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
Musical artist

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

She was the lead singer of trio girl-groupLa Diva, alongsideMaricris Garcia andAicelle Santos following her career as a solo artist. They were chosen to sing thePhilippine National Anthem at theManny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto boxing match inLas 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 6thPMPC Star Awards for Music.^[5] Jona ended her decade-long exclusivity withGMA in February 2016 and transferred toABS-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 filmBarcelona: A Love Untold and was chosen to sing the65th Miss Universe theme titled "Confidently Beautiful".

Throughout her career as a member of La Diva and as a solo artist, Jona has won 9Awit 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 herbelting technique, melismatic singing style, and her ability to singoperatic arias.

Jonalyn Roxas Viray was born on November 15, 1989, inMarikina, Philippines. She is the only girl and the eldest of four children fromPio Duran, Albay.^[1] She started joining singing contests at an early age.^[8] She won first runner-up inBirit Bulilit ofIBC 13 as a child^[8] and one of the finalists inMTB Teen Pop Star where her winning piece wasMariah Carey's "Never Too Far".^[8]Jona was 15 years old when she competed at the singing competitionPinoy Pop Superstar held by the local television stationGMA Network and hosted byRegine Velasquez. Jona emerged as the weekly champion after singing theWhitney 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-newToyota Innova. She also won an exclusive one-year contract withGMA Records, the recording arm ofGMA 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 withGMA and transferred to rival networkABS-CBN. Part of her reintroduction was the changing of herscreen name to Jona. Her earliest project in the Kapamilya Network saw her competing in the 2016 edition ofHimig 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 showASAP, released her first album underStar Music which achieved Gold and Platinum certifications, held two major concerts, and competed and won second place in Himig Handog 2017. On the 31stAwit 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 andKlarisse de Guzman. The group held a concert on March 31, 2017, at theMall 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 byRegine Velasquez,Céline Dion, andMariah Carey for hermusical style, andsound.^[17][1][18] She also admires toAretha Franklin,Barbra Streisand,Beyoncé,Christina Aguilera,Etta James,Stevie Wonder,Michael Jackson,Whitney Houston, andSam 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 likeLea 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

• On My Own (2005)
• Jona (2017)

Extended plays

• Jonalyn Viray (2013)

• Jonalyn Viray atiGMA.tv
• Jona Viray atIMDb

• 1989 births
• Filipino child actresses
• Filipino child singers
• Filipino women pop singers
• Participants in Philippine reality television series
• Living people
• People from San Mateo, Rizal
• Singers from Rizal (province)
• Actresses from Rizal (province)
• Singing talent show winners
• GMA Network (company) people
• GMA Music artists
• Star Music artists
• Star Magic
• ABS-CBN people
• 21st-century Filipino singers
• 21st-century Filipino women singers
• Actors from Marikina

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