Jona Viray

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Roxas and the surname or paternal family name is Viray.

Jonalyn Roxas Viray (born November 15, 1989), known mononymously as Jona, is a Filipino singer and songwriter.^[4] She was catapulted to mainstream prominence after she emerged as the first grand champion of Pinoy Pop Superstar.

Jona
Jona in 2013
Born	Jonalyn Roxas Viray (1989-11-15) November 15, 1989 (age 35)[1] Marikina, Philippines[2]
Alma mater	University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Years active	1995–present
Agent(s)	Viva Artists Agency (2023–present)[3]
Musical career
Origin	Pio Duran, Albay, Philippines[2]
Genres	Pop, R&B, soul, classical
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	GMA Records Creative Media Entertainment Star Music Star Magic
Website	YouTube channel

She was the lead singer of trio girl-group La Diva, alongside Maricris Garcia and Aicelle Santos following her career as a solo artist. They were chosen to sing the Philippine National Anthem at the Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto boxing match in Las Vegas as well as the theme song of Philippine remake of the Mexican telenovela, Rosalinda. Following the group's disbandment and her return as a solo artist, she released her single "Help Me Get Over" which was awarded the Song of the Year Award at the 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music.^[5] Jona ended her decade-long exclusivity with GMA in February 2016 and transferred to ABS-CBN, changing her screen name to Jona. On her first project in the Kapamilya Network, Jona sang "I Will Survive", the theme song of primetime drama series, We Will Survive.^[6] She also sang the second version of "I'll Never Love This Way Again" from the OST soundtrack of 2016 romantic-drama film Barcelona: A Love Untold and was chosen to sing the 65th Miss Universe theme titled "Confidently Beautiful".

Throughout her career as a member of La Diva and as a solo artist, Jona has won 9 Awit Awards, Aliw Awards, PMPC Star Awards for Music and World Championship of Performing Arts. In 2018, Jona made Awit Award history as the first Filipino artist sweeping all digital categories – Most Downloaded Song for "You", Most Downloaded Artist, Most Streamed Song for "Pusong Ligaw", and Most Streamed Artist – while her self-titled album won Best-Selling Album of the Year.^[7] She is known for her belting technique, melismatic singing style, and her ability to sing operatic arias.

Early life and career

Early life

Jonalyn Roxas Viray was born on November 15, 1989, in Marikina, Philippines. She is the only girl and the eldest of four children from Pio Duran, Albay.^[1] She started joining singing contests at an early age.^[8] She won first runner-up in Birit Bulilit of IBC 13 as a child^[8] and one of the finalists in MTB Teen Pop Star where her winning piece was Mariah Carey's "Never Too Far".^[8] Jona was 15 years old when she competed at the singing competition Pinoy Pop Superstar held by the local television station GMA Network and hosted by Regine Velasquez. Jona emerged as the weekly champion after singing the Whitney Houston hit song "Run to You". She also sang "Reflection", "I Have Nothing" and "Never Too Far" on the weeks that follow, and after four consecutive weeks of being weekly champion, she qualified to the grand finals.

For winning the title of, Jona won 1 million pesos in cash and became the owner of a Futura Classic house and lot developed by Filinvest and a brand-new Toyota Innova. She also won an exclusive one-year contract with GMA Records, the recording arm of GMA Network, and received 100,000 pesos worth of Belo Medical services, plus gift certificates worth 50,000 pesos from Gandang Ricky Reyes.^[9]

Transfer to ABS-CBN

In February 2016, Jona ended her decade of exclusivity with GMA and transferred to rival network ABS-CBN. Part of her reintroduction was the changing of her screen name to Jona. Her earliest project in the Kapamilya Network saw her competing in the 2016 edition of Himig Handog, a songwriting and music video competition and also singing "I Will Survive", the theme song of primetime drama series, We Will Survive.^[6]

From then on she has sung several theme songs for ABS-CBN films and drama series, became a mainstay of the longest noontime musical variety show ASAP, released her first album under Star Music which achieved Gold and Platinum certifications, held two major concerts, and competed and won second place in Himig Handog 2017. On the 31st Awit Award, Jona won 6 awards, Most Downloaded Artist, Most Streamed Artist, Most Downloaded Song for "You", Most Streamed Song for "Pusong Ligaw", People's Voice for Favorite Collaboration for "Till the End of Time" with BoybandPH and Best Selling Album of the Year for self-titled album "Jona". Her collaboration with Regine Velasquez, "Matibay", also won Best Musical Arrangement award for composer Marvin Querido.

