Jona Viray
Jonalyn Roxas Viray (born November 15, 1989), better known by her stage name, Jona, is a Filipino singer and actress.[3] She was the first Pinoy Pop Superstar grand winner.
Jona | |
|---|---|
Viray in 2013 | |
| Born | Jonalyn Roxas Viray November 15, 1989[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Height | 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Pio Duran, Albay, Philippines[2] |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, soul, classical |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Labels |
|
| 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. The trio covered songs such as "I'm Yours", "Angels Brought Me Here", "Apologize" and "Stand Up for Love". 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' at the 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music.[4]
In February 2016, Viray ended her decade-long exclusivity with GMA 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.[5] 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. Last 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.[6] Jona's self-titled album also bagged the “Best-Selling Album of the Year” award based on combined physical and digital sales.[6]
She is known for her belting technique, melismatic singing style, and her ability to sing operatic arias. Viray is referred to as the "Philippines' Soul Princess" by multiple media and critics.[7][8]
Early life
Jonalyn Roxas Viray was born on November 15, 1989 in Marikina, Philippines. She is the only girl and the eldest of 4 kids from Pio Duran, Albay.[1] She started joining singing contests at an early age.[9] She won first runner-up in Birit Bulilit of IBC 13 as a child[9] and one of the finalists in MTB Teen Pop Star wherein her winning piece was Mariah Carey’s "Never Too Far".[9] Growing up, Viray admired Carey, Regine Velasquez, Whitney Houston, Kyla, Christina Aguilera, and Beyoncé.[1][10] Viray cites Kyla and Sarah Geronimo as her inspiration saying they "inspired [her] to get up there and do what they did". Currently, she is dubbed as The Fearless Diva of the Philippines.
Pinoy Pop Superstar
Jona was 15 years old when she competed at the singing competition Pinoy Pop Superstar held by the local television station GMA 7 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.[11]
Career
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.[5]
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. Her songs "You" "Pusong Ligaw" and "Maghihintay Ako", with "Pusong Ligaw" and "Maghihintay Ako" charting at number 3 and Number 4 respectively, all in the Top 5 [12] and "You" charting at Number 9[13]
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")[14] 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".[15]
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.[16][17]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Label | Released | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinoy Pop Superstar: The Finalists[18] | GMA Records | 2005 | Certified Platinum Record |
| On My Own[18] | Certified Gold Record | ||
| La Diva[18] | 2010 | ||
| Jonalyn Viray | Creative Media Entertainment | 2013 | |
| Jona | Star Music | 2017 | Certified Gold + Platinum Record |
Singles
| Title | Original soundtrack of | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Ay, Amor! [18] | Rosalinda | La Diva |
| Ikaw Ang Pag-Ibig Ko [18] | Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang | |
| Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan [18] | Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan | |
| Maging Akin Ka Lamang [18] | Maging Akin Ka Lamang | None |
| If We Just Hold On [18] | Le Robe De Mariee | |
| Mahawi Man ang Ulap [18] | Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap | |
| Ang Mundo Ko'y Ikaw [18] | Bakekang | |
| Ikaw Nga [18] | Mulawin | |
| Di na Mag-iisa [18] | Darna | |
| Ayoko Na Sana [18] | Faithfully | |
| Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos (duet With Jillian Ward) [18] | Cielo de Angelina | Jonalyn Viray |
| Help Me Get Over You [18] | My Husband's Lover | |
| Sa Piling Mo [18] | Lola | |
| Nakita Kang Muli | Padam Padam: The Music of Their Hearts | |
| Tanging Ika'y Mamahalin | Innamorata | None |
| Ikaw, Ako, at Siya (duet With Jaya, and Janno Gibbs) | Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real | |
| Kailan Ba Tama ang Mali? | Kailan Ba Tama ang Mali? | |
| I Will Survive | We Will Survive | |
| Maghihintay Ako | Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2016 | |
