MANILA, Philippines - Jonalyn Viray surprised members of the press when she appeared during the press conference for ABS-CBN