ASAP Birit Queens

On May 15, 2016, ASAP launched a group called the ASAP Birit Queens. The group is composed of Jona, Morissette, Angeline Quinto and Klarisse de Guzman. The group held a concert on March 31, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The group temporarily disbanded in late 2017, but has since reunited occasionally.

Billboard Philippines

On the launch of the Billboard Philippines, three of Jona's songs charted in Billboard Philippines Top 20: "Pusong Ligaw" and "Maghihintay Ako" charted at number 3 and number 4 respectively,^[10] and "You" charted at number 9.^[11]

24th ASIAN Television Awards

Jona was called to perform for 2 Nights at the 27th Asian Television Awards when it happened for the first time in the Philippines. On the gala night, she performed a cover of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "The Magic Flute "Queen of the Night aria" ("Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen")^[12] On the artist's night, she performed "Love Don't Cost A Thing", "Into the Unknown", "Fifth Element Aria" and her own song "Till the End of Time".^[13]

YouTube Music Night

Jona was chosen by YouTube Philippines to be the first Filipina to headline the YouTube Music Night for the whole of Southeast Asia.^[14][15] Jona has been called "one of the industry's top female performers and recording artists".^[16]

Artistry

Influences

Jona has said that from childhood she has been influenced by Regine Velasquez, Céline Dion, and Mariah Carey for her musical style, and sound.^[17][1][18] She also admires to Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Sam Smith.^[19]

Voice and timbre

Jona performing at the Newport Performing Arts Theater Manila in 2022

Jona has been noted for her "melismatic singing style" or use of melodic variations.^[20] Her voice has been described "soulful" and "powerful".^[21] She is a classically trained artist from the UST Conservatory of Music with a major in classical voice.^[22] Critics often lists her among the Top Filipino singers in the world alongside music icons like Lea Salonga^[23] for "her powerful vocals and her ability to convey raw emotion through her performances"^[24] and has been referred to as the Philippines' "Soul Princess" for her vocal talent.^[25][26][27]

Musical Style

Love is the subject for the vast majority of Jona's music. She is also known for her power ballads which deals with themes of heartbreak, hope, and perseverance.^[24]

Discography

Main article: Jona discography

Studio albums

• On My Own (2005)
• Jona (2017)

Extended plays

• Jonalyn Viray (2013)

Concerts

List of concerts, with dates, venues and number of performances

Title	Date	Venue	Notes
Fearless[28]	February 28, 2014	Music Museum	• Jona's first major concert. Guest performers includes Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma and Brenan Espartinez.
Journey Into My Heart[29]	November 27, 2015		• Guest performers includes Ice Seguerra, Kyla, Tres Marias, and The Angelos.
Queen of the Night: Jona[30]	November 25, 2016	Kia Theater	• Guest performers includes Jed Madela, Daryl Ong and Regine Velasquez.
ASAP Birit Queens[31]	March 31, 2017	Mall of Asia Arena	• Co-headlined with Angeline Quinto, Morissette and Klarisse de Guzman.
Prima Jona[32]	November 18, 2017	The Theater at Solaire	• Guest performers includes Regine Velasquez and Arman Ferrer.
The Aces[33]	March 30, 2019	Smart Araneta Coliseum	• Co-headlined with Lani Misalucha and Darren Espanto.

