Exclusive - Jona Reveals Difference Between ASAP and GMA-7 Defunct Musical Variety Shows

After a year of success after she transferred to ABS-CBN, Jonalyn Viray finally released her first self-titled album "Jona" under Star Music last February 24. The launch happened at the ELJ Building. 

Jona first rose to famewh en she won Pinoy Superstar in GMA in the year 2005. She changed her screen name to Jona when she came to ABS-CBN. 

“Kahit po nirebrand ako, kahit na binago nila yung pangalan ko, actually hindi po pala binago kundi iniksian lang po nila yung pangalan ko, hindi pa rin naman po ako nagbabago yung values ko talaga kung ano ako noon, nandoon pa rin naman po 'yon," she said.

“Kung nagbago man po ako, it’s for the improvement, for the better. Ganoon naman po tayo, di ba? Dapat kung nagbabago tayo, hindi yung pagbabago na hindi maganda kundi towards the betterment.”

“Sa bilis po ng panahon, parang hindi ko po napansin na one year na po pala ako dito sa ABS hangga’t hindi po sinabi sa akin ng mga kasamahan ko.

“Naging maganda po talaga yung takbo ng career ko po dito sa ABS. Sobrang dami ko pong nagawa na first time ko pong na-experience.”

She also noted that aside from changing her screen name, she also changed some of her styling and her singing to be more relatable to her fans and listeners. 

“Makakarelate pa rin naman yung mga adults pero yung mga young ones, I think mas naaabot ko na po sila.”she said. 

She is very excited about the release of her album which contains different collaborations with the biggest stars such as  Regine Velasquez-Alcasid for “Matibay,” Gary Valenciano for “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” and BoybandPH for “’Til The End Of Time.”

The album also has other tracks such as “Ano? Bakit? Paano,” “You,” “Ano Nga Ba Tayo?,” “Pusong Ligaw,” “Last Message,” and “Maghihintay Ako.”

Jonathan Manalo, supervising producer, is very confident about the album, saying: “We are confident na aabot sa Platinum yung certification ng album na ‘to kasi magandang maganda siya.”

“Kakarelease pa lang ng album, ‘pag tinignan mo na yung track list, may hits na kaagad and marami pang mga future na magiging theme songs ng upcoming shows ng ABS.

“We are very confident with this album and siyempre si Jona.”

The said album will be available on Spotify this coming February 27, and will be available for purchase in leading music stores on March 2, 2017, together with its digital versions. 

Jona also addressed the competition between ASAP and GMA's defunct musical variety shows such as SOP and Party Pilipinas saying that it must be the longevity that makes the difference. 

“Sa pakiramdam ko lang, kaya siguro hindi masyadong nagtagal yung mga variety shows namin noon sa GMA, I think they have to come up with another idea para mas mapaigting pa, mas mapaganda pa lalo yung programa kaya they keep on changing.”

“Nagkataon kasi na yung trend ngayon is dumating sa point na mas nagugustuhan yata ng mga tao ang napapanood nila ‘pag Sunday ng tanghali is puro katatawanan or mas novelty pa.

“Parang nagcome-up din naman sila ng ganoong concept sa ASAP so ngayon lang na bumalik ulit sa musical, concert style, dahil siguro namiss ng mga tao yung ganoong klaseng concept every Sunday ng tanghali.

“Nagkataon din na maraming mga musical artists na nandito sa ABS. Kaya siguro bumalik yung ganoong klaseng concept ng show."

She is also happy to be working again with Jaya when the diva transferred to ABS-CBN as well. “Noong first time na pagkikita namin ni Ate Jaya, sobrang ano, parang pakiramdam namin, sobrang tagal namin hindi nagkita. Talagang ang higpit ng yakapan namin. Parang sa magkaibigan na nagkamustahan.”

Source: TNP, PEP