Pilipinas Got Talent co-host Billy Crawford shrugs off comparison with other talent shows 03/10/2010
 Author: Melba Llanera Sa mainit na pagtanggap at tagumpay na tinatamasa ngayon ng Showtime, hindi kataka-taka na isa uling talent program ang hinahanda ng ABS-CBN. Ito ay ang Pilipinas Got Talent, ang Philippine franchise ng Got Talent series na nagsimula sa Great Britain. Hindi pa man naipalalabas ang Pilipinas Got Talent ay ikinukumpara na agad ito sa Showtime. Ang pangamba nga ng iba ay baka kahit nasa iisang istasyon ang dalawang talent shows ay magkaroon ng kumpetisyon at sapawan sa pagitan ng mga ito. Pero ayon sa isa mga host ng programa na si Billy Crawford, iba raw ang Pilipinas Got Talent sa Showtime (hosted by Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, and Kim Atienza). "Iba ang Showtime," simula ni Billy sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). "Showtime is group, 10 to 25 members. Sa amin kasi, puwede kang maging soloist, duo, trio, puwede kang pamilya, whatever, basta may talent ka. Yun ang kailangang ipakita mo sa buong mundo. May tatlo rin kaming judges--sina Kris Aquino, Ms. Ai-Ai [delas Alas], and Mr. Freddie Garcia. And those judges, all throughout sila the whole show." Dagdag niya, "This is also a franchise from British Got Talent of England. So kung anuman ang ginagawa sa Showtime, opposite ng gagawin ng Pilipinas Got Talent. Sa amin, kung kaya mong kumain ng bubog, ng apoy, or kahit na ano, puwede." Ikinukumpara rin ang Pilipinas Got Talent sa Talentadong Pinoy ng TV5. May mga nagsasabi na iba pa rin daw ang original at mukhang ginaya lang daw ng Pilipinas Got Talent ang konspetong sinimulan ng Talentadong Pinoy, na hinu-host ni Ryan Agoncillo. Ano ang masasabi ni Billy rito? "Wala pa naman akong naririnig na ganun," sabi ng international Filipino singer. "But when that time comes naman, I don't think na magsasalita sila ng ganun. Nasa industriya naman tayo for a long time, no one will start naman ng mga away-away. Same concept kasi, but just like I've said, this is a franchise from British Got Talent. "Lahat naman ng talent shows iko-compare naman 'yan, kahit ano ang gawin mo basta nagpapakita ng talent. Ito, worldwide ito. Maipapakita ito sa TFC [The Filipino Channel] and two million pesos ang mauuwi ng contestant na mananalo dito." Luis Manzano. Kasama ni Billy sa Pilipinas Got Talent ang kaibigan at kasamahan niya sa Kanto Boyz na si Luis Manzano. Panay papuri ang ibinigay ni Billy kay Luis. "Si Luis is one of the most talented hosts here," sabi niya. "Luis is a great host and he's a good friend of mine. Wala akong masamang masasabi sa kanya and I'm really happy na mag-i-start na kami. After namin sa Cebu, Bacolod and Baguio kami for Pilipinas Got Talent." Mainit ding tinatanggap ng publiko ang grupo nina Billy at Luis, kasama sina John Lloyd Cruz at Vhong Navarro na Kanto Boyz. Tuloy ba ang pelikula o sitcom na nabalitang gagawin nila before? "I think pinag-uusapan yung movie namin," sabi ni Billy. "Sina Tita Cory [Vidanes, ABS-CBN head] yata ang may pinag-uusapan for a movie this year. Pero depende pa rin kasi lahat kami may sked. Kami ni Luis, we have Got Talent. Si Lloydie may movie with Bea [Alonzo[ and a teleserye. Si Vhong may Kokey, so malabo pa talagang magkasama-sama, lalo na yung sitcom. Yung Cebu namin, gustong dalhin sa States, pero hindi naman kakayanin ng sked namin." Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal 4 Comments Billy Crawford wants a six-pack! 03/10/2010
 Author: Walden Sadiri Billy Crawford and Dr. Manny Hearing comments that his girlfriend singer and actress Nikki Gil is becoming more beautiful and sexier because she is in love, Billy Crawford had to ask himself: Why is he getting fat yet he is as much as in love as Nikki is? "Somehow there's something wrong with that idea that men get fatter when we're in love," laughed Billy. "It's a good thing Dr. Manny Calayan is here!" The international pop star is the newest celebrity endorser of Calayan Surgicenter and Billy's transfer is perfect timing as one of his goals this year is to lose weight without any surgery or liposuction! "I don't know any procedures and I don't want the feeling of being cut up...I plan to lose around 20 pounds and I'm honored to be part of the Calayan family. I think within the six-month period there will be changes on my body. I think Doc Manny and the whole team of Calayan will do something incredible. And I'm willing to accept whatever challenges that's in store for me at the Calayan," Billy