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Notes
1996	Birit Bulilit [34]	Herself
2004	MTB Teen Popstar [34]
2004—2005	Pinoy Pop Superstar[34]
2005—2010	SOP[34]
2005	My Guardian Abby[34]
2006	I Luv NY[34]	Jenny de Castro
2010—2013	Party Pilipinas	Herself
2012	My Daddy Dearest[34]	Guest Singer
2013—2015	Sunday All Stars	Herself
2013	Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman	Guest
	Kahit Nasaan Ka Man	Herself
2014	Cattleya
2015	Sarap Diva
2015—2016	Marimar	Real Ate Corazón
2016–present	ASAP	Herself
2017	Magandang Buhay
2018	I Can See Your Voice
2023–present	Tawag ng Tanghalan	Hurado

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee(s)/work(s)	Result	Ref.
World Championship of the Performing Arts	2006	Industry Award For Female Solo		Won	[35]
		Gold Medal for Broadway Category		Won	[36]
		Gold Medal for Original Song	"Close to Where You Are"	Won	[35]
		Gold Medal for Pop Category		Won	[35]
		Gold Medal for R&B/Jazz Category		Won	[35]
		Gold Medal for Variety Category		Won	[35]
		Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo Awards Original Category	"Close To Where You Are"	Won	[35]
		Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo Awards Broadway Category		Won	[35]
		Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo Awards Pop Category		Won	[35]
		Duet: Gold Medal for Pop Category (w/ Brenan Espartinez)		Won	[35]
		Duet: Gold Medal for R&B/Jazz Category (w/ Brenan Espartinez)		Won	[35]
		Vocal Duet Industry Award		Won	[35]
		Overall Champion for Duet: Broadway Category		Won	[35]
		Overall Champion for Duet: Pop Category		Won	[35]
		Overall Champion for Duet: Gospel Category		Won	[35]
22nd Awit Awards	2010	People's Choice Favorite Group Recording Artists	"La Diva"	Won	[37]
2nd PMPC Star Awards	2010	Best Group of the Year	"La Diva"	Won	[37]
		Best Music Video of the Year	"Kasiping Ka"	Won	[37]
23rd Aliw Awards	2010	Best Group Performance in a Concert	"Only La Diva Concert"	Won	[37]
24th Aliw Awards	2011	Best Performance by a Female in Hotel Lounges and Bars	"Jonalyn Uncovered"	Won	[38]
ASOP Music Festival	2013	Song of the Year	"Ikaw"	Won	[39]
6th PMPC Star Awards	2014	Song of the Year	"Help Me Get Over You"	Won	[40]
27th Aliw Awards	2014	Best Performance in A Concert	"Fearless"	Won	[41]
RAWR Awards	2016	Favorite Song of the Year	"I'll Never Love This Way Again"	Won	[42]
7th EdukCircle Awards	2017	Most Influential Female Concert Performers of the Year	"Birit Queens"	Won	[43]
MOR 2017 Music Awards	2017	Song of the Year	"Maghihintay Ako"	Won	[44]
FILSCAP Songwriters Award	2017	Hall of Fame	"Maghihintay Ako"	Won	[citation needed]
Himig Handog 2017	2017	2nd Best Song	"Sampu"	Won	[45]
31st Awit Awards	2018	Best Performance by Female Recording Artist	"Sampu"	Nominated	[46]
		Best Collaboration	"Till The End of Time ft. BoybandPh"	Won	[7]
		Most Downloaded Song	"You"	Won	[7]
		Most Streamed Song	"Pusong Ligaw"	Won	[7]
		Best Musical Arrangement	"Matibay ft. Regine Velasquez"	Won	[7]
		Most Downloaded Artist	Jona	Won	[7]
		Most Streamed Artist	Jona	Won	[7]
		Best Selling Album of the Year	"Jona"	Won	[7]
3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards	2018	Ballad Song of the Year	"Ano Nga Ba Tayo"	Won	[47]
Himig Handog 2018	2018	5th Best Song	"Tinatapos Ko Na"	Won	[48]
Himig Handog 2018	2018	Producer's Award: Best Produced track	"Tinatapos Ko Na"	Won	[49]
9th EdukCircle AWARDS	2019	Most Influential Performer of the Year	"The ACES"	Won	[50]
32nd Awit Awards	2019	Best R&B Recording	"Take It To Forever"	Won	[51]
PMPC Star Awards for Music	2019	Female Recording Artist of the Year	"Ngayon at Kailanman"	Nominated	[52]