Remember the early 2000s rap battle competition of the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga, where the late Master Rapper, Francis Magalona, mentored the aspiring contestants? The segment was called “RapPublic of the Philippines,” and championing that competition was a trio from Marikina called “Triangulo.” That group is making a comeback as the hip-hop group “Crazy as Pinoy.”

Using the popular literary names from Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, their individual screen names are called “Basilyo”, “Crispin,” and “Sisa” — the popular sons and mother in the national hero’s first novel. They are Lordivino Ignacio (Basilyo), Muriel Anne Jamito (Sisa) and Jeffrey Pilien (Crispin).

Under the guidance of Francis M., “Crazy as Pinoy” was able to record their songs in two volumes of “RapPublic of the Philippines” albums. Their hits include “Panaginip,” “Huwad,” and “Crazy Dance.”

Two decades later, they are back together under BLVCK Entertainment. They were welcomed during a media conference at the headquarters of BLVCK Creatives Studio.

Watch our video coverage here with Crazy as Pinoy's live performance of "Panaginip:"

https://www.facebook.com/cinemabravo/videos/3482725615302246

A rose between the thorns

Crazy as Pinoy recalled how Sisa became a part of the group.

According to Basilyo, he discovered Sisa when she was taking a bath in her mother’s parlor where . “Meron kasi silang parlor e doon ako lagi nagpapagupit sa ermats niya… Hindi naman kalakihan yung bahay, so may kurtina, tapos may naririnig akong kumakanta do’n…”

He continued, “Ang sabi ko, ‘Ang ganda ng boses no’n!’ E siyempre, sakto, naghahanap kami ng kakanta sa chorus sa mga kanta namin. Kasi nga, kailangang mataas na boses e! Para lumabas yung ganda ng kanta, kailangang ipakanta mo siya sa maganda boses, sa magaling kumanta. Kasi, kung kaming dalawa lang [ni Crispin] ang aasahan, wala! Walang mangyayari!”

Crispin was as proud of Sisa becoming a part of their group. “Sobrang proud kami diyan kasi una pa lang, noong sumama siya sa ‘min, talagang game siya kasi… fan namin siya. Fan mo yung kakanta ng kanta niyo? Iba yon! Kaya sobrang proud ko diyan hanggang ngayon lalo na.”

When asked for a piece of advice for aspiring singers, Sisa shared, “Never stop dreaming.

“Nangarap po ako na ang kanta ko o ang boses ko ay marinig ng karamihan. Kaya naman do’n nagsimula yung matinding eagerness ko, yung kagustuhan ko na makilala sa pamamagitan ng pag-awit ko.

“Kung kayo po ay nangangarap at nagsisimula kayo sa banyo — dahil nga maganda ang echo sa banyo — kumanta lang kayo, ta’s pag nandiyan yung pinasisiklaban ninyo, ilakas-lakas ninyo katulad ng ginawa ko. Tingnan niyo, napansin ako ni Basilyo!”

Then and now

In the mid 2000’s, the group continued creating songs and allowed each other to pursue solo careers in the music industry.

Basilyo made it big with his hit song “Lord Patawad.” He is now a full-fledged actor and has starred with Coco Martin in TV series such as “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and currently “Batang Quiapo.” He also composed songs for TV and movies, “Vendetha,” “Cardo Dalisay,” “3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon” and Jack Em Popoy:The Puliscredibles” to name a few.

Sisa, the powerful voice behind the hit “Panaginip,” excelled behind the scenes as composer for commercial jingles and written songs for popular artists. She did “Di Ba Halata” for Toni Gonzaga, “Ngumiti Ka Lang” for Lyka Gairanod and “Di Ka Man Lang Nagpaalam” for Juan Karlos Labajo. Her biggest honor so far in the “theme song category” is the song “Di Ka Nag-lisa” which was one of the hit themes for “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” sung by Ms. Regine Velasquez, it bagged an Awit Award for Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage.

Crispin continued numerous collaborations with various Hip-hop artists and has created viral hits such as “Misyon” with Barakojuan and Marikina AlI-Star, “Minahal Kita Agad” with Bullet, Duff Uno and Jeremiah Toribio. He is also the ambassador of “Crazy as Pinoy” to the Hip-hop community, making sure that the group is still being acknowledged and represented in the Hip-hop scene and to help future emerging rap artists.

On their comeback

This 2023, “Crazy as Pinoy” decided to regroup and impart new songs for the Gen Z’s. Coincidentally, a clamor for a reunion performance of their iconic song, “Panaginip” came about. Wish 107.5 granted the request and to date their You Tube performance on the Wish bus has already garnered 14 million views since February.

“Panaginip’s” big return to the airwaves proved to be a good sign for the comeback of “Crazy as Pinoy” and solidified their plan to band together again. With new management, Blvck Entertainment at their backs they are claiming that it’s going to be an explosive year of new songs and projects.

Their first single under Blvck Music is a 2023 version of “Panaginip” plus an official music video helmed by acclaimed director, Titus Cee. “Panaginip 2023” by “Crazy as Pinoy” is included in their new digital album and is now available on music streaming platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, Medianet, Boomplay, You Tube Music.

Watch the official music video of “Panaginip” below: