The greatest US president, Abraham Lincoln, said that if you stop at every dog that barks at you, you will never reach the peak of your career. Let any intrigue passes away, it will die a natural death soon.

This is exactly how Erich Gonzales treats every intrigue that is thrown at her. “If you have a strong self-confidence, or you have a high self-esteem, intrigues or any malicious criticism thrown at you do not work,” Erich stressed.

“You cannot avoid working closely with your fellow artists, but that’s for the purpose of making a movie project excellent,” Erich said. “It does not mean that when I work closely with my leading man, we are already engaged. Trabaho lang yan.” And she succeeded in stopping the allegation or innuendos about her relationship with a male lead star.

On being criticized for competing intensely with other product endorsers, Erich said that she was not competing with anyone because it is the product owner who chooses his endorsers. “I have no role in that at all,” she said.

Erich is now a third year college student taking up MassComm. “I will not abandon my studies,” she said though she is busy with her movie and TV projects.

She got her first taste of showbiz when she joined the “Star Circle Quest,” a star reality show of ABS-CBN. She won the grand prize.

The rest was history. She appeared successively on TV and in movie projects: As Nene in “Katorse,” Fina in “Tanging Yaman,” Chloe in “Magkaribal,” and Yumi in “I Do.”

Erich is now truly successful. “I feel so happy and blessed,” she said. Indeed, Erich is an admirable and empowered young woman who manifests strength of character. This is the reason she became the endorser of Careline beauty products. “She has the qualities we were looking for,” the owners of the product line said.

Nino Mas, marketing manager of Ever Billena Cosmetics, Inc. said that the choice of Erich as Careline’s newest face was unanimous among all the top honchos of the company. “Our thrust this time is to bring out that confidence among teenage girls and we believe that Erich Gonzales would be an ideal medium.”

On the other hand, Dioseldo S. Sy, CEO and President of EBCI, expressed excitement to have Erich as the newest member of the EBCI family. According to him, she is the perfect choice to represent the youth of today.

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Intimate Valentine shows with Jericho

Set to croon his way to the hearts of music lovers this Valentine season is actor-singer Jericho Rosales whose two-night show “And I Love Her” is slated on Feb. 11 and 12 at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills.

Jericho has carved a name for himself as a powerful dramatic actor via award-winning performances in both movies and television. But he has also found other mediums with which to showcase his versatility: Singing and songwriting. And he has also been successful in this.

His album under Star Records entitled “Change” has received commercial and critical success. Affirmation for his talent came when he received Song of the Year honors for his self-penned song “Pusong Ligaw” in the 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music 2010. As a result, a new album is currently in the works, not to mention more offers for more concert performances.

Jericho Rosales himself and Paolo Valenciano direct the show and by Dohn Cerenado as musical director. Beneficiaries of the show are the Shining Light Foundation and National Children’s Hospital. “And I Love Her” is supported by ASAP Rocks, Music Uplate, The Philippine Star, Chowking, Mint, Tambayan 101.9, DZMM, ABS-CBN, Studio V, Star Records, and Music Museum Group.

Tickets are available at Ticket World Music Museum, and Manila Genesis.

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Stars in BIR event

In line with its mandate to collect internal revenue taxes to support nation-building, Revenue Region (RR) No. 7, Quezon City formally launches its massive tax campaign for taxable year 2011 today (Feb. 8) at Trinoma Activity Center, Quezon City to jumpstart its drive for higher revenue collections and help BIR meet its collection goal of Php940 billion for this year.

This year’s tax campaign theme is “Buwis Mo Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas.” Celebrities such as John Lloyd Cruz, KC Concepcion, Rachelle Ann Go, Kyla, and Jaya among many others will be part of this event.

This event is also a tax campaign spearheaded by BIR Regional Director of Quezon City Nestor Valeroso with the support of Revenue District Officer Edgar B. Tolentino and other Revenue District Officers. The event informs the public about early filing of income tax returns. Deadline of income tax return for 2010 is April 15 without extension.

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Bon Jovi releases ‘The Ultimate Collection’

“Greatest Hits – The Ultimate Collection” is the latest offering from the Legendary Icons of Rock Bon Jovi. Fanatics of the group should definitely have this one. It contains Bon Jovi’s music from the ’80s up to present.

Along the way, the New Jersey-based quartet – lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres – have racked up a stellar resume of career highlights and accomplishments.

This two disc collector’s album contains 30 of the band’s unforgettable chart-toppers which includes “I’ll Be There For You,” “Always,” “In These Arms,” “Always,” “It’s My Life,” “Blaze Of Glory,” “Bed Of Roses,” “Keep The Faith,” “You Give Love A Bad Name” and more of your Bon Jovi favorites.

Just text BONJOVI to 3456 for Globe, Smart or Sun. Visit MCA Music on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcamusic or log on to www.mcamusic.com.ph for updates.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Feb. 8 go to President Noynoy Aquino, Gen. Joven Gongora, director Leonardo L. Garcia, Ronnie Henares, Bea Guanzon, Edith Diaz, and Martin D.C. Alegre...