By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Actress Erich Gonzales promised to finish her college studies and earn a degree.

“Pangako ko po sa sarili ko babalik po ako sa pag-aaral,” Gonzales said in an interview with morning show “KrisTV” hosted by Kris Aquino.

Gonzales, 22, was aready in her final year of college at the Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City, taking up AB Mass Communications. She said she had to stop this year to concentrate on her work.

“We came to a point po na everyday ay kailangan naming mag-taping at literally eveyday ay may work po. So kaysa sa mag-suffer ang grades, [I stopped school]. At the same time waste of time and money, kasi uulit ka din,” Gonzales explained.

Currently, Gonzales is finishing the last two weeks of her hit afternoon series “Maria La del Barrio” with love-team partner Enchong Dee.

After the series wraps up, she’s slated to finish her film with Derek Ramsay titled “Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang” and start shooting another movie, “Suddenly It’s Magic” with Thai actor Mario Maurer.

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Actor Gerald Anderson will be taking a short break after his hit television series “Budoy.”

“Magpapahinga muna ako kasi last year pa ako nagte-taping ng Budoy,” Anderson said.

The actor said that he’s still undecided where to take a rest but he was quick to announce that he will be back soon to fulfill his other showbiz commitments.

“May tour kami ng Star Magic abroad. March hanggang April kami doon,” Anderson said.

In 2010, Anderson fainted due to hyperventilation for overfatigue. He was then doing “ASAP” and the series “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” with Kim Chiu.

Anderson is now wrapping up the final two weeks of “Budoy.”

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The management of radio station Magic 89.9 clarified reports that Korean TV and radio personality Grace Lee, who’s now seeing President Benigno Aquino III, is the reason DJ Angelicopter, the host of their program “Good Times,” was fired.

In a statement posted on their official Facebook account, the station admitted that Lee and Angelicopter, or Angelika Schmeing-Cruz in real life, had a misunderstanding but stressed that Cruz’s overall performance was the reason she was terminated from the radio show.

Magic 89.9 also stressed that it didn’t favor Lee over Cruz.

“Recently, an article came out on Pep.PH which featured an interview with former Magic 89.9 jock Angelika ‘Angelicopter’ Schmeing-Cruz. In the article, it was alleged that it was a misunderstanding between her and ‘Good Times’ jock Grace Lee that caused her termination from the station. It is true that there was a misunderstanding between the two ladies,” the statement said.

“Admittedly, conflicts happen between jocks in radio shows specially in a high pressured show like ‘Good Times.’ However, it was NOT the reason Mrs. Schmeing Cruz was terminated. Her attention has been called several times due to internal issues. It was a matter decided after an on going assessment of her overall performance. Magic 89.9 has a culture of giving as many chances as possible provided those concerned show the capacity to improve their craft both off and on air. We’re saddened that it had to come to this.”

In her official Twitter account, Lee thanked her bosses for their support.

“Station didn’t have to… But thank you boss RT @stationguy899: To those askingRT @Magic899 Magic’s Official Statement. http://fb.me/1c83zPHIk,” Lee tweeted.

She added: “Grateful for all the support from my @Magic899 family. Thank you everyone. you all made my day easier:) Mwah~”

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The British-Norwegian pop group A1 arrives in Manila today for a concert.

The boy band, composed of Mark Read, Ben Adams and Christian Ingebrigtsen, is known for hits like “Heaven By Your Side” and “Like A Rose.”

A1 joins boy band Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degress in the concert “The Greatest Hits Tour” at the Araneta Coliseum on February 25.

Before going to Manila, the group stayed in Cebu.

“A1 fever back in the Philippines. loving my time over here. :),” Adams added.

Meanwhile, in his official Twitter account, Timmons said he is already in the country.

“Just got to Manila. So excited! ;p,” he tweeted.

By Reuters and U.S. News Agency / Asian

old singer and songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album, “19,” which sold 87,000 copies.

Houston’s songs also saw a huge sales rise following her death in a Beverly Hills hotel on February 11 and a touching tribute by Jennifer Hudson at the Grammy awards on February 12.

Seven of Houston’s albums re-entered the Billboard chart this week, led by “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” compilation at No. 2, selling 175,000 copies. Her self-titled album sold 17,000 to take the 37th spot.

Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” single took the No. 2 spot in the Billboard Digital Songs Chart.

Grammy boost

The Billboard 200 album chart reflected a Grammy-influenced boost for other artists.

Pop singer Bruno Mars, who was nominated for six Grammys but went home empty-handed, still saw his album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” notch the No. 8 position, boosted by his retro-inspired uptempo performance of “Runaway Baby” at the Los Angeles awards show.

His album was followed by Grammy’s best country album winners Lady Antebellum’s “Own The Night” at No. 9 and newcomers The Civil Wars, who picked up two Grammy awards, rounded out the top 10 with “Barton Hollow.”

Country singer Jason Aldean, Rihanna, British band Coldplay and country group The Band Perry all saw their albums climb the top 20.

Katy Perry, who stormed back defiantly in her first big public performance at the Grammys after husband Russell Brand filed for divorce in December, saw her new single “Part of Me” notch the top spot on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, with 411,000 downloads.

Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and “Set Fire to the Rain” took No. 3 and No. 4 on the Digital Songs chart respectively.

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Love is on the air as Tambayan 101.9 DJs are ready to coach, give advice, and even help people find their match.

Listeners can write to DJ Jasmin, talk to DJ Chacha, or join a dating game through DJ Charlie.

“Usapang Tambayan,” hosted by DJ Charlie and which airs everday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., has paved the way for many listeners to find possible life partners. It has also touched the lives of listeners and even produced two couples.

In his program, DJ Charlie features a “hotseater” who shares with the public the kind of person he or she wants to meet. Four callers get to chat with the “hotseater” for five minutes on air. At the end of the program, the hotseater makes a decision and they are supposed to have an “eyeball” or meet in person.

“There are some who are shy at first, but I help them open up. That way, they can find the person who will really click with their personalities,” DJ Charlie said.

If DJ Charlie is Tambayan’s matchmaker, then DJ Jasmin is its love counsellor.

Her program “”Dear Jasmin,” which was recently adjudged the Most Development-Oriented Program at the 2012 Gandingan Awards, features letter from listeners, whose stories are turned into radio dramas. It is the only radio drama airing on the FM band.

“There are days when giving advice just comes out naturally, but there also times when I am also going through something myself,” the KBP Golden Dove awardee and Gandingan Awards’ Best DJ for 2012 said.

“Heartaches actually enable me to become a better advisor,” she added.

As for DJ Chacha, whose program “Ano’ng Meron” airs from 9 p.m. to midnight, it’s all about being someone whom listeners can call to talk about their love life, including issues that cater to a more mature audience.

Tune in to Tambayan 101.9 and connect with DJ Charlie, DJ Jasmin, and DJ Chacha by calling 924-2684 or 415-1111.

Watch the live streaming at www.tambayan1019.com .

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

A “tagalized” version of the Mexican series “A Blow To The Heart” will soon air on Studio 23.

“A Blow To The Heart” will air Mondays to Fridays, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., starting Monday, February 27. On February 29, however, it will air from 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m..

The series tells the story of Valentina López or “La Monita,” a pretty professional boxer, whose boyfriend, Beto Ochoa, pressures her to win so he can get money for himself and his mother, Nieves, who raised Monita after her biological mother abandoned her.

But when La Monita takes a job at a company, the Sermeño Group, as a secretary, she meets its owner, ex-car racer, Mauricio Sermeño, who is engaged to Constanza, a selfish and extremely mean woman.

“A Blow To The Heart” follows the tangled relationship between La Monita and Maurico as they try to (unsuccessfully) hide their love for one another, as their partners, Beto and Constanza, plot to tear them apart.

By Reuters and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Bill Clinton had his saxophone, but President Barack Obama can sing the blues.

Obama lent his voice to a White House jam featuring Mick Jagger, B.B. King, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy on Tuesday during a celebration of blues and its influence on modern pop culture.

After wowing crowds in January by singing a line from Al Green’s classic hit “Let’s Stay Together” at a Harlem fundraiser, the President sang a verse of “Sweet Home Chicago” in the all-star finale of a TV special taped at the White House.

“We were trying to get you to help us sing. I heard you singing Al Green,” blues guitar legend Guy hollered to Obama on Tuesday. “So you started something. You got to keep it up now. You can do it.”

