Guji Lorenzana introduces 'edgy pop'
Guji on the set of Tagumpay music video
in Ilocos Norte
Born in Long Beach and raised in the Bay Area, may are quick to assume that Guji Lorenzana, 25, is a typical " Am Boy" from California complete with questionable Western values and attitudes.
His choice of performing "edgy pop" music doesn't help dispel that notion either. But truth be told, Guji comes from a very traditional and religious Filipino family. "I served as an altar boy during Sunday mass till I was 18." he said.
Gregory Lorenzana, Jr. is the eldest of three, and an only boy. His father, Gregory Sr., eloped to follow his mother to the United States. This is a story this self-proclaimed "mama's boy" loves to tell. " My parents are still in love," says Guji who believes that this is the reason he is a hopeless romantic.
Early on in life , Guji knew that entertainment would be his fate. During college where he majored in Communication and Theater arts at the University of California (Davis), he performed with HIPE – a "boy-band" under the same management as the San Fransisco- based Fil-Am group, Kai.
Guji moved to New York City immediately after graduation to hone his theater skills on Broadway. A year later. he returned to California and made good money in real estate, never forgetting his true passion... music.
In 2003, Guji tested his luck in American Idol Season 3 and became a Hollywood contender. As " Gregory Lorenzona," he signed-up with US-based indie label Immij Records and released "Five Days More" in 2005. The CD single gave him the opportunity to tour with his band, Sunday Groove, as opening act for Philippine-based artists like Kuh Ledesma and Zsa Zsa Padilla, Rica Peralejo, Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales, to name a few, in venues such as The Cow Palace, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Palace of Fine Arts, San Jose, Harrahs Casino Lake Tahoe, Stardust Hotel and Casino, and a lot more.
Guji Lorenzana
By January of 2006, Guji bid farewell to his band, his friends, family, and the foreign land he called "home" and came to Manila headstrong to succeed in Philippine shores. In only a matter of months, a self-titled CD Lite/EP was released and distributed by Ivory Records, "I'll Be Yours Forever" composed by Ogie Alcasid as the carrier single. The music video features Lougee of Mojofly as his leading lady.
The full-length album entitled "Without Your Love" was released last April 2007, this time under Anirak Records (a subsidiary of Lukas Music Philippines). The music video for "Tagumpay" which is the first single off the said album was shot in scenic Ilocos and will soon be seen on MYX and MTV.
Guji's first TV commercial for Hershey's Kisses in now being aired. He also participates in the Colgate Fresh Confidence Borakada Challenge which will be featured in ASAP for six consecutive weeks. Apart from these, Guji is currently sponsored by Penshoppe and will be part of this summer's nationwide tour.
During gigs, Guji is usually backed up by a full-band. Apart from performing original songs, Guji also treats the audience to renditions of songs by Robbie Williams (Better Man), Marron5 (This Love and Sunday Morning), Jason Marz (You and I Both), Gavi Degraw (I Don't Wanna Be), Seal/ Alanis (Crazy), and other rock-leaning tunes.
He is the first OPM singer who coined the word "edgy pop" and this is a combination of pop, soul and rock music.
Guji told The News Today recently that his fun-based is composed of mostly women and some guys. When asked how he deals with groupies, which are a natural part of being a celebrity, Guji said that he's being friendly with them.
Guji is very much single and unattached at the moment. He prefers a lady who's tsinita, small, fair-skilled, sincere and with strong Filipino values. "I don't go for aggressive women," he said.
Since he was into theater, it's no surprise if he wants to become a movie actor someday. "I love theater and I would love to be do a movie role someday," he concludes.
(With reports from Kathy M. Villalon)