Paul Christian Ocampo

EXCLUSIVE: Jona Viray opens up about successful 20th year concert and purpose as a fur parent

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Kapamilya singer Jona Viray opened up about the challenges and triumphs behind her milestone concert while also using the moment to amplify her advocacy as a fur parent, encouraging pet adoption and stronger support for animal welfare initiatives.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>, Jona shared how grateful she was for the positive feedback she received following the success of her concert, <em>Jona: Journey to the Arena</em>, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last November 2025.</p><div>“Nao-overwhelm din ako kasi siyempre off stage, before the concert started mula sa planning stages hanggang sa set up — sa venue, marami talagang nangyayari na hindi nakikita ng mga tao. May mga unfortunate events, delays, materials na hindi pa kumpleto pero I’m so grateful dahil hindi nila nahalata yung mga iyon na pagdating ng venue, maganda yung feedback,” Jona said.<img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767329749217Jona.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Despite the threat of bad weather on the night of the show, the singer expressed her heartfelt appreciation to everyone who still came out to celebrate her 20-year journey in the music industry.</p><p>“I feel grateful na despite na may paparating na sama ng panahon noon. Marami pa ring pumunta and everybody celebrated with me in my 20th year journey so I’m grateful number one to God na siya yung nag-orchestrate na mangyari itong concert ko and of course to my special guests and icons, sa manager, fans and supporters,” she added.</p><p>Jona’s anniversary concert delivered an unforgettable night for fans, highlighted by her powerhouse vocals, star-studded guest appearances, and surprise performances, including a much-celebrated reunion with her fellow La Diva members Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia where they performed their iconic rendition of “Angels Brought Me Here” and “Golden.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/11/12/jona-viray-s-journey-to-the-arena-a-celebration-of-two-decades-of-music-1449" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Jona Viray&#x27;s Journey to the Arena: A celebration of two decades of music</strong></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ5hzxyASem/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A13355697.49999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="858" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><p>“Sobrang nostalgic pa rin ng pakiramdam din talaga na it feels like yesterday since we last perform lang na ganoon pa rin ka-tight yung performance namin and harmonies. Nagpapasalamat din ako talaga kay Aicelle and Maricris for saying yes to be with me sa aking 20th anniversary show. Natutuwa talaga ako kasi na-appreciate pa rin kami ng mga tao,” Jona told <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN.</strong></p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-13" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQl7AAykpjI/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A13%2C%22os%22%3A13355705.800000072%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-13" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Looking ahead, the singer shared her hopes of focusing more on creating and releasing original music, as well as collaborating with fellow artists.</p><p>“Ang wish ko rin talaga ay makapaglabas ako ng maraming original songs this time and makipagcollaborate ako sa mga kaibigan ko na artists. Talagang hopefully kasi mahirap na rin yung schedule and ayon nga yung 70 plus na anak (pets) ko,” Jona said. “Hopefully when it comes to music, makapaglabas talaga ako ng original songs.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ_fjwrkjfg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A13355713.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="747" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div> </div><p>Beyond music, Jona expressed her personal advocacy for animal welfare. A known fur parent, she described pet care as a lifetime commitment that requires dedication.</p><p>“Sa mga gusto mag-alaga, it’s a lifetime commitment na para ka talagang may baby, forever baby so you have to have a dedicated heart and compassion talaga sa kanila. Kailangan mo rin talaga magdedicate ng oras para sa kanila,” Jona advised.</p><p>She also encouraged the public to consider adopting pets instead of buying, noting that many animals in shelters are in urgent need of care.</p><p>“Isa rin sa pinupush ko na advocacy is to adopt more. Hindi sa pinagbabawalan mo sila but we are really encouraging people to adopt pets talaga kasi maraming naiwan pa sa shelters na nangangailangan ng immediate care, medical care. Sana magbukas yung puso natin sa mga animals na nasa shelter,” she added.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-15" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_IvttrBl25/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A15%2C%22os%22%3A13356656.100000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-15" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/16/jona-viray-shares-what-made-her-decide-to-build-a-farm-for-her-rescued-cats-and-dogs-1636" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Jona Viray shares what made her decide to build a farm for her rescued cats and dogs</strong></a></div><p>Jona further called on communities and local government units to support programs such as spay and neuter initiatives, especially for stray animals.</p><p>“I also want to add na sana suportahan din natin yung mga projects like pag-spay and neuter, especially yung mga stray animals. Sana yung local government nation mabigyan ng pondo yung ganoong project para macontrol antin yung population at mas maayos na sanitation sa communities. Sana mapush antin yung trap, spay, neuter and release,” she expressed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/10/28/jona-viray-on-experiencing-abuse-from-her-father-i-feel-strong-enough-to-share-my-journey-1311" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Jona Viray on experiencing abuse from her father: &#x27;I feel strong enough to share my journey&#x27;</strong></a></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABuRlIAyyP5NGHUZ"></script>

<p>Jona Viray encourages fur parents to adopt more rescued animals from shelters.</p>