Taking a microphone handed to him by Rolling Stones frontman Jagger, a smiling Obama sang a solo verse of “Sweet Home Chicago” before handing back to the band.

The performance was part of a PBS television special marking

Black History month that will be broadcast on February 27 as “In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues,” the public broadcaster said.

Obama’s blues solo recalled Clinton’s saxophone playing appearance in 1992 on the “The Arsenio Hall Show”, which was credited with boosting his presidential campaign.

Obama’s brief rendition of “Let’s Stay Together” in January helped increase sales of the 1971 Al Green classic by 490 percent in the following week, according to Billboard magazine, and the YouTube video has been viewed more than 7 million times.

By Reuters and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Doping Agency’s (WADA) athlete committee, warned those using performance-enhancing drugs to steer clear of this year’s London Games.

London organizers expect more than 6,250 samples will be analyzed throughout the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, up to 400 each day, which is more than at any other Games.

“London 2012 will be the most tested Games in Olympic history and there will huge emphasis on detecting and sanctioning the doping athlete,” Dunn said in a statement released by WADA on Wednesday following a committee meeting.

“Any athlete who has taken drugs must be true to themselves and true to sport by staying away from the Games.”

The WADA-accredited laboratory, which measures the size of seven tennis courts, will be home to over 150 anti-doping scientists and will operate around the clock during the July 27-Aug. 12 London Games.

Argentina rugby captain Felipe Contepomi cautioned that despite improved testing and education the temptation to use performance-enhancing drugs is greater than ever with the lure of multi-million dollar contracts and endorsement deals dangled in front of young athletes.

“If you are a young athlete hoping to win a professional contract or make it into the next grade of elite sport then you may think that drugs will help you,” said Contepomi, a qualified medical doctor and veteran of four Rugby World Cups recently named to WADA’s athlete commission. “I read about it in my own sport, young rugby players looking to gain weight and muscle to improve their chances of getting taken on by a club.

“The only guarantee with taking drugs is that you are putting your health at risk. There is no question about this.”

During the meetings in Tokyo, the commission gave its unanimous support to the WADA Code and called on sport and governments to continue their commitment to clean sport.

“The Code is the glue that unites the wide number of anti-doping organizations around the world and allows them to approach the problem in a regulated and unified way,” said former Olympic snowboarder Sara Fischer, who was acting chairperson for the meeting.

“With new substances and methods being abused, the problem with drugs in sport is constantly changing and so the Code needs to change to keep up with these unfortunate developments.”

By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Stars of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are excited to play in front of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Al-Shabab Sports Center in Dubai.

For the third time in the last five years, the PBA will be playing two games in Dubai, with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters featured in both contests. They will take on the Barako Bull Energy on Thursday and the Barangay Ginebra Kings on Friday.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao told PBA.ph that it is a “privilege” to play in front of the Filipinos abroad.

“We love to play before our kababayans who long for PBA action. We’re playing two games, and so we’re leaving more marks,” he said.

Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquingcen agreed with Guiao, but added that he is hoping to come home with a win “to make this trip extra special.”

Ginebra’s top gun Mark Caguioa will be playing in Dubai for the second time, and he is eager to once again show his skills in front of OFWs.

“We have to give something back,” Caguioa said.

Barako Bull’s Willie Miller, for his part, is expecting to see familiar faces in the Dubai crowd.

“Marami akong kababayan sa Olongapo at kasama sa Letran na manonood,” he said. “Kasama sila sa magiging inspirasyon ko sa laro.”

“Iba pakiramdam maglaro sa harap ng mga kababayan mo na alam mong sabik sa ganitong pagkakataon,” Miller added.

Both games will be crucial for the three squads, who are all coming off losses in the ongoing PBA Commissioners’ Cup. Rain or Shine is especially eager to get a win after a 0-2 start.

“It’s already desperation period for us,” Guiao admitted. “We’re on the verge of being on a panic mode.”

Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi said his team also needs a victory in Dubai or risk missing the playoffs.

“It’s so short a tourney, that each game is magnified,” added Tanquingcen.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud heads the 95-man delegation.

“Mahirap para sa mga ball clubs ang bumyahe ng malayo to play an official game, but these three teams sacrificed to help make our kababayans happy,” Salud said.