Coleen Garcia dodges query about Billy Crawford, Vice Ganda ‘feud’

(From left) Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia, Vice Ganda. Images: Instagram/@coleen, Instagram/@abscbnpr

Coleen Garcia did not directly answer if there is bad blood between her husband Billy Crawford and their former co-hosts at the ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime,” specifically with host-comedian Vice Ganda.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Preview Ball, Garcia denied that there is animosity between the Crawfords and their Kapamilya friends, although she admitted that they “drifted apart” at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Because of the health scare, she said it’s normal for friends to stay away from others in order to contain the spread of the virus. This was the case with her and her husband, who found it “really hard to keep in touch” with their friends at that time.

“We kind of drifted apart, it’s really hard to keep in touch naman talaga with everybody… I wouldn’t say it’s just the same as before na araw-araw kaming nagkikita… Ngayon, bihira ko na lang talaga silang makita. ‘Di naman sila gaanong naga-attend [sa Preview Ball] like sina Jugs [Jugueta] or Kuya Kim. So hindi lang naman din sila talaga nakikita,” she said.

(I wouldn’t say it’s the same when we used to see each other everyday. Now, I barely see them. They don’t even attend events like the Preview Ball much, like Jugs Jugueta or Kuya Kim. So, this is why we hardly ever see them.)

The actress then explained that she and Crawford also had no opportunity to cross paths with the remaining “It’s Showtime” hosts, though she hoped that they would meet again.

“Well, sana magkita kami. Hindi pa kami nagkikita. Actually, ngayon na lang ako nag-i-event uli, ngayon na lang ako lumalabas ulit. I’m starting to reconnect with old friends. Hopefully, makita ko sila uli,” she added.

(I hope we’ll be able to meet once another again. We haven’t seen each other. In fact, this is the first time in a long while that I have attended events. I’m starting to reconnect with old friends. Hopefully, I can meet them again

When asked about Crawford’s alleged falling out with Vice Ganda, Garcia appeared to sidestep the question, saying it’s better to direct the question to the both of them instead.

“Kung ano man yun, sa kanila na yun, mas okay na sila na lang ang tanungin niyo. Pero kung sa amin at sa kanila as a whole, as of now, wala naman (If ever there’s anything between them, it’s better to direct the question to them instead. But for us and to them as a whole, as of now, there’s no bad blood),” she added.

Billy Crawford’s vices

Garcia also briefly addressed the gambling rumors surrounding the “The Voice Generations” coach during the ambush interview, saying it’s been years since Crawford quit his vices.

“Hindi kami nagga-gamble, mahilig lang kami mag-mahjong sa bahay. No! Saan nanggaling ‘yun? Sobrang random n’un. Wala,” she said. “Parang ang bisyo na lang niya is vape because he quit alcohol for about four years. Eight years naman ‘yung yosi.”

(We don’t gamble. We just like to play mahjong at home. No! Where did those rumors come from? Those are so random. At the moment, Billy’s only vice is vape because he quit alcohol for about four years, while it’s been eight years since he quit smoking.)

The actress also revealed that her husband is currently at his “healthiest” state.

“Matagal, and then he went through withdrawals and everything. I’m so proud of him. Napanindigan niya. Kahit a single lick of alcohol, wala. Pati yosi, wala. Kaya it’s kind of sad when people say that. But he’s the healthiest that he’s ever been,” she said.

(It’s been so long, and then he went through withdrawals and everything. I’m so proud of him. He stood firm in his decision. Even a single lick of alcohol, nothing. Even cigarettes, nothing. Kaya it’s kind of sad when people say that. But he’s the healthiest that he’s ever been.)

Earlier this month, Crawford clarified that while he’s civil with the hosts of “It’s Showtime” in a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview, he hardly had time to communicate with them since his departure. EDV