Guji Lorenzana: The Singer-Actor To Watch Out For

CEBU, Philippines - Filipino-Americans Jasmine Trias, Ramiele Malubay, Camille Velasco were all seen on the boob tube performing on the American Idol stage, although lady luck was not kind enough to carry them all the way to the finish line. Another Filipino-American, Gregory “Guji” Lorenzana Jr., was among the legions of Idol hopefuls who didn’t get past the auditions and were advised to pursue something else besides singing. Guji (pronounced as “Goo-G”), however, was lucky to have received a good comment from no less than AI judge-cum-resident critic Simon Cowell which, in one way or another, pushed him to try his luck in his native land. He has found a retreat in the Philippines and, at present, Guji is seriously pursuing what he loves best. 

Recently launched as one of the Kapamilya network’s new artists via Star Magic Batch 16, Guji is bound to make waves being a music and acting talent who is armed with an engaging smile and sweet demeanor. To jumpstart his acting career, Guji starred in Bud Brothers, an afternoon series which is ABS-CBN’s TV adaptation of a Precious Hearts Romances Novel. He is teamed up with Kaye Abad and is joined by a stellar cast.

In the aspect of music, he has been productive, releasing three albums under independent labels. One of his songs, which is entitled “I’ll Be Yours Forever,” was composed by Ogie Alcasid. He got nominated for the Best Male Performance award for his single “Tagumpay” under his full-length album Without Your Love released in 2007 at the 2008 Awit Awards. On weekends, Guji does radio production as a DJ in Mellow 94.7. Quite a busy guy, indeed!

At 26, Guji is also an experienced thespian, who has been doing theater work since his student days in the US. After his theater stints in the Manila productions of West Side Story and Mama Mia, Guji is all geared up for a local play with a cause, Believe (the pop musical), in which he is joined by a powerhouse cast composed of Isabella, Keith Martin, Radha of Kulay, Marq Dollentes and Cebuano talents Benjie Layos, and Mae Ann Araneta. He first set foot in Cebu last week for Believe’s press conference at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel. Read on the chitchat that The FREEMAN Entertainment had with this looker.

The FREEMAN: What’s your character in Believe and how can you relate with it?

Guji Lorenzana: I play the role of Erik. He’s going through a lot. He just broke up with his girlfriend. He’s trying to find God, trying to find purpose in his life. I can relate to the character because I moved from the States to the Philippines with a very similar story. I remember feeling the same feeling that my character felt. I was heartbroken and lost. I didn’t anymore have faith in God. I didn’t have faith in myself and the things that I was doing. I needed to relight the fire in myself. That’s why I need to do music and I need to find that way again. I think for anyone, if you don’t have any passion in your life and if you don’t find your purpose, you always feel that there’s missing... whether that’s God or it’s your faith or it’s something that you really want to do. I was struggling with my faith. Now, here I am in the Philippines, doing a lot.

TF: What made you accept the play?

Guji: A lot of us have busy schedules outside of Believe. I was actually telling Isabella in the car nga na it’s been difficult for me to find time to go to church because of tapings and things like that. So it’s a way of service also, to give back and to be able to send a message that is positive, especially as a lot of people are going through these issues who are too afraid to talk about it, too afraid to even talk to God about it. It’s very important that we tackle these issues and put them out in the open. It’s a very good avenue to express it through song and acting. It’s a beautiful show. That’s one reason I wanted to be part of it.

TF: How is it working with ABS-CBN now?

Guji: It’s really busy. I’m happy that they took a chance on me because I’m the eldest in my batch, Star Magic Batch 16. They launched me as a singer but now they introduced me into acting. I’ve done theatre in the States and now here for West Side Story. But it’s still different din to do theatre and TV. It’s a lot of fun. I’m excited for future projects, I mean me and Kaye (Abad) are lucky.

TF: How is it working with Kaye Abad?

Guji: She’s very supportive. She’s a great person. I hope tuloy-tuloy yung loveteam and from what I’ve heard, maybe (tuloy-tuloy). Kaye is awesome... I can’t elaborate on that because there’s no word that can explain how I feel about her. Roxanne Guinoo was supposed to be my love team for Bud Brothers but, for some reason, she had to back out so it was a blessing in disguise to have Kaye Abad as a working partner.

TF: How were you honed as an actor and singer?

Guji: Back in the States, I fell in love with music and acting in church. Everything started in church. I got myself involved in church ministries and activities. If it wasn’t for the church, I wouldn’t probably be doing what I’m doing now.

