"Adventurous lang talaga ako," TV host Phoemela Baranda said about her decision to join the first Pinoy Fear Factor. In an interview with her after the media junket for six eliminated "participantes" yesterday, January 14, at the 9501 Restaurant in ABS-CBN Compound, Quezon City, the TV Patrol star patroller said that she really wanted to experience the game in Argentina.
"Ano talaga kasi ako, e, adventurous, adrenaline junkie. Of course, sa TV Patrol at The Buzz happy na ako. Pero hinahanap din ng katawan ko 'yong adventure. Kaya sabi ko, ‘Naku, ito na, chance ko na 'to.' Pagdating ko naman doon, sobrang hirap naman pala."
In Argentina, the TV host knew that they'd be doing the same stunts done by other Fear Factor contestants from other countries. She narrated, "Noong nalaman ko na Pinoy Fear Factor, the more na gusto kong sumali. Noong una sabi ko, ‘Wow, Fear Factor. Scary, nakakatakot siya.' 'Tapos noong nalaman ko na Pinoy Fear Factor, ‘Baka madali 'yan.' Pero nalaman ko, Argentina! Same stunts sa nakikita natin sa TV. Kaya siya dinala sa Argentina, it's because naka-rig na pala ang mga stunts doon, naka-ready na."
Aside from the tough stunts, Phoem also learned that the ladies would not be given a special treatment during the competition. "For me, noong una, akala ko iba 'yong babae sa lalaki. Even 'yong gender, wala, babae, lalaki, pantay."
But Phoem didn't think of the no-special-treatment as hindrance in winning the P2 million cash prize and the title El Ultimo Participante. In fact, she was confident that she could do most of the assigned stunts.
Phoem said that it was just unfortunate that the last two stunts before she was eliminated were two of her weaknesses.
"Actually, 'yong stunts na 'yon, nagkasunod na medyo 'yon ang weakness ko. Kumbaga, ilagay mo ako doon sa car na lumilipad, 'tapos ipapasok 'yong kotse tulad ng ginagawa nila ngayon, 'yon ang gustung-gusto kong gawing stunt."
After this experience, would she still join a similar reality show?
She answered, "Gusto ko talagang bumalik. Gusto kong bumalik ng Pilipinas tapos mag-aral mag-swim at mag-bike, 'tapos bumalik doon. Kasi parang naging confident ako na ‘Sige, matapang ako, matapang ako.' Pero kinulang ako sa skills."
TORN BETWEEN ADVENTURE AND TV JOB. Phoem admitted during the interview that when she learned that she qualified to be one of the "participantes," she feared about leaving her hosting job in The Buzz and TV Patrol.
"It actually scared me a bit because I had to leave [TV Patrol] and The Buzz," she related. "Actually, 'yon ang pinakanakakatakot kasi I have to make paalam. Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin kung saan ako pupunta, that's the hardest part. But I believe kasi at that time Pinoy Fear Factor talaga, I really wanted to try and I really wanted to join."
She continued, "Actually, pinagpaalam ko muna bago naman ako... Noong tinanggap ako ng Fear Factor, sinabi ko, ‘Paano 'to?' Kasi, akala ko parang Fear Factor style sa States na isang araw lang 'tapos tapos na. Then, noong nalaman ko lahat ng details—Argentina, one month—doon ako natakot at saka nahiya na iwanan ang trabaho ko."
Phoem didn't deny that this has somehow bothered her while she was in Argentina. However, she clarified that she really wanted to get eliminated to go back to the country right away.
As an eliminated "participante," the showbiz talk show host revealed that she didn't get any consolation prize. In fact, she said, "Kung natalo ka, siyempre talo ka talaga. Wala talaga."
Despite this, Phoem was still thankful that she was part of the show because it gave her added exposure. She said, 'Yong mga nangyayari sa amin ngayon, ang dami kong nakukuhang work because nagkaroon ako ng recognition talaga, ‘O sumali sa Fear Factor 'yan.' Sa mga hosting, ang title ko Star Patroller, The Buzz, and Fear Factor participante."
She even added later, "After doing it, it really helped me also. Paglabas ko sa [Pinoy Fear Factor] they really recognized me, ‘Sa Pinoy Fear Factor ka rin, ang galing mo pala at matapang ka rin pala'. So, it really gave me a lot of compliments. And I hope it will help me more in the future kasi talagang iba rin 'yong experience. Iba rin talaga 'yong opportunity."
NO WEDDING PLANS. When she was chosen to become a participate, Phoem had to it a secret, except for some of her close relatives like her parents. Of course, she also informed her four-year boyfriend Ira Cruz, guitarist of local band Bamboo, about Pinoy Fear Factor.
Phoem said that Ira did not question her participation in reality show. Her mom worried about her safety.
"Pinayagan naman niya ako," Phoem said. "Hindi naman nakikialam with regard sa career ko. Ang sabi lang niya, ‘Kaya mo ba 'yon?' Mommy ko naman, nagwo-worry baka mamaya ano ang mangyari sa akin. Pero siyempre, sabi ko hindi ko naman papasukin 'yon kung hindi ko kaya. Si Ira naman is very supportive."
Regarding her romantic relationship with Ira Cruz, Phoem was asked if they have plans to settle down. "Wala pa nga, e," she replied.
Phoem explained that they both agreed to focus first on their career. "'Yon ang pinagkakasundo namin, e. Pareho naming alam na ang dami naming kailangang gawin. Siya, sa career niya, ngayon lang naman talaga sila naghi-hit. Ilang years na rin si Ira naggigitara."
In the end she noted, "For me, nowadays, ang pagpapakasal kasi hindi madali. I have to be really, really sure. Kasi mas mahirap 'yong hindi ka sure 'tapos maghihiwalay kayo."