Jona Viray

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

Jona
Jona in 2013
Born
Jonalyn Roxas Viray

(1989-11-15) November 15, 1989 (age 35)[1]
Marikina, Philippines[2]
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1995–present
Agent(s)Viva Artists Agency (2023–present)[3]
Musical career
OriginPio Duran, Albay, Philippines[2]
GenresPop, R&B, soul, classical
InstrumentVocals
Labels
WebsiteYouTube 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.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference JonalynVirayBasicInfo&FactsFromGMA7network was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Jonalyn Viray Basic Info from TV Network GMA 7". GMA 7 Philippine TV Network. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  3. ^ "Will Jona Viray remain a Kapamilya now that she's with Viva Artists Agency?". LionHearTV. November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "56k". The-top-tens.com. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  5. ^ "'My Husband's Lover' ending theme by Jonalyn Viray named Song of the Year at Star Awards". GMA News.
  6. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (February 24, 2016). "Jonalyn Viray now a Kapamilya; changes screen name to Jona". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  7. ^ "KZ, Gloc-9, IV of Spades Win Top Prizes at 31st Awit Awards". Inquirer.net. October 19, 2018.