Farewell to phobia

WITH Halloween just around the corner, it is hard to spare oneself from the sight of jack-o-lanterns and glow-in-the-dark skeletons all over the place, not to mention the string of horror movies playing one after the other on television. For the faint-hearted, these could be enough reasons to go on voluntary house arrest until the season is over.

Indeed, fears can be binding but only if one allows them to be. Whether it’s a fear of creepy-crawlies or of talking in front of a crowd, it is never impossible to surmount it—as these four have done:

Matthew Basabe
2012 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines-Central Visayas awardee

“Who would imagine that I used to be super scared to be in front of a crowd? Well, my parents were witnesses. Back in the first grade, I was in a science school where everyone was expected to be confident, and I was the most hesitant. I always got jittery and sweated a lot when I was faced with an audience. Eventually, I got to self-actualize: Why in the world could most of my mates have self-confidence while I remained ashamed?

My parents noticed this problem and indulged me in activities that required me to talk in a crowd. Through step-by-step solutions, my parents and I slowly overcame my stage fright. Then at the age of 10, I started flying around the country, representing my school in various contests. Eventually, I became student body president in college and was even part of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Always believe that everything can be learned and overcome.”

Arrabelle Balahadia
Law student

“I fear apathy. I fear a life lived not for others. I fear reality compelling me to embrace (the idea) that injustice is so embedded in the system that there’s no hope for our country.

Being a servant-leader is my way of overcoming that fear. Currently, I’m enrolled in one of the best law schools in the country, which prides itself not only for excellence but also the importance it gives community extension service. Years from now, I hope not only to be a good lawyer but also one who’s a champion of people’s rights and welfare.”

Nath Ybañez
Creative director

“When I was younger, people called me a very shy person. I talked to only a small circle of friends and I mostly kept to myself at school. But no one really knew that I was plagued by self-doubt and social anxiety. I was not able to express myself. In fact, I feared it.

But as I grew up, I realized that that fear was holding me back from what I loved to do—creating things alongside other people. It did not take a day to get rid of this fear; I took it on slowly step by step—through utter curiosity.

When you fear something, it creates boundaries. Curiosity, on the other hand, is filled with anticipation and enthusiasm—qualities that opened me up to many things. I started socializing and speaking out ideas freely with confidence, without that fear and self-doubt pulling me again. And over time it has become a part of me.”

Chloe Palang
Ms. Cebu 2012 first runner-up

“I have always felt strongly about uncertainty. Most of the time, I have a Plan B to protect myself if expectations aren’t met. I am seldom bruised by a mishap because my mind has gone through this sort of brainwashing.

When I decided to join the Ms. Cebu 2012, I had my mind set that I was going to make it. But on that pageant night, all else, past and future, was pitch-black to me. I couldn’t make out the applause—was it for me or for something else? What would happen? What would people think?

When I finally heard my name called as part of the top five, I realized that risks don’t have to be calculated all the time. There are some choices we gamble on because we know that the feeling of elation, when all of it is over, makes all the uncertainty very well worth it.”