MANILA, Philippines?It?ll be a hectic 2009 for international pop star Billy Crawford who will be jetting in and out of the country for a tour with Sarah Geronimo in the US, and with Akon and Neo all over the globe.

With all this plane-hopping, how will he find the time for his new sweetheart, singer-actress and ?ASAP? and ?Your Song? co-star Nikki Gil?

The answer is time management, says Billy.

Apart from his love life, Billy also has to nurture his relationship with his two dads?biological father Jack Crawford, who?s recovering from throat cancer; and show biz discoverer German Moreno, who has finally forgiven him for moving to ABS-CBN.

How?s your relationship with Nikki?

We?re happy. We are on the same page. It?s like we are writing a book, toward a relationship. But we are busy with other things, too.

How do you make sure you have time for each other?

We make time. We?re not together every day, but we have special ways of communicating.

Texting, e-mail, Facebook?

I?m not fond of texting. I?d rather call. If she?s not picking up, then I know she?s busy with school or work.

How do you propose to sustain your relationship when you go abroad next month?

Number one is communication. Whatever your relationship is?whether it?s friendly or romantic?you have to work to keep it strong. Communication and trust are the secrets. We both love talking on the phone.

What are Nikki?s endearing traits?

She?s an angel... she?s a saint, actually. She?s a big blessing in my life.

As opposed to you?

No naman. I?m not the devil.

You played a possessed boy in ?The Exorcist.?

Hahaha! Like me, Nikki?s hardworking. But unlike me, she?s smart. Well, she?s book-smart; I?m street-smart. Another thing we share is that we value family.

How?s your dad?

He?s getting better. Luckily, his throat cancer was just in its early stage. He had an operation and is now back in the US for further tests.

How has your dad?s illness changed your relationship with him?

My dad and I never had a major quarrel. As in other families, we?ve had little misunderstandings, but I always knew that he?s just trying to protect me. He has always been supportive and accepting. When I found out he was sick, I got sad. But I have to be strong for him.

How are you and Kuya Germs?

We had dinner recently. We?re OK now. I always worry about his health, too. But he seemed healthy the last time we talked. I?m just glad that our little [tiff] is over. He has forgiven me and all is well. It?s a great way to start the new year.

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