Charmaine AchaWhat’s your greatest fear? I believe everyone has fears, though different in degree of severity. Some people (like me) are just extremely fearful of something and cannot function well when prompted with the situation. Well, let me tell you this — behavioural studies have shown that exposing (or even flooding) yourself with the object of your fear actually helps you conquer the dysfunction. So why am I telling you this? Because I’d like to share some travel-related phobias and how to overcome them in the Philippines. Yes, some places in my beloved country are indeed therapeutic. Read on!
Also read: The Ultimate Filipino Traveller’s Bucket List: 101 Challenges You Need to Complete
Where to conquer your travel-related phobias in the Philippines
1. Acrophobia (Fear of Heights)
Image credit: Joel Mendoza
Acrophobia is one of the most common travel-related phobias. Who’s not afraid of heights? I mean, it’s probably human instinct to feel a bit scared when you’re at an extremely high place. But when you get panic attacks up there, it’s a totally different story — you already have acrophobia. So where to best test your limits and conquer that fear in the Philippines? At Crown Regency Cebu’s Sky Experience Adventure. Dare yourself to walk on its translucent glass floor or ride the scary edge coaster which tilts down the edge. There are actually more heart-pumping activities to do there, but these two are good for a start.
Location: Tower 1, Crown Regency Hotel and Towers, Fuente Towers, Fuente Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
2. Agoraphobia (Fear of Open Spaces)
Image credit: ricky artigas
While you can find a lot of open spaces in the Philippines, the best place I know that would help you overcome agoraphobia is the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Here, the vast sea of sands is all yours. While you’re there, might as well try riding the 4WD and sandboarding. The experience will be worth it!
Location: La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag, Ilocos Norte
3. Claustrophobia (Fear of Being Enclosed)
Image credit: trendstravel
After my first scuba diving attempt, I’ve become claustrophobic. But nah, this is nothing compared to those with REAL claustrophobia. So if you have this extreme fear of being enclosed in a small space, help yourself by entering the world-famous Underground River in Palawan. There are many other cave systems in the country that will give you the more serious claustrophobic feels, but the Underground River is just right for those who are still starting to overcome their fear.
Location: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan
4. Aquaphobia (Fear of Water)
Canyoneering in Cebu | Image credit: Highland Adventures
The canyoneering adventure in Cebu does not only help you conquer the fear of water, but it also helps you deal with acrophobia and claustrophobia all at once as you traverse canyons, jump off cliffs and dive into natural pools. Sounds fun and exciting, isn’t it? Read my personal experience of this extreme activity in Alegria-Badian, Cebu.
Location: Kanlaob River in Alegria to Kawasan Falls in Badian, Cebu
5. Enochlophobia (Fear of Crowds)
Image credit: Pradeep Swaminathan
I really hate crowds, but people who suffer from enochlophobia are severely scared even by the thought of it. If you’re one of them, start immersing yourself in the many festivals in the Philippines. I recommend that you join in the fun at one of the country’s biggest, brightest and loudest festivals — the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, which happens every third Sunday of January. I’m sure you’ll forget about the crowds when you see those colourful costumes, dashing street dancers, and flamboyant carnival floats.
Location: Cebu City, every 3rd Sunday of January
6. Xenophobia (Fear of Strangers)
Image credit: Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn)
We’ve always been taught not to talk to strangers, but some people just take it to the extremes and develop xenophobia, an irrational dislike or fear of strangers or foreigners. If you have this phobia, go to El Nido and flood yourself with a lot of tourists from many parts of the world! Read this El Nido travel guide first before you go there.
Location: El Nido, Palawan
7. Monophobia (Fear of Being Alone)
Image credit: Allan Ascaño
Monophobia, also known as autophobia, isolophobia, or eremophobia, is the intense fear of being alone or isolated. I’m a social kind of person so I don’t want to be alone most of the time, but sufferers of monophobia don’t necessarily have to be physically alone — the thought of being ignored or unloved scares them, too!
If you have monophobia, I encourage you to visit Batanes. You certainly won’t feel alone (physically and emotionally) here because the locals are welcoming, warm and honest. Plus, the landscape and environment will truly give you that inner peace.
Location: Batanes, Cagayan Valley region
8. Entomophobia / Insectophobia (Fear of Insects)
Image credit: Kitty Schweizer
While travelling, especially in tropical countries like the Philippines, you will definitely encounter some insects! If the mere sight of insects makes you feel itchy, uncomfortable, and excessively fearful, you most likely have entomophobia or insectophobia. Face your fears at Simply Butterflies Conservation Center in Bohol. But why only butterflies? Well, it’s already a good start instead of exposing yourself instantly to more disgusting creatures.
Location: Simply Butterflies Conservation Center, Poblacion, Bilar, Bohol
9. Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs)
Image credit: Eastwood City
Confession: I have cynophobia!
Seriously, I developed this fear when I was chased by a street dog back when I was a kid. Okay, enough of the history. Now, I should say that I’ve learned to manage the fear by having our own dog and exposing myself to many of these furry friends in Eastwood City, one of the pet-friendly malls in Metro Manila.
Location: Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City, Metro Manila
10. Ailurophobia (Fear of Cats)
Image credit: Velvet Friends Cat Cafe Company
Although cats look adorable and harmless, there are still people who intensely fear them. If you do, I suggest that you chill out with these cute felines in a cat cafe. You may hit up one of these pet cafes in Manila.
Also read: 10 Unique Themed Cafes in Metro Manila Worth Checking Out
Okay, I cannot guarantee that your travel-related phobias will be absolutely gone after visiting these amazing places in the Philippines, but there’s no harm in trying, right?
