Guji Lorenzana

Real Name: Gregory Mangindin Lorenzana, Jr.
Birth Date: May 11, 1982
Birth Place: Long Beach, California, U.S.
Nationality: Filipino
Occupation: Model, Singer
Famous For: is a commercial model, actor, theater actor, host, radio DJ for Mellow 94.7, writer, and a Filipino alternative rock, pop rock solo artist, nominated for Best Male Performer for the 2008 AWIT AWARDS, with his music as the only OPM to have been dubbed as Edgy Pop.

As a talent of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic Batch 16, where he was officially launched on ASAP 08 on August 17, 2008, Guji is now seen on various ABS-CBN television shows and publications, such as ASAP 09. He was recently part of the Manila’s run of West Side Story which starred fellow Kapamilia artist Christian Bautista. Guji’s first major project with ABS-CBN will be starring with Kaye Abad is the TV adaptation of popular Tagalog pocketbook, Precious Hearts Romances Presents -The Bud Brothers, where Guji will be playing the role of Rei.

Guji Lorenzana’s notable works include releasing 3 indie albums (Five Days More, Guji Lorenzana, and Without Your Love) in the Philippines and abroad, and commercial acting in various Philippine TV Commercials such as Selecta Ice Cream, Globe Telecom, and Jollibee fast food. In Vietnam, Guji has appeared in commercials for Nescafe.

Youth and Career

Guji has mentioned he was born on Mother’s Day , so the year of his birth has not been officially confirmed. Star Magic press releases state. Guji is the eldest of 3 siblings, Grace Lilette and Gail Anne. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, in a suburb of San Francisco, called Fremont. He completed his studies at the University of California, Davis, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communications. There, he also took up Theater Arts as a mini-minor.

After graduating from college, He worked as a 1st grade CCD Teacher, International Sales Representative, 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. Then he gigged regularly with his Bay Area based band, Sunday Groove. Guji, 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 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.

2005-2007 – Five Days More, I’ll Be Yours Forever

Guji Lorenzana’s first album, entitled Five Days More, was released in 2005 under the USA independent label IMMIJ Records (California, USA). On this record he worked with Los Angeles based record producer Randy Emata and released the album under his real birth name, Gregory Lorenzana.

Upon arriving to the Philippines in January 2006, Guji then released a self-titled EP, which was distributed under the Philippine label, Ivory Music Philippines. 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).
Without Your Love

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 Music Corporation. 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.

2008-Present – Awit Awards and Kasalanan Ba?

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. Gary Valenciano won the title.

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 playlist, and can still be heard in selected Jollibee fastfood 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.
Star Magic Batch 16

Now, Guji Lorenzana 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, Lorenzana 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 ABS-CBN programming; most recently appearing on ASAP 08, Boy and Kris, and I Love Betty La Fea.
Theater

Most recently, Guji Lorenzana teamed up with other Kapamilia 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. West Side Story Manila ran from September 5, 2008 to October 12, 2008 at the famous Meralco Theater. 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 Vilar (Miss Saigon Australia) who played Anita, and Star Magic talents, Jordan Aguilar, and Michelle Murenec of the girl group Kool Chx.West Side Story Manila plans a re-run in August of 2009.
Radio

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. 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 Mellow 94.7.

TV Production

Soon, we shall see Guji taking on the Executive Producer’s title as he is producing a new show with production house Sindikato Productions, for an up-and-coming entertainment and travel television show which plans to air nationwide in the Philippines in early 2009.
Writer / Contributor

Guji also contributes for various magazines and publications nationwide, writing articles that range from fashion, music, travel, lifestyle to relationships.

His work includes a cover story for popular Philippine rock band Bamboo for MYX Magazine, as well as various articles for Chalk Magazine. He has also written for online Men’s Magazine, SLITZ Magazine, Hinge Inquirer Publications’ YOU Magazine, and October Eighty Publications newest travel magazine, TSuper.
TV Commercials

Since 2007, Guji has also diligently 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 Fastfood, and Selecta Ice Cream. Guji has also appeared in commercials in Vietnam for Nescafe