Kapamilya powerhouse singer Jona Viray opened up about her future plans in music following her well-received performance at the Sinulog Festival, revealing her interest in regional collaborations, unreleased compositions, upcoming concerts, and even an update on her ever-growing family of rescued cats.
In our exclusive interview after her Sinulog appearance, Jona expressed enthusiasm about the rise of regional music in the Philippines and shared her desire to explore her own roots as a Bikolana through songwriting and collaboration.
“Oh yeah! Dahil pinaalala mo, a couple of years ago, dahil nga maraming nag-eemerge na regional artists doing original songs using mga regional languages. So, since Bikolana ako, parang gusto ko rin ma-try! Hopefully, in the future, kung hindi ko man magawa, makipag-collaborate ako sa isang Bicolana artist. Like sa, Diwata (band)? Yes. I like her songs, rapping style, Bicolana, ’yun. Sana maka-collab ko siya o kaya naman, may gumawa ng song na Bicolano, for me,” she shared.
Jona also admitted that she has written several songs in the past, although none have been released publicly.
“Nakapagsulat na ako songs, pero nasa baul lang. Nakatago lang siya. Kasi, dati pa ’yun eh, teenager pa ako. Parang, nahihiya lang ako ilabas. Feeling ko masyadong ano—pang-elementary, kumbaga ’yung level!” she said with a laugh.
Looking back on her milestone 20th anniversary concert, Jona described the experience as deeply meaningful, particularly her reunion with La Diva during the show.
“Yes. Kasi bihirang mangyari ang mga gano’n. Siyempre, since it was my 20th anniversary, parang kulang ang selebrasyon kung hindi sila magiging part ng concert na ’yun, kung hindi ko sila ma-invite,” she said.
“And thankfully, nung tinanong ko sila kung free sila sa date na ’yun, free naman sila and pumayag sila to do a production number with me.”
She added that assembling her guests, including industry icons, went smoothly—despite one notable absence.
“Hindi. At sa lahat ng mga guests din, sa mga icons, napagsama-sama ko sila in my 20th anniversary. Sayang nga, kasi si Tito Gary Valenciano nasa US siya that time, nag-conflict lang sa schedule. But I really loved for all of them sana na mapag-sama-sama.”
As 2026 unfolds, Jona said she has a packed schedule ahead, including concerts, Valentine’s shows, and possible international performances.
“Actually, medyo marami ako gustong gawin this year, at sa mga susunod na taon, to continue doing major concerts, mga shows,” she shared.
“May Valentine’s show kaming gagawin, Feb 14 with Tito Martin, Jed, Klarisse, Sofronio. Tapos, may mga inquiries na rin for out-of-the-country shows, tingin ko sa paparating na summer.”
She also hinted at releasing new original material.
“Hopefully, makapaglabas ako ng original songs ulit!”
Beyond music, Jona also talked about her passion for animal rescue, revealing that her number of cats has grown significantly.
“Well, hindi ko talaga sila eksakto binibilang—” she said before admitting,
“Ngayon, parang, more or less 70 na no? Mas marami ’yung cats kesa sa mga dogs. Kasi, somehow, mas madaling alagaan yung cats, kesa dogs. Parang, mas independent kasi yung cats!”
Performing at Sinulog, a festival deeply rooted in faith and devotion, also prompted Jona to reflect on the deeper meaning of celebrations tied to religion.
“Siguro, first, yung take ko lang sa ‘celebration’, ang gusto ko lang i-relate sa mga tao when celebrating sa mga ganitong activities na naka-connect sa mga religious activities natin, huwag na huwag nating kalimutan yung root, or core ng celebration,” she said.
“More than the kasiyahan, yung mga fireworks, mga ingay, mga sayaw and mga costumes, dapat bumalik pa rin tayo sa pinaka-core ng celebration.”
