AI's loss is Manila's gain

MANILA, Philippines – Do you know that Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco were not the only Fil-Ams who tried their luck at stardom on American Idol (AI) Season 3?

There was Guji Lorenzana who then weighed 200 lbs. but possessed the Idol voice as the hard-to-please Simon Cowell put it.

“I auditioned in New York, L.A. and San Francisco,” recalls Guji. “I sang For Once In My Life. Simon said, ‘You have the voice, but you have no American Idol appeal.’”

But that didn‘t dampen Guji‘s spirits. He still wanted to fulfill his dream: That of becoming a recording artist.

After the AI audition in 2003, he buried himself in preparing his debut album titled Five Days More and released it under a US label in 2005. His Communication and Theater Arts education also helped him land roles in Broadway plays and perform with his group and Filipino artists in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Three years ago, Guji went to the Philippines and shared his edgy pop music through a self-titled album with the carrier single I’ll Be Yours Forever. It was followed by Without Your Love with Tagumpay. The song gave him the Best Male Performer nomination at last year‘s Awit Awards.

“She (aunt Joanne Lorenzana) is the reason why I entered show business,” says Guji. “She encouraged me to try my luck here and advised me to give my CD to Kuh Ledesma.”

Like other Filipinos out there, Guji loves “to create music and perform on stage.” And that has kept him going all these years.

Also in 2008, ABS-CBN Star Magic launched Guji as one of its Batch 16 talents. He graced commercials and appeared on stage (West Side Story) before TV assignments (I Love Betty La Fea, Midnight DJ) beckoned him.

We will see Guji the actor more when the book six of Precious Hearts Presents: The Bud Brothers airs soon on ABS-CBN. He plays guitarist Rei Arambulo and is paired with Roxanne Guinoo. Guji says it‘s all right if he is sidetracked to acting. After all, he gets to sing every Sunday on A.S.A.P. ‘09 and is a member of Voizboys along with Ronnie Liang, JayR Siaboc and Nico Antonio.

On top of his schedule, Guji finds time to write for MYX Magazine, Chalk, SLitz (on-line), Tsuper, among others.

On Saturdays and Sundays, he goes on board as DJ Guji on Mellow 94.7’s The Weekend Chill. Guji does Top 40, reminiscent of Ryan Seacrest.
Guji shares he wants to keep his hands full to deal with homesickness since his family and relatives are all based in the States.

Does Guji enjoy his stay in Manila?

His quick reply is a resounding “yes.”

Guji may not get the Golden Ticket to Hollywood from judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon, but he now has the approval of his Kapamilya. AI’s loss is Manila’s gain. Local show business has been generous to him so far.