TF: Can you tell me about the reason why you came here to the Philippines?

Guji: I was heartbroken! At that time in the States, I was working for a really good electronic company, doing international sales for a big Japanese company... I had a good job, but I was so heartbroken. I auditioned for American Idol in the States, Season 3 (Fantasia Barrino was the champ). I didn’t get far. I was able to talk to Simon (Cowell). He told me: “You know what you have the voice, the American Idol voice but you just don’t have the American Idol appeal.” I wasn’t mad. That kind of gave me the confidence that maybe I could make it in the Philippines. Then I said to my parents, ‘Mom, Dad, I really don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to live this kind of life. I need to find myself, doing something that I love to do. I need to find my faith. I think the best thing for me to do is to pursue my dreams before I lose my chance, before I get too old.’ So I came to the Philippines to pursue music. I recorded an album in the States and brought it to the Philippines. It was called Five Days More. Kuh Ledesma heard it.

TF: How did you meet Kuh, Isabella, Keith Martin and Mark (Dollentes)?

Guji: I met up Kuh by luck actually. She brought me back to church and got my faith back. Everything fell into place. She heard my album. When I arrived in the Philippines, Keith Martin brought me to Kuh’s house. Keith and I have common friends in the States. Kuh said, ‘You can make it here.’ So, I pursued music for two years – I was in a band. I do rock; the genre was more of pop rock. I did that for two years but it was too difficult to break into the mainstream. A suggestion arise to join Star Magic so here I am, doing Bud Brothers.

I’ve known Isabella, Mark and Keith for a while. Actually I could say, they’re my first family here in the Philippines since I live alone here. Isabella’s mom of course supported my career in the beginning and of course, Mark and Keith as well. I’m happy to be back with them in Believe.

TF: Are you happy with your acting career?

Guji: I’m very happy with it. Not everyone has opportunities like this, to be able to do music, to act and to be a part of ABS-CBN is big deal. I also hope to get better in acting. I hope to be able to play more serious roles, more dramatic. The kilig-kilig factor also works, it’s fun naman din. My first role in Bud Brothers, I got to do a love scene, a kissing scene and it’s with Kaye Abad who has been in the industry for quite a long time. Her first loveteam partner was with John Lloyd. I’m her comeback loveteam so I was so nervous but I think it was a good experience because at least they were able to establish me as an actor. I’m excited for the future projects that are coming in.

TF: Aside from Bud Brothers and Believe, what else are you up to?

Guji: I do ASAP. They put me in a group called VOIZboys with Ronnie Liang, Nico Antonio and JR Siaboc. We perform together in ASAP twice a month. I was really pushing it now and hopefully I will be able to record an album. I’m waiting for that.

I’ve been in the process of doing the album. In fact, one of the songs that’s in my independent album, Without Your Love, is the theme song for Bud Brothers – Pagkakataon. So, if you watch my episode, that’s the song I’m singing to Kaye (Abad).

TF: What are your future projects?

Guji: Beside Voizboys, there are some things that I’ve been hearing about from my manager but I can’t confirm it yet. With endorsements, I’m with Beverly Hills 6750, while the clothing endorsements are all independent lines because I love Filipino fashion, I love a lot of the local designers, and there are a lot from Cebu… [For any news about me], just check out my multiply, it’s all there – gujimusic.multiply.com.

TF: If you were to choose between music and acting, what would you prefer?

Guji: I wouldn’t choose because I love them both. I mean, music is my first love. I have to admit that I can’t live without it so music has to be involved somehow. That’s why I love theatre so much because it’s the rawest acting—everything is there. There’s no cut, there’s no take two. I love its excitement.

“Believe (the pop musical)” is happening on July 24 and 25 at Onstage Cinema One in Ayala Center Cebu. For ticket reservations and inquiries, please contact Riza at 09204014863. Tickets are pegged at 1500 Orchestra Prime Reserved, 1000 Orchestra Deluxe Reserved, 800 Balcony Front Reserved and 600 for Balcony Free Seating. Official ticket outlets are Ayala Center Cebu Customer Care 2315342; Mooon Cafe at The Walk IT Park 4128795; Bop Bernie’s Bistro Paseo Arcenas Banawa 2388377; PSH Cebu Cancer Inst. 2339399; Chong Hua Med. Arts Ctr. Room 505-B 2552408 and Wings Travel & Tours Ayala 2317391.