explained. He added that part of his decision to join the Calayan family was because he himself has known Dr. Manny Calayan personally through his manager Arnold Vigafria. Since they've met he has felt the doctor's support and with a 100% open communication, they're able to understand each other especially the direction he has to take as a new endorser. "We got Billy because he is known internationally. [He's] world class and we have a branch on Beverly Hills, California. We also plan to bring Billy to the US and who knows he might even join our upcoming Hollywood endorsers. He is our ace, and I'm sure that he will be a big help to us," commented Dr. Manny Calayan who added that he also made sure that when he signed the artist, he had no contract or conflict with a competitor. So what sparked Billy's sudden interest to lose weight? "I can say that not everyone's comfortable with their bodies. If a person says that they are unhappy with how they look then they should actually do something about it to become comfortable. I'm always seen on TV and if I'm not presentable viewers will notice that. They might even say that I don't take care of my health anymore. So I have to stay healthy and be well and one way of doing that is to lose weight," replied Billy. "Who knows, people might see my abs in a pictorial. But I'm a very wholesome performer. I don't want to show my abs in public. I'd rather concentrate on my performance...it's not about being sexy," he stressed. As a performer and dancer, it is important to be lightweight. According to him he can dance and move more on stage if he weighs even 10 pounds less than his current weight of 178 lbs. For him, losing weight will also keep him more energetic as a performer! Billy is one of the hosts of the popular ABS-CBN Reality-TV talent show "Pilipinas Got More Talent!" Source: The Manila Bulletin by Napoleon Quintos | October 29, 2009 8:43 AM  Pinoy Dream Academy 2’s Billy Crawford and Entertainment Live’s Luis Manzano join forces to serve as hosts of the upcoming show Pilipinas Got Talent. The show is ABS-CBN’s version of the talent search that has been a hit in several countries around the world. ABS-CBN.com spoke with Billy and Luis during the shoot for the promo plug for the show where they expressed their excitement over their new hosting duties. “Ito na ‘yung hinihintay na ng marami dahil tayong mga Pinoy ay very talented. Bukod sa pagiging magaling kumanta at sumayaw e marami pa tayong pwedeng ipakitang magpapabilib sa buong mundo. Everyone is welcome in this show,” Billy said. Luis and Billy are also mainstays of ASAP ‘09 where they’re part of the group Kanto Boys along with John Lloyd Cruz and Vhong Navarro. Being good friends on and off the camera, Luis and Billy are expected to have a good chemistry as hosts of PGT. “Ibang klase ang kakulitan namin ni Billy because magkasama kami sa Kanto Boys. We also hang out after work so I can say na established na ‘yung samahan namin. Sanay na kaming magbiruan so at least may makikita na ang audience na makulit na chemistry from us. I did PBB Teens and after that Billy hosted Pinoy Dream Academy 2 so ngayon kami na ang magkasama. We never hide our crazy side when we’re on TV lalo na kapag nasa ASAP kami,” Luis said. Billy said that hosting PGT is rather different because he and Luis will be given the chance to get to know the contestants more. “Ang hosting kasi namin ni Luis dito more on kulitan and we will be more intimate with the contestants. Mas makikilala namin sila on stage as they perform. Mas relaxed kami dito as hosts, parang off cam lang kami kung umasta kaya masaya. Kaming hosts we’re here to just serve as support and guide ng viewers. Ang magshe-shape ng show talaga are the contestants and the judges.” Luis added that PGT will also explore the drama in the life story of each contestant. “Ang unique sa ating mga Pinoy ang daming back stories. Every contestant hindi lang ‘yung talent niya ang ibabahagi niya pati na rin ‘yung drama ng pinagdaanan niya sa buhay.” Pilipinas Got Talent will feature any sort of talent, from singing and dancing to magic tricks and stunts. Billy, a renowned singer-dancer, said that he is also open into seeing other forms of talents on the show. “Host lang ako dito pero wala ako sa position to say kung sino ang magaling at hindi. We can give comments pero ang magka-count pa rin e ‘yung sasabihin ng mga judges. Dito hindi issue kung anong klaseng talent ‘yan. For as long as you’re good at it and galing sa puso ‘yan for sure maa-appreciate ‘yan ng mga audience.” He also encourages anyone with any kind of talent to try out for the show. “Sa mga sasali sana kapag nagpakatotoo ‘yung mga judges sa opinion nila ‘wag naman silang masaktan o ma-discourage. Just keep on doing what it is you really love and what you’re good at.” Pilipinas Got Talent will hold auditions at the following dates and venues: November 6, 7, and 8 – Lyceum of the Philippines, Batangas November 11, 12, and 13 – Cebu November 19, 20, and 21 – Baguio Country Club, Baguio City November 25, 26, and 27 – Cagayan De Oro Log on to www.ABS-CBN.com for more announcements and updates on Pilipinas Got Talent.  