Jona Viray

Last updated

Jona
JonalynVirayfearless1.jpg
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 active1995–present
AgentViva Artists Agency (2023–present) [3]
Musical career
Origin Pio Duran, Albay, Philippines [2]
Genres Pop, R&B, soul, classical
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Website YouTube channel

Jonalyn Roxas Viray (born November 15, 1989), known mononymously as a Jona, is a Filipino singer and songwriter. [4] She gained recognition after winning Pinoy Pop Superstar . She was previously the lead singer of trio girl-group La Diva. Following the group's disbandment, 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] In February 2016 she changed her screen name to Jona. She has won several awards, both solo and as member of La Diva. [6] She is known for her belting technique, melismatic singing style, and her ability to sing operatic arias.

Contents

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. [7] She won first runner-up in Birit Bulilit of IBC 13 as a child [7] and one of the finalists in MTB Teen Pop Star where her winning piece was Mariah Carey's "Never Too Far". [7] 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. [8]

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 . [9]

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.

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] She performed at the 27th Asian Television Awards that included a cover of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" a rendition of "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] She also headlined the YouTube Music Night for Southeast Asia in 2021. [14] [15] [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 performing in 2022.jpg
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

Studio albums

Extended plays

Concerts

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


Jonalyn: Uncovered [28] February 11, 2011Bagaberde Grill and Bar• 24th Aliw Awards Best Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges, Bars (Female)
Beyond Limits [29] September 2, 2011Music Museum• Co-headlined with Julie Anne San Jose and Frencheska Farr.
One Love [30] February 15, 2012Metrobar• Nominated for Best Concert Performer - Female at the 25th Aliw Awards.
Fearless [31] February 28, 2014Music Museum• 26th Aliw Awards Best Female Performer in a Concert.
Journey Into My Heart [32] November 27, 2015Music Museum• Guest performers includes Ice Seguerra, Kyla, Tres Marias, and The Angelos.
Queen of the Night: Jona [33] November 25, 2016 Kia Theater • Nominated for Best Major Concert Performer - Female at the 30th Aliw Awards.
ASAP Birit Queens [34] March 31, 2017 Mall of Asia Arena • Co-headlined with Angeline Quinto, Morissette and Klarisse de Guzman.
Prima Jona [35] November 18, 2017 The Theater at Solaire • Guest performers includes Regine Velasquez and Arman Ferrer.


Love, Jona [36] March 30, 2019 Online • YouTube Music Night free online concert].
The Aces [37] March 30, 2019 Smart Araneta Coliseum • Co-headlined with Lani Misalucha and Darren Espanto.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleNotes
1996Birit Bulilit [38] Herself
2004 MTB Teen Popstar [38]
2004—2005 Pinoy Pop Superstar [38]
2005—2010 SOP [38]
2005 My Guardian Abby [38]
2006 I Luv NY [38] Jenny de Castro
2010—2013 Party Pilipinas Herself
2012 My Daddy Dearest [38] Guest Singer
2013—2015 Sunday All Stars Herself
2013 Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman Guest
Kahit Nasaan Ka Man Herself
2014Cattleya
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

Accolades

Awards and nominations received by Jona
AwardYear [a] Recipient(s) and nominee(s)CategoryResultRef(s)
Aliw Awards 2011Jonalyn UncoveredBest Performance by a Female in Hotel Lounges and BarsWon [39]
2012One LoveBest Performance in a Concert (Female)Nominated [40]
2014Dares to be FearlessBest Performance in A Concert (Female)Won [41]
2017Queen of the NightBest Major Concert (Female)Nominated [42]
Awit Awards 2018"Sampu"Best Performance by Female Recording ArtistWon [43]
"Till the End of Time"Best CollaborationWon
"You"Most Downloaded SongWon
"Pusong Ligaw"Most Streamed SongWon
JonaMost Downloaded ArtistWon
Most Streamed ArtistWon
Jona Best Selling Album of the YearWon
2019"Take It To Forever"Best R&B PerformanceWon [44]
ASOP Music Festival 2013"Ikaw"Song of the YearWon [45]
Box Office Entertainment Awards 2018 Birit QueensMost Promising Female Concert Artist of the YearWon [46]
MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2017"Maghihintay Ako"Song of the YearWon [47]
Myx Music Awards 2017 "I'll Never Love This Way Again"Favorite RemakeNominated [48]
2018 "Ano Nga Ba Tayo?"Song of the Year"Nominated [49]
JonaFemale Artist of the YearNominated
"Til the End of Time"Collaboration of the YearNominated
"Pusong Ligaw"Media Soundtrack of the YearNominated
2019 "Take it to Forever" [b] Collaboration of the YearNominated [50]
Star Awards for Music 2014"Help Me Get Over You"Song of the YearWon [51]
2016 "Naghihintay"Nominated [52]
2017 Jona Female Recording Artist of the YearNominated [53]
Album of the YearNominated
Female Artist of the YearNominated
Queen of The Night JonaFemale Performer of the YearNominated
Birit Queens [c] Concert of the YearWon
2018"Sampu"Song of the YearNominated [54]
Female Recording Artist of the YearNominated
Prima JonaConcert of the YearNominated
Female Concert Performer of the YearNominated
2019"Ngayon at Kailanman"Female Recording Artist of the YearNominated [55]
Revival Recording of the YearNominated
Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2018"Ano Nga Ba Tayo"Ballad Song of the YearWon [56]
World Championship of the Performing Arts2006JonaIndustry Award For Female SoloGold [57]
Gold Medal for BroadwayGold
"Close to Where You Are"Gold Medal for Original SongGold
Gold Medal for PopGold
Gold Medal for R&B/JazzGold
Gold Medal for VarietyGold
"Close To Where You Are"Overall Champion for Female Vocal Solo (Original)Gold
Overall Champion for Female Vocal Solo (Broadway)Gold
Overall Champion Female Vocal Solo (Pop)Gold
Gold Medal for Best Pop Duet [d] Gold
Gold Medal for Best R&B/Jazz Duet [e] Gold
Vocal Duet Industry AwardGold
Overall Champion for Best Duet (Broadway)Gold
Overall Champion for Best Duet (Pop)Gold
Overall Champion for Best Duet (Gospel)Gold

Notes

  1. Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
  2. with Jay R
  3. with Angeline Quinto, Morissette, & Klarisse de Guzman
  4. with Brenan Espartinez)
  5. with Brenan Espartinez

References

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