Guji Lorenzana was born as Gregory Lorenzana, Jr. on May
11th, 1983, in Long Beach, CALIFORNIA, USA.
Guji is the newest addition to the ABS-CBN talent roster as a member of Johnny
Manahan's talent machine, Star Magic. Launched as a Star Magic Batch 16 singer,
Guji was officially introduced to showbiz on August 17, 2008 on popular
noontime show, ASAP 08, along with 19 other “Batch 16” members. Now, Guji can
be seen on various ASB-CBN programming; most recently appearing on ASAP 08, Boy
and Kris, and I Love Betty La Fea.
Prior to joining Star Magic, Guji Lorenzana grew up in the
San Francisco Bay Area, in a suburb of San Francisco,
called Fremont
with his two younger sisters, Grace Lilette, and Gail Anne. Guji completed his
studies at the University of California, Davis,
where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communications. There,
Guji Lorenzana also took up Theater Arts as a mini-minor.
After graduating from college, he worked as a 1st grade CCD
Teacher, International Sales Representative for a Japanese Semiconductor
Company, and Real Estate Loan Agent for several years. He also did his rounds
of auditioning for theater plays on Broadway, landing several roles in college,
musical, and cultural theater productions. Guji also spent a lot of his time
gigging regularly with his Bay Area based band, Sunday Groove. Guji Lorenzana,
along with his band Sunday Groove, frequently performed and opened for visiting
OPM acts such as Kuh Ledesma and Zsa Zsa Padilla, amongst others. Guji’s Aunt
Jo Anne Lorenzana, who was formerly a recording artist in the Philippines, saw promise in his nephew, and
performed various shows together in the United States.
During the 3rd season of American Idol, Guji decided to test
his luck by auditioning. With the confidence he gained from Simon Cowell's
encouraging comments that Guji's voice had what it took to make it; Guji
decided to venture to the Philippines
to pursue music and entertainment.
Guji since then released 3 albums.
His first album, entitled Five Days More, was released in
2005 under the USA
independent label IMMIJ Records (California, USA).
Upon arriving to the Philippines in January 2006, Guji
released a self-titled EP, which was distributed under the Philippine label,
Ivory Records. The album's single, I'll Be Yours Forever, written by Ogie
Alcasid, debuted on MYX, with a music video directed by Paul Soriano (Gary
Valenciano, Toni Gonzaga). The music video featured leading lady, Lougee
Basabas (TV Host of Eat Bulaga / Lead singer of Philippine pop rock band
MOJOFLY/ DeLARA).
His latest album, entitled WITHOUT YOUR LOVE, was released
in December of 2007 under the Philippines
indie label, LuKas Music Philippines (MOJOFLY), distributed by Synergy Corp.
The single Tagumpay debuted on MYX and reached number 20 on the "Pinoy MYX
Countdown". Tagumpay achieved further popularity during the Ilocos Norte (Philippines)
political campaign of Bongbong Marcos, as it became the campaign’s unofficial
theme song in the summer of 2007. The music video for Tagumpay, which featured
leading lady Veronica Scott, of the girl pop group the Kitty Girls, was
directed by Paul Soriano. The music video gained nationwide notoriety for being
the first music video to feature the giant power generating turbines of Bangui Ilocos
Norte, Philippines.
Tagumpay also landed Guji a nomination for BEST MALE
PERFORMER, for the 2008 AWIT AWARDS. His contenders for this same nomination
included Jose Mari Chan, Richard Poon, Martin Nievera, and Gary Valenciano.
The latest single from Guji Lorenzana's LP, WITHOUT YOUR
LOVE, Kasalanan Ba? debuted on MYX and reached the 11th spot on the "Pinoy
MYX Countdown”. Kasalanan Ba? was also a featured song on the Jollibee play
list, and can still be heard in selected Jollibee fast-food establishments nationwide
(Philippines).
The music video for Kasalanan Ba?, which was directed by Enzo Valdez
(Rivermaya, Sam Concepcion, Callalily),
is partially animated and features Patty Laurel (TV Personality / Host)
as the leading lady. | 
In addition to being a recording artist, Guji has also been
working as a commercial model, appearing in various television commercials in
the Philippines and Asia. His most notable commercials include ads for Globe
Telecom, Jollibee Fast-food, and Selecta Ice Cream. Guji has also appeared in
commercials in Vietnam
for Nescafe.
Guji Lorenzana is also known as DJ Guji, working as a radio
personality / Disk Jockey for popular Top 40, Manila Radio Station, Mellow 94.7
(www.mellow947.com). Guji currently hosts his own radio show entitled, Chillin'
with Guji, which airs Saturdays and Sundays from 4pm-8pm, and can be heard on
Philippine radio dial 94.7FM and internationally via the internet
(www.mellow947.com).
Most recently, Guji Lorenzana teamed up with other Kapamilia
(ABS-CBN) talents for Manila’s
run of West Side Story, which starred Christian Bautista, who played the
leading role of Tony, and Karylle, who played Maria. Guji played the role of
Snowboy, and was his first theater project outside of the United States.
West Side Story, the Manila cast included GMA talent Gian Magdangal as the
leading character of Riff, the West End’s Joanna Ampil (Miss Saigon, Jesus
Christ Superstar) who played Karylle’s alternate for Maria, Rowena Villiar
(Miss Saigon Australia) who played Anita, and Star Magic talents, Jordan
Aguilar, and Michelle Murenec.
During Guji’s spare time, Guji contributes for various
magazines and publications nationwide, writing articles that range from
fashion, music, travel, lifestyle to relationships.
Soon, Guji is taking on an Executive Producer title as he is
producing a new show with production house Sindikato, for an up-and-coming
entertainment and travel television show which plans to air nationwide in the Philippines in
early 2009. |
