Geneva Cruz reveals Smokey Mountain bandmates courted her, says she still believes in love
Geneva Cruz. Image: Instagram/@genevacruzofficial
As she looked back on her days with singing group Smokey Mountain, Geneva Cruz revealed its three other original members tried to win her heart.
During her guesting on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” aired Friday, July 21, singer Geneva Cruz shared that her former Smokey Mountain bandmates — Jeffrey Hidalgo, Tony Lambino, and James Coronel — courted her.
Cruz did not divulge specific details of their courtship of her, but recalled memories with her bandmates, with whom she recorded hits such as “Kailan” and “Can This Be Love.”
“Grad ball date ako ni Jeffrey…Tapos, si James (I was Jeffrey’s grad ball date. Then, James was) napakatorpe,” shared Cruz, who demonstrated how Lambino was the confident type who was able to tell her “I love you” before a performance.
Cruz, who left the group before the release of Smokey Mountain’s second album in 1991, expressed immense gratitude to National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, who co-created the band in 1989.
“I am nothing without our National Artist for Music. I am nothing without Ryan Cayabyab,” claimed the “In the Name of Love” singer, who released her debut solo album in 1992.
The 47-year-old “Little Princess” actress has embraced aging, and said that she is thankful for everything that she has been through — from when she was a very popular teenage singer to when things started to slow down in her life and getting married twice.
“I realized na itong mga dinaanan kong mga bagay na maliliit na masakit or malaki na masakit (I realized that these small or big painful things I went through), it actually made me a stronger and a better woman,” shared Cruz, who described aging as “a wonderful thing.”
“That’s why I love being 47 years old. I love aging. Aging is not a bad thing. Aging, actually, is a wonderful thing. And I’m glad that I am my age,” she said.
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Looking back on her past romantic relationships, Cruz said that she learned to not rush decisions pertaining to marriage. She was previously married to musician Paco Arespacochaga and radio DJ-TV host KC Montero. She remains friends with both her ex-husbands.
Speaking specifically on her relationship with Montero, Cruz shared the realizations she had following their split.
“Natutunan ko lang talaga is that — no’ng time nung sa’min — na parang sana mas nagbigay pa ‘ko ng oras…and sana mas nakapagpatawad ako dahil lahat naman tayo nagkakamali,” shared Cruz, who expressed that she’s happy for Montero, who’s been married to Stephanie Dods since 2019, and a father to a two-year-old boy.
(What I only really learned from our time together is that — like I wish I could have given more time and forgave more, because we all make mistakes.)
A “hopeless romantic,” Cruz claimed that she never lost faith in love, and even said that “love is the answer to everything.” The award-winning singer, however, is not only talking about romantic love.
“As a 47-year-old woman, [I need] to love myself, to learn to love myself because if I don’t love myself or if I don’t take care of myself, how am I gonna take care of my [nine]-year-old daughter?” shared Cruz, referring to her daughter London, who she said is her best friend.
Cruz, who’s currently single, clarified, “It’s not like I’m gonna die if don’t have a partner… but maybe, just maybe God has someone out there for me.”
Aside from London, whose father is the singer’s former fiancé Lee Paulsen, Cruz also has a son, 27-year-old Heaven from her relationship with Arespacochaga. EDV
