never gives up easily like when he unfortunately swallowed a cockroach in one challenge. Still, he is thankful for being a participante as he gained more confidence and an instant recognition from people. His clinic, too, has become crowded as clients keep coming for their pets’ check up. “My sales in pet care have also increased.” Elmer deems stevedore RJ Calipus, Jr. to be the rightful winner as he gives his best in every stunt. “And he needs the money the most.”

Ram, 23 — He was the second contestant to bid the show goodbye when he lost his grip and fell on the water in the Acrobatica En Helicoptero challenge. But the former cager has succeeded in brushing off his fear of heights while clinging on to the helicopter that swayed and whirled above the Argentine waters. This time, he wants to try his luck in showbiz through auditioning on TV and in movie projects. He, too, is attending workshops on ABS-CBN. Like Elmer, Ram wants RJ to win the title. “RJ is doing everything for his family.”

Jose, 22 — Early and provident fear is the mother of safety. This, perhaps the leader of the Bomb Squad was thinking when he took the snake bites as a sign for him to stop in the game. “I was bitten two times. What if I will continue and those snakes attack me again it might be serious na.” The fourth eliminado also relates how he misses his new friends when he returned in Manila. As an only child it was only during his stint on Fear Factor that he experienced how to share a bathroom with someone. “And initially strangers talaga kami to each other but lately we hit it off well. Now I realized how fun it is to be to have a sibling” He is now concentrating on his HRM studies and plans to put up a restaurant after graduation. “I always want to do something new so I won’t mind trying my luck in showbiz.”