By Rito Asilo Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 21:55:00 05/22/2009 Filed Under: Music MANILA, Philippines—Billy Crawford’s decision to return to the Philippines and make the country his home base is something that needs to be emulated by other homegrown performers. Nope, we don’t see the move as a demotion, but a wise career gambit—and a sterling example of humility. Besides, there’s nothing better than performing for your own people and winning their approval. “Groove,” Billy’s latest album of covers, won’t have a hard time finding enthusiastic approval, even from finicky music fans. The pop-flavored collection boasts of 16 sleekly produced tracks that draw their unified sound from the multitalented performer’s earnest, R&B-flavored singing style and full-bodied pipes. What sets Billy’s compilation apart from many other all-covers albums in the market is the bold choice of songs in the hefty and impressive repertoire: A good number of tunes in the lineup are undoubtedly beautiful, but they’re not the easiest to sing. They include Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” and “Human Nature,” Earth Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove,” Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy, Mercy Me” and Brian McKnight’s “One Last Cry.” Youthful vigor His covers are not necessarily better than the original versions, but we’re happy to note that Billy doesn’t embarrass himself in them. In fact, he gives the songs fresh makeovers that brim with energy, interpretive pertinence and youthful vigor. Other than the aforementioned tracks, other notable cuts include “Steal Away,” “Never Let Her Slip Away,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love?” Most notably, his remakes of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” and El Debarge’s “Someone” are hard-to-resist, hit-bound pop confections. Billy collaborates with Nikki Gil in Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend,” which demonstrates the couple’s easy chemistry. So, if you’re looking for a pop-music album that doesn’t sound derivative or technologically enhanced, Billy’s “Groove” is for you. Tracklisting: Steal Away (originally popularized by Robbie Dupree) Sexy Eyes (originally popularized by Dr. Hook) Rock With You (originally popularized by Michael Jackson) Let’s Groove (originally popularized by Earth, Wind & Fire) Could It Be I’m Fallin’ In Love (originally popularized by The Spinners) Lovely Day (originally popularized by Bill Withers) You’ve Got a Friend feat. Nikki Gil (originally popularized by James Taylor) How Sweet It Is (originally popularized by James Taylor) Never Let Her Slip Away (originally popularized by Andrew Gold) Human Nature (originally popularized by Michael Jackson) One Last Cry (originally popularized by Brian McKnight) Someone (originally popularized by El Debarge) Mercy, Mercy Me (originally popularized by Marvin Gaye) Human Nature (Acoustic Version) You’ve Got a Friend feat. Nikki Gil (Acoustic Version) Steal Away (Silverfilter Remix)  Posted: March 19, 2009 The Kanto Boys of ASAP composed of (from left) Vhong Navarro, Luis Manzano, John Lloyd Cruz and Billy Crawford performed the lively song used in the summer station ID of the Kapamilya Network. Apl.de.Ap collaborates with Billy Crawford 03/21/2009
The Fil-Am member of the Black Eyed Peas is back in the Philippines to promote his solo album titled "You Can Dream". Apl.de.Ap (whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo) has chosen to collaborate with Billy Crawford for the song "You Can Dream," which is included in Apl's new album. Billy Crawford talks about his ailing dad 03/20/2009
PEP.ph: Billy Crawford stays tough and positive despite finding out recently that his father is cancer-stricken. He plans to spend quality time with his dad this Christmas. |
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