| I'll Never Love This Way Again (second version) | Barcelona: A Love Untold | N / A |
| Ano Nga Ba Tayo | From her new album "Jona" | |
| Pusong Ligaw | Pusong Ligaw | |
| You | My Ex and Whys | |
| Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita | Asintado | |
| Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko (duet with Daryl Ong) | Sana Dalawa ang Puso | |
| Ngayon at Kailanman | Ngayon at Kailanman | None |
| Pasko na, Sinta Ko? | Paano ang Pasko? | |
| Init sa Magdamag | Init sa Magdamag | |
| Bakit Sinta (duet with Gabriela) | TBA | |
| Please Forgive Me | ||
| Asa (duet with Erik Santos, Gabriela, and Jed Madela) | ||
| Have You Ever Seen the Rain | ||
| Bakit Kailangan | ||
| If Love Is Blind (duet with Gabriela, and Jed Madela) | ||
| Honesty | ||
| Heart Of Stone | ||
| Hagkan (duet with Gabriela, and Kyla) | ||
| Ang Gusto Ko (duet with Jaya, and Gabriela) | ||
| Pinaikot Mo Lang Ako (duet with Janno Gibbs, and Gabriela) |
| Title | Year | Philippine Hot 100 | Philippine Top 20 | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Maghihintay Ako" | 2016 | 49 | 3 | Jona |
| "Pusong Ligaw" | 2017 | 28 | 3 | Jona |
Concerts
- Fearless (February 28, 2014, Music Museum)
- Journey into my Heart (November 27, 2015, Music Museum)
- Queen of the Night: Jona (November 25, 2016, Kia Theatre)
- ASAP Birit Queens (March 31, 2017, Mall of Asia Arena)
- Prima Jona (November 18, 2017, The Theatre at Solaire)
- The Aces (with Lani Misalucha and Darren Espanto) (March 30, 2019, Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Birit Bulilit [18] | Herself |
| 2004 | MTB Teen Popstar [18] | |
| 2004—2005 | Pinoy Pop Superstar[18] | |
| 2005—2010 | SOP[18] | |
| 2005 | My Guardian Abby[18] | |
| 2006 | I Luv NY[18] | Jenny de Castro |
| 2010—2013 | Party Pilipinas | Herself |
| 2012 | My Daddy Dearest[18] | 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 | All-Out Sundays | Guest |
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 | [19] | |
| Gold Medal for Broadway Category | Won | [20] | |||
| Gold Medal for Original Song | "Close to Where You Are" | Won | [19] | ||
| Gold Medal for Pop Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Gold Medal for R&B/Jazz Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Gold Medal for Variety Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo Awards Original Category | "Close To Where You Are" | Won | [19] | ||
| Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo Awards Broadway Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo Awards Pop Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Duet: Gold Medal for Pop Category (w/ Brenan Espartinez) | Won | [19] | |||
| Duet: Gold Medal for R&B/Jazz Category (w/ Brenan Espartinez) | Won | [19] | |||
| Vocal Duet Industry Award | Won | [19] | |||
| Overall Champion for Duet: Broadway Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Overall Champion for Duet: Pop Category | Won | [19] | |||
| Overall Champion for Duet: Gospel Category | Won | [19] | |||
| 22nd Awit Awards | 2010 | People's Choice Favorite Group Recording Artists | "La Diva" | Won | [21] |
| 2nd PMPC Star Awards | 2010 | Best Group of the Year | "La Diva" | Won | [21] |
| Best Music Video of the Year | "Kasiping Ka" | Won | [21] | ||
| 23rd Aliw Awards | 2010 | Best Group Performance in a Concert | "Only La Diva Concert" | Won | [21] |
| 24th Aliw Awards | 2011 | Best Performance by a Female in Hotel Lounges and Bars | "Jonalyn Uncovered" | Won | [22] |
| ASOP Music Festival | 2013 | Song of the Year | "Ikaw" | Won | [23] |
| 6th PMPC Star Awards | 2014 | Song of the Year | "Help Me Get Over You" | Won | [24] |
| 27th Aliw Awards | 2014 | Best Performance in A Concert | "Fearless" | Won | [25] |
| RAWR Awards | 2016 | Favorite Song of the Year | "I'll Never Love This Way Again" | Won | [26] |
| 7th EdukCircle Awards | 2017 | Most Influential Female Concert Performers of the Year | "Birit Queens" | Won | [27] |
| MOR 2017 Music Awards | 2017 | Song of the Year | "Maghihintay Ako" | Won | [28] |
| FILSCAP Songwriters Award | 2017 | Hall of Fame | "Maghihintay Ako" | Won | [citation needed] |
| Himig Handog 2017 | 2017 | 2nd Best Song | "Sampu" | Won | [29] |
| 31st Awit Awards | 2018 | Best Performance by Female Recording Artist | "Sampu" | Nominated | [30] |
| Best Collaboration | "Till The End of Time ft. BoybandPh" | Won | [6] | ||
| Most Downloaded Song | "You" | Won | [6] | ||
| Most Streamed Song | "Pusong Ligaw" | Won | [6] | ||
| Best Musical Arrangement | "Matibay ft. Regine Velasquez" | Won | [6] | ||
