Known as the Philippines’ Soul Princess, singer Jona, despite not being an original Kapamilya (she was exclusive to Kapuso network for a decade), ABS-CBN still took care of her even after the Network’s shutdown last year.
Contrary to what people would ‘normally’ think, Jona was treated right by ABS-CBN. In a virtual conference for her upcoming YouTube Music Night, the singer revealed that the Network bosses assured her that everything would be okay.
“Nung nagsimula yung challenge na yun na nawalan ng franchise, inassure naman kami ng bosses na ‘wag kayong mag-alala, hindi namin kayo papabayaan,'” said Jona.
Moreover, she was amazed at the reality of losing its right to operate, the bosses of ABS-CBN did not stop working.
“Kasi kahit nag-stop yung pag-air natin sa free TV, pero hindi sila huminto para magtrabaho. And mag-brainstorm ng mga plans, and mga pwede pang gawin in the future,” she added.
Star Music and Star Magic guaranteed that Jona and other artists under ABS-CBN’s talent agency need nothing to worry about even if the Network has lost its franchise.
“Kinausap kami ng Star Music, ng Star Magic, especially sina sir Roxy and also si Direk Lauren. As in nakipag-zoom meeting sa amin, and nakipag-meet sa mga artists and inassure kami,” she continued.
And now that the network is slowly recovering from the loss it suffered last 2020, the singer said that she felt the passion and dedication of the network to strive and continue bringing new ideas for Filipinos’ entertainment. That is why she is honored to have given such an opportunity, the first Filipino singer and the first in Southeast Asia to top-bill YouTube‘s Music Night.
“At yun nga, unti-unting nakakarecover ang network. And nakakatuwa kasi talagang dito sa Kapamilya network, mararamdaman mo at makikita mo na sobrang nag-eeffort ang mga tao despite what happened. Nag-eeffort in a way na hindi tumitigil sa pag-come up ng mga new ideas. Kaya naman nakakabibilib and very grateful na andito pa rin ako and binibigyan ako ng mga opportunities like this one,” Jona said.
Meanwhile, Viray admitted that she did not worry about her career despite being in jeopardy due to the pandemic because she trusted the Lord.
“Surprisingly, wala akong naramdamang takot for myself. Kasi ganito ang naging mindset ko nung early days and even in the middle of lockdown, hindi ako ganun nag-worry for myself. In-entrust ko na lahat sa Panginoon,” said the singer.
Jona will start YouTube Music Night through her show, Love, Jona, on February 6. The world’s leading video platform, YouTube, will be bringing its virtual concert in the Philippines by joining with the country’s biggest teller of love stories, ABS-CBN. This project is also the first in Southeast Asia.
Jona is known for her belting technique, melismatic singing style, and her ability to sing operatic arias. She’s classically-trained at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, where she took a Bachelor of Music, major in Classical Voice, minor in piano.
Additional text by Jude Cartalaba.
