Filipino singer Billy Crawford has bagged the 2003 Best International Male Singer honors at the annual NRJ Awards in Cannes, France. He defeated prominent international artist such as Eminem, Robbie Williams and Will Smith, who were the other nominees in the category. The award was voted for by the public in the nine European countries and Billy won by a very large margin.

The awards were presented by the leading the French TV channel TF1, French FM Radio Network NRJ, and Midem. The NRJ Music Awards is a highlight of the international music fair Midem, which showcases more than 9,000 entries from nearly a hundred countries all over the world.

Billy wowed a star-studded audience during the ceremonies with a stunning version of "You Didn't Expect That." There was a wild roar as Billy sauntered onstage on the three-wheeler motorbike, similar to what he used in the video of the song.

Latina artist Shakira got best international female singer edging out Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey. Shakira, however, was a no-show at the awards night.

Spanish trio Las Ketchup, who popularized the upbeat ditty, "Asereje (The Ketchup Song)," won for best newcomer, while the American duo The Calling was best international group.

Two old masters -- British pop singer Phil Collins and French rock musician Johnny Hallyday -- were honored with special awards.

Other artists who attended the Cannes music awards were Geri Halliwell, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and Dido.

News on Billy's triumph reportedly arrived late in the Philippines so reaction there, particularly of BMG Records, Billy's local recording company was unavailble. Billy was a former television child star in the Philippines where he is popularly known as Billy Joe.

Billy however, now spending most of his time in Paris, has been making a dent in the European music market with his solo album, "Ride." The single, "Trackin'," has also landed on the charts in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria, where the album has been released.

The young artist and his single immediately gained enviable ranking in Europe when it first popped into the charts -- Number 6 in Top 10 male artists, Number 6 in Top 10 Continental European Artists, Number 10 in "Border Breakers Top 100" with "Trackin'," Number 36 in Eurochart Hot 100 Singles with "Trackin'," Number 85 in European Radio Hot 100 with "Trackin'."

This year, Billy is all set to break the UK with the release of his new single, "You Didn't Expect That."

"Ride" is a pop/R & B classic, recorded exactly the way Billy wanted it to be. Although critics described the album as laden with Jackson-esque tracks, Billy insists he is not trying to sound like someone else in his album. "I had to do 'Ride' with a soulful direction and a pop sound," said Billy in an earlier interview. He names Al Green, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder as his R & B favorites.

Billy was supposed to spend the holidays in Manila, but was diagnosed with bronchitis and was hospitalized. On the day he was released from the hospital, he reportedly had a bad fall and crushed his jaw. Doctors had to hold it together with wires. Thankfully, Billy's jaw healed in time for his performance at Cannes. Once it's completely healed, Billy will return to Europe to promote "Ride."

After performing in Cannes, Billy flew to Morocco for the filming of the latest "Exorcist" saga. The film, to be directed by Paul Schrader, will be the prequel to the 1973 cult movie.

In the latest screenplay, a young priest, Father Merrin is on an archaeological expedition in East Africa when his faith is shaken by a young man (Crawford) who becomes possessed by the devil.