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

Coleen Garcia did not immediately answer whether there is any bad blood between her husband Billy Crawford and their former co-hosts of the ABS-CBN afternoon show “It’s Showtime,” especially with host-comedian Vice Ganda.

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

Due to the health concerns, she said it is normal for friends to stay away from others to prevent the spread of the virus. This was the case for her and her husband, who found it “very difficult to keep in touch” with their friends at the time.

“We’ve grown apart a bit, it’s really hard to keep in touch with everyone… I wouldn’t say it’s exactly the same as before na araw-araw kaming nagkikita… Ngayon, bihira ko na lang talaga silang makita. ‘Di naman silagaanong 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 saw each other every day. Now I hardly see them. They don’t even go to events like the Preview Ball very often, 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.It’s show time‘hosts, although she hoped they would meet again.

“Well, sana magkita kami. Hindi pa kami nagkikita. Actually, if you have a long event, if you are a lumalabas. I’m starting to reconnect with old friends. Hopefully makita ko sila uli,” she added.

(I hope we can meet again. We haven’t seen each other. In fact, this is the first time I’ve attended events in a long time. I’m starting to reconnect with old friends. Hopefully I can run into them again

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

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

The Vices of Billy Crawford

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

“Hindi kami nagga-gok, 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 do these rumors come from? They’re so random. Right now, Billy’s only vice is vaping, because he’s given up alcohol for about four years, while eight years since he stopped smoking.)

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

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

(It’s been so long, and then he got withdrawals and stuff. 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 kinda sad when people say that. But he’s the healthiest he’s ever been.)

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