NEWSFLASH 

---

U.S. SUCCESS HAS NOT CHANGED BILLY CRAWFORD

Quezcon City, Jan. 7, 2000- - Billy Crawford is still in town for a month-long holiday, and does not return to his hectic US schedule until January 16. Meantime, he has shown everyone how little he has been changed by success.

During Billy's month-long his Kuya Germs (TV host German Moreno) brought him around, showing off his former ward at showbiz parties and other gatherings.

If there is one person who is most happy about and proud of Billy, it’s Kuya Germs, whose now-defunct “That's Entertainment” TV show on GMA-7 saw Billy start his showbiz career. Others who also got their first breaks and honed their talent under the wings of Kuya Germs are: Lea Salonga, Donita Rose, Ara Mina, Jestoni Alarcon, Piolo Pascual, Tina Paner and Caselyn Francisco, who starred as Kim in the German version of Miss Saigon.

"Billy hasn't changed," Kuya Germs proudly tells movie writers, as he discussed Billy's self-titled debut album for V2 Records for international release. "Kung ano ang ugali niya noon, ganoon pa rin ngayon."

US and European pop magazines as well as international billbaord charts have featured Billy Crawford and his songs. Among the to-watch-for cuts in his album (to be released locally by BMG Records Pilipinas) are Urgently In Love, Our Night and Mary Lopez (his best-known song -- so far).

Born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipino mother, Billy was discovered dancing on a table at age two in a bowling alley frequented by his mother, and featured in a TV commercial.

Billy subsequently became a regular cast member of the weekly variety show “That's Entertainment,” where he stayed for eight years. He was also doing commercials and appeared in 10 movies. He won an award as Best Child Actor.

Billy’s relocated to his father's home state of Texas, settling in Midland. He won first prize at a Dallas talent contest, singing Michael Jackson's I'll Be There.

Moving with his family to New York, Billy shifted to high gear. In addition to writing songs with Nelson and O'Reilly -- they would end up with 60 original tunes before cutting his album -- he began working in commercials and expanding his resume in other ways.

At the 1995 MTV Music Awards, he appeared with a troupe of dancers backing Michael Jackson; on the Children's Choice Awards, which featured appearances by Brandy, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah and basketball star John Starks, he opened the show by singing the program's theme.