| Most Downloaded Artist | Jona | Won | [6] | ||
| Most Streamed Artist | Jona | Won | [6] | ||
| Best Selling Album of the Year | "Jona" | Won | [6] | ||
| 3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards | 2018 | Ballad Song of the Year | "Ano Nga Ba Tayo" | Won | [31] |
| Himig Handog 2018 | 2018 | 5th Best Song | "Tinatapos Ko Na" | Won | [32] |
| Himig Handog 2018 | 2018 | Producer's Award: Best Produced track | "Tinatapos Ko Na" | Won | [33] |
| 9th EdukCircle AWARDS | 2019 | Most Influential Performer of the Year | "The ACES" | Won | [34] |
| 32nd Awit Awards | 2019 | Best R&B Recording | "Take It To Forever" | Won | [35] |
| PMPC Star Awards for Music | 2019 | Female Recording Artist of the Year | "Ngayon at Kailanman" | Nominated | [36] |
References
- ^ a b c . GMA 7 Philippine TV Network. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ a b . GMA 7 Philippine TV Network. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "56k". The-top-tens.com. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "'My Husband's Lover' ending theme by Jonalyn Viray named Song of the Year at Star Awards". GMA News.
- ^ a b Anarcon, James Patrick (February 24, 2016). "Jonalyn Viray now a Kapamilya; changes screen name to Jona". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "KZ, Gloc-9, IV of Spades Win Top Prizes at 31st Awit Awards". Inquirer.net.
- ^ "Jonalyn Viray, muling bibirit sa Music Museum". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "Makipagkwentuhan online with Soul Princess Jonalyn Viray! | GMA Entertainment". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c . filipinomusica.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ . Celebrity Ring. August 22, 2008. Archived from the original on November 26, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "Jonalyn Viray Emerged as the first ever Pinoy Pop Superstar". Findarticles.com. May 11, 2005. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "Billboard Philippines Launches First National Charts". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ "3 kanta ni Jona, kasama sa BillboardPH top 20". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ "Anggun napatulala, gustong makacollab si Jona". PH Entertainment | Philippine Entertainment. January 16, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ ClickTheCity (January 8, 2020). "Stars of PH, Thailand, and More to Gather in Manila For Asian Television Awards". ClickTheCity. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ Corporation, ABS-CBN. "Jona ignites the love month celebration in "YouTube Music Night's" free virtual concert | ABS-CBN Corporate". ABS-CBN. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ "Jona Viray feels pressured being the first local artist to represent the Philippines at 'YouTube Music Night'". www.msn.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Jonalyn Viray Filmography". IMDb. August 22, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Pinoys shine in int'l singing tilt". Philstar.com.
- ^ "Pinay singer wins 9 medals in WCOPA, receives recognition from hometown". GMA News Online.
- ^ a b c d "La Diva inspired to give more and better performances after successive awards". pep.ph.
- ^ "Complete list of Winners 24th ALIW AWARDS (2011)". rodmagaru.
- ^ "ASOP TV Grand Finals 2013 Winners". asoptv.com.
- ^ "Who won at the 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music". ABS-CBN News. September 15, 2014.
- ^ "Jed Madela wins top honor at 27th Aliw Awards; Baby Barredo, Boy Abunda, Lea Salonga & John Lesaca named Lifetime Achievement Awardees". PEP.ph.
- ^ "Jona Viray's 'I'll Never Love This Way Again' wins Favorite Song of the Year". lionheartv.com.
- ^ "7th EdukCircle Awards". edukcircle.
- ^ Cagape, Kristhoff (2017). "Jona, Ylona, Maymay win big at MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2017". ABS-CBN Push. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ "Himig Handog 2017 Winners". ABS CBN Entertainment.com.
- ^ "FULL LIST: 31st Awit Awards Nominees". One Music PH.
- ^ "Full List: 3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards Winners". Wish1075.com.
- ^ "Himig Handog 2018 Winners". ABS CBN.com.
- ^ "Himig Handog 2018 Winners". ABS CBN.com.
- ^ "9th EdukCircle Awards". edukcircle.
- ^ "OPM wins! Here is the list of winners at the 32nd Awit Awards". ph.news.yahoo.com.
- ^ "Nominees for 2019 Star Awards for Music". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
External links
- at iGMA.tv
- Jona Viray at IMDb