Here and there
Billy Crawford on recording again marrying the love of abroad, and his life in the Philippines
Many millennials surely remember the first “Pokemon” movie shown way back in 1999. It’s more marked to Pinoys, though, as Billy Crawford sang its theme song, joining the likes of Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and NSYNC, among others, on the official soundtrack.
It wasn’t a one-off thing. Billy was already a successful recording artist in Europe by then, with over two million record sales tucked under his belt.
In 2006, the Filipino-American performer returned to the country.
Talking to Bulletin Entertainment recently, Billy recalled why he decided to do so.
To begin with, he clarified that he “never” gave up his international career – he just “left” for a bit. “Everyone asks me, ‘Bakit ba umalis ka? Bakit mo ginive up?’” he said. “I never gave it up. I just went back home.
Masarap dito sa Pilipinas, I feel at home. I feel comfortable here.”
He shared that most of his contemporaries in France are still updated with his career. He was even mentioned in that country’s tourism rolling video early last year. “Nakakatuwa lang na they still recognize me. Nakaka-proud lang din naman na nababanggit ang mga Pilipino sa France. In all fairness, updated sila sa kung anong ginagawa ko dito. Alam nga nila nagho-host ako ng ‘Pilipinas Got Talent,’” he said.
Although his heart belongs here, Billy looks to reviving his international music career. “May plano akong bumalik, that is if the doors are still open for me. Sobrang nami-miss ko ng mag-perform. So let’s see, hopefully,” he said.
Summer wedding?
A year since getting engaged to Coleen Garcia, Billy remains tentative in giving out details about their wedding.
In the interview, one reporter mentioned that the wedding will happen this summer. Any clarification, Billy?
“Tignan natin,” he smiled, adding that the only thing sure is that it will happen in the country.
Later, Billy revealed preparations are half way done and they expect only about 250 guests. There will be two receptions: One is at the wedding venue and the other is in Manila, intended for industry colleagues and friends. Magastos, Billy said goodnaturedly. “Actually nahihirapan kami magbawas sa guest list. Hindi ko kayang bayaran ang 1000 attendees,” he added, laughing. “There’s a certain amount lang kung saan kami magpapakasal pero dahil parehas kaming artista, we decided to do another reception here para wala naman magtampo.”
Like other celebrities, Billy said he wants to keep their special day as intimate as possible. They’re planning to fly to the US prior to their wedding day to visit Billy’s parents.
Where and when is the honeymoon? “’Yun ang mahirap kasi may obligations kami dito. Mahirap magpasok ng schedule but we will definitely have one. We will wait for the right timing and we’ll plan it properly.” How many babies, we teased, to which he replied: “Two sana pero we’ll never know ’di ba?” After the wedding, Billy said nothing will change between the two of them – be it personal or career wise. “Walang magla-lie low (sa showbiz),” he declared. “Hindi ko siya ide-deprive sa gusto niya lalo na pinupursue niya talaga ang pagiging isang aktres. Susuportahan ko siya sa kahit (anong gusto niyang gawin) at alam ko naman na ganu’n din siya sa akin. It’s like, we’re just married and we can do whatever we want basta ang mahalaga road to forever kami.”
Change, change
Billy welcomed another change in his life just recently.
The talented artist has signed a five-year managerial contract with Viva Artist Agency (VAA).
He cleared there is no bad blood between him and his former manager, Arnold Vegafria. Billy simply wants a new home, a new beginning.
“Arnold has been a very good friend to me. Ang laki ng naitulong niya sa akin with ABS-CBN. I just want change. I want to grow more as an artist and Viva is very welcoming of me,” he said.
Billy said his friends and now fellow Viva Artists, Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Luis Manzano and James Reid did not convince him to do so. Rather, changing management was his own decision.
“Actually, ako ang mismong nagreach out sa Viva because I figured out I needed something new. May kailangan akong baguhin just as papasok ako sa bagong chapter ng buhay ko,” he explained. “I’m not getting any younger na din and I really prayed hard for this at dito ako sinagot ng Panginoon.”
“Nakausap ko sila Anne, James and Vice and they are all happy naman. With Lulu boy (was how he called Luis)… he’s
one of my best friends in the industry. Being in the same company with him, sobrang excited ako kung ano ’yung pwede naming gawin individually and also as friends,” Billy added.
As part of his contract, he disclosed they are eyeing to do albums as well as concerts.
The singer expressed excitement about it, especially when Viva owner, Vic del Rosario, gave him a go-signal to do whatever he wants music-wise.
“Nu’ng kinausap ko si Boss Vic about the album, ang una niya kaagad sinabi sa akin ay ‘Alam mo pagdating sa kanta, sa album. Ikaw ang bahala,’” he shared. “I said, ‘Wow! I’m actually given an opportunity and freedom to be myself sa album.’ I’d been recording and recording over the years and I just felt na hindi ako ’yun eh. But with Viva, I can do what I want. I can record as many songs as I want, pwede ako magsulat, pwede ako makipag-collaborate.”
If there’s one thing he wishes for, it is to be able to do a back-to-back concert with no other than Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo, who reminds him of a young Beyoncé and Whitney Houston. “Matagal ko ng pangarap ang isang concert with Sarah,” he said, smiling. “Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, nu’ng first time kong bumalik dito sa Pilipinas, si Sarah ang una kong nakasama sa production (number). Bahay niya ang Viva so ’yun ang pinapangarap ko. One step at a time, hindi naman kami nagmamadali (to do it).” Billy said he also would love to do a comedy film because that’s his comfort zone. He is thinking of Johnny Depp typeso – action and somewhat mentally enticing.
Getting better and better
Billy is one of the most in-demand hosts today. He is seen on “It’s Showtime,” “Pilipinas Got Talent,” and “Little Big Shots.”
He likes doing “Little Big Shots” featuring children demonstrating talents. “Ang kukulit ng mga bata eh! Kaya nga sabi ko ‘Love (was how he called Coleen), ’wag muna tayo mag-anak ha,’” he said in jest. Is that the reason he lost a lot of weight, we joked. Maybe, he shot back Straightening up, Billy said he stuck to an intense diet program. He had lost 60 pounds so far – all for the wedding and also for his health.