Billy Crawford ‘wiser’ after jail incident

HE IS thankful to friends, including Luis Manzano, who even visited him in prison.

Singer-TV host Billy Crawford considers his recent troubles—which landed him in jail—a “huge” learning experience.

“I think it made me stronger and wiser and taught me to take things slowly,” said Billy, who was charged with malicious mischief and disobedience after reportedly barging in drunk and making a scene in a Taguig City community precinct last September.

“It actually made me closer to the people who really matter in my life,” Billy told entertainment reporters at a recent press conference for the comedy flick “Moron 5.2: The Transformation” (Viva Films), which opens in cinemas on Nov. 5.

Shooting was underway when his run-in with the police happened. Billy said he was thankful to his costars—Luis Manzano, Matteo Guidicelli, Marvin Agustin, DJ Durano and John “Sweet” Lapus—for their support in those trying moments.

Too early

“They were all texting me. Luis even visited me [in the police station],” he related. “I will treat them like my own brothers, no matter what.”

His director Wenn V. Deramas was just as encouraging, Billy said, and tried to make light of the incident. “He laughed and jested that it was too early to promote the movie.”

The controversy likewise strengthened Billy’s relationship with girlfriend and “It’s Showtime” cohost Coleen Garcia. “It tested us; we found out how much we could take as a couple,” he said.

The 32-year-old actor also dismissed previous rumors that Coleen has a sex video circulating online. “There’s no such video…we didn’t take the issue seriously because we knew it wasn’t true,” he said, adding that some people always try to bring others down.

“She’s smart and knows what she wants. You can trust her with anything,” said Billy, describing Coleen as “one of the strongest women” he has ever known.

Meanwhile, with not a few show biz couples getting engaged in the past couple of months, Billy was asked if he and Coleen were inclined to follow suit.

“In due to time,” Billy stressed. “I want it to be special…to be perfect for us.”

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