Cruz is a household name because of his timeless compositions like Never Ever Say Goodbye, Sana’y Wala ng Wakas, Bituing Walang Ningning, Pangarap Na Bituin, Init Sa Magdamag, Kumusta Ka, Doon Lang and many others. What many admirers of his work don’t know though is that Willy is also a talented pianist.
This finally surfaced a year ago with the release of his solo album Got to Believe in Magic.With his interpretation of well-known songs like Forevermore, Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin and There Were You, among others, a pop instrumentalist was born. His playing set the stage for quiet moments and it is no wonder that requests for more followed in the wake of the album’s success.
Just as restful and certainly more romantic are the melodies included in Willy’s Through the Rain on Viva Records. These are songs made for love.
Songs included in the album are Cry, popularized by Mandy Moore; the Rey Valera composition, Walang Kapalit; two of Ogie Alcasid’s most popular compositions, Pangako and Kailangan Kita; the Elton John classic, Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word; Josh Groban’s You’re Still You; and from Elvis Presley, Can’t Help Falling in Love.
There is also a medley of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters and Kevyn Lettau’s Bridges; two movie themes from the Dave Grusin, It Might Be You from Tootsie and What Matters Most from TheChamp; Willy’s composition Kahit Na; Paul Williams’ You and Me Against the World; Gary Valenciano’s recent hit I Will Be Here and title cut.
Willy started his music career as pianist and arranger for the Ambivalent Crowd while taking his degree in Business Administration at Ateneo University. This stint led to his joining Vicor Music Corp. as Vice-President for the Domestic Labels Division. He later founded his own music company Jem Recording. As composer, arranger and producer he has worked with the biggest stars in the entertainment business like Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor and Basil Valdez. He also helped guide the careers of Sharon Cuneta, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuñiga, Zsa Zsa Padilla and others.
As a performing artist, he is under contract with Viva Records while his music catalogue is licensed to Harmony Music.