Jona | |
---|---|
Born | Jonalyn Roxas Viray November 15, 1989 [1] |
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 |
|
Website | YouTube channel |
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 .
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.
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]
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Studio albums
Extended plays
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. | |
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 |
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] |
Ice Seguerra, formerly Aiza Seguerra, is a Filipino actor, singer-songwriter, director and guitarist. Initially coming out as a lesbian in 2007, Seguerra also came out as a transgender man in 2014.
Rachel Jingco Alejandro is a Filipino singer and actress.
Celestine Cruz Gonzaga-Soriano, professionally known as Toni Gonzaga, is a Filipino media personality, host, actress, businesswoman, singer and vlogger. She has been dubbed as the country's "Ultimate Multimedia Superstar" by various media outlets. Gonzaga was the former lead host of ABS-CBN's long-running reality show Pinoy Big Brother. Her own YouTube channel Toni Gonzaga Studio has more than 6 million subscribers.
Josephine "Yeng" Eusebio Constantino is a Filipino singer, songwriter, composer and guitarist. She is referred to as the Philippines Pop Rock Royalty and is regarded as one of the biggest hitmakers in Philippine music industry. In 2006, she won the title "Grand Star Dreamer" in the inaugural season of Pinoy Dream Academy, the Philippine edition of Endemol's reality TV show Star Academy.
Aicelle Anne Coronel Santos-Zambrano is a Filipino singer, songwriter, pianist and actress who first emerged in the Philippine music scene as a contestant in Star in a Million. She has been known as the "First Undefeated Pinoy Pop Superstar", when she achieved eight straight wins in GMA Network's Pinoy Pop Superstar, She is an International Stage Diva who played Gigi in Miss Saigon, "Eat Bulaga's Traffic Diva", and known as the one and only "Asia's Soul Flair Songstress".
La Diva was a Filipino pop girl group, first established for the now-defunct musical variety-show SOP. The group is composed of two winners and a runner-up of Pinoy Pop Superstar. The line-up was originally composed of Jona Viray, Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia. The group's final line-up included only Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia; Jona departed the group on December 15, 2013. La Diva has sold more than 20,000 albums in the Philippines, and earned several achievements including Awit Awards and two PMPC Star Awards for Music. These successes lead the group to being the fourth best-selling female group in the Philippines behind the Sexbomb Girls, Aegis and the Mocha Girls. They are known for the 2012 hit "I Know He's There," which was featured in the OST of Legacy.
Bituin Escalante is a Filipina singer and actress. She is considered the Philippines' best female vocalists having been active since 2000, and notably due to the success of her Himig Handog entry "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana".
Anna Fegi is a Filipino singer and actress. She has performed internationally in over seventy countries and is known for her work on the popular show ASAP on the ABS-CBN television network and The Filipino Channel (TFC), her performances in the Himig Handog competitions, as well as her two solo albums released under the Sony BMG label. Fegi is recognized by her powerful voice, high vocal range, and trademark curly hair.
Kristine Zhenie Lobrigas "KZ" Tandingan-Monterde is a Filipino singer and rapper. She rose to prominence following her win on the first season of The X Factor Philippines in 2012.
Himig Handog is a multimedia songwriting and music video competition in the Philippines based in Quezon City. The competition is operated by ABS-CBN Corporation and its music subsidiary Star Music. The contest ran from 2000 to 2003 and was later revived in 2013. The theme of the contest has been love songs since 2002.
Nasa Iyo Na ang Lahat is a song recorded by Filipino actor and singer Daniel Padilla as the interpreter for the Philippines' Himig Handog songwriting and music video competition in 2013. The song was written and composed by Jungee Marcelo. It was included on the 2013 compilation album Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs. The digital album was made available for download on mymusicstore.com.ph on January 8, 2013, while on iTunes and Amazon on January 11. The physical album was released on January 17. The acoustic version was later included on his first studio album DJP and Best of ABS-CBN Summer Songs. The music video of the song was released on February 4, 2013.
Moira Rachelle Bustamante Dela Torre is a Filipino singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Olongapo, Philippines, she began as a voice artist for corporate jingles and theme songs. In 2013, she competed in The Voice of The Philippines, releasing her debut EP Moira following her stint in the show. She rose to fame after interpreting Libertine Amistoso's "Titibo-Tibo" in the Himig Handog music video competition, in which it won. She gained further success with her 2018 debut album, Malaya, which was awarded an eight-time platinum certification in 2020.
Patricia Janine Dusaran Berdin, simply known as Janine Berdin, is a Filipino singer and songwriter. She rose to fame when she was crowned as the grand champion of the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan on It's Showtime.
The following is a list of notable events that are related to Philippine music in 2019.
Zephanie Odhene Liwag Dimaranan, is a Filipino singer, actress and host. She is known as the winner of the first season of Idol Philippines. Dimaranan is dubbed as "This Generation's Pop Princess" in the country by various media outlets.
Klarisse de Guzman is a Filipino singer and composer who rose to prominence after placing as the first-runner up of the first season of The Voice of the Philippines in 2013 and being crowned the winner of the third season of Your Face Sounds Familiar in 2021.
"Akin Ka Na Lang" is a Filipino song first recorded by singer and songwriter Morissette. It was written by Francis Kiko Salazar for the Himig Handog: P-Pop Love Songs songwriting competition (2014). The song reached the finals of the competition but did not receive an award. Nevertheless, it became a popular ballad in the Philippines. It was released as a bonus track on Morissette's 2015 eponymous debut album.
Filipino singer Jona has released two studio albums, one extended play and fifteen singles. In addition, her songs have been used in 23 films and television series. In 2005, she won the television talent show Pinoy Pop Superstar and released her solo debut album On My Own the same year. It was certified Gold by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), selling 15,000 units in the country. In 2013, she released her debut EP Jonalyn Viray under Creative Media Entertainment. Upon release, it became one of Astrovision /Astroplus best sellers and spawned the commercially successful single "Help Me Get Over". The song won 'Song of the Year' at the 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music and earned nominations at Myx Music Awards.