What else can Jona do?

MANILA, Philippines - Jona never seems to get tired of enumerating the many firsts in her singing career since she decided to transfer to ABS-CBN a year ago. A smile was plastered on her face while telling the media about her various guestings in Kapamilya shows, live vocal performances with singing greats like Gary Valenciano, shows abroad, being part of the anniversary album of MMK, having joined Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs as song interpreter, first solo concert as a Kapamilya, etc.

Of course, a lot of people know that the 27-year-old power belter — who was then known as Jonalyn Viray — was a product of a singing search on GMA and spent several years there carving her niche in the local music scene. Her ability to hit the high notes easily grabbed the attention of music fans yet it seemed she was left with nothing more to offer.

But Jona was aiming to do more and so she welcomed the possibility of moving to another station after her contract with GMA expired. They parted amicably and then she moved to the Kapamilya network which accorded her a warm welcome and then, eventually shortened her name to Jona.

Obviously, her schedule is now bursting with singing engagements. The past months saw her prepping up for the launch of her eponymous and first album under Star Music. It took a couple of weeks for the selection process alone. Jona sat down with the recording label’s execs and creative team to choose the songs that will suit her style and vocal range.

“We usually have 30 to 40 songs na pinagpipilian,” Star Music audio content head Jonathan Manalo told The STAR regarding the selection process for the album. “We sent out requests to many songwriters then we will listen to the song one by one to determine which ones will appeal to listeners.”

Still, there are other factors they take into account before finally deciding on the song line-up. Jonathan said they also look into the potential of the song to serve other ABS-CBN platforms “because no matter how beautiful the song is, kung nakatago lang s’ya sa album o nasa Spotify o iTunes lang at di naple-play, sayang lang kaya importante yung synergy with the various platforms of ABS.”

In fact, Ano Bakit Paano —  composed by Rox Santos and Enrico Gonzales — which is included in the album, will soon be heard in the character narrative of Maja Salvador in the primetime series Wildflower.

Another song titled Pusong Ligaw is the theme song of an upcoming Kapamilya TV series.

Asked what inspires her to make a song appealing to listeners, Jona said she always makes sure to understand the message of the song in order to supply the right emotion. “Like when I sang You, the theme song of My Ex and Whys, I used LizQuen (the loveteam of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil) as my inspiration, especially the part of their story na ano nga ba sila. As for other songs, I often put myself in situations that the lyrics are telling about so I can interpret them well.”

Her self-titled album also includes original ditties Ano Nga Ba Tayo, Last Message, Till the End of Time and Matibay; Jona’s renditions of TV and movie theme songs such as I’ll Never Love This Way Again from Barcelona, You and Maghihintay Ako (last year’s Himig Handog entry which she interpreted).

Completing the album line-up are three bonus tracks. They are Ano Bakit Paano (cinematic version), Till the End of Time feat. BoybandPH and I’ll Never Love This Way Again, a duet with Gary V.

How would she assess her being a singer now?

“I am not yet at the point which I can say that I’ve already achieved what I want as a singer but there’s this big change in me now because I’ve succeeded in trying out different sounds na inakala ko hindi ko kaya at yun ay pina-experience sa akin ng Star Music,” Jona answered.

If given the chance, Jona would also like to try acting. “Hopefully, after promoting the album or if there is a good acting project that will come and if it’s fit for me then why not?”

She also looks forward to working with Nora Aunor or play leading lady to John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual or Jericho Rosales.

She, too, wishes to try her hand at composing songs. She revealed about having started on working on a musical piece but the thought of being criticized or rejected dreads her no end. “Pero sabi nga, paano ka matututo kung hindi mo susubukan? Perhaps, in the future I will have the guts to present it.”

Jonathan related, “I am actively encouraging her to make something personal because it is an authentic expression of her inner self.”

 (Jona, produced by Patty Mayoralgo and Jonathan Manalo, is available at record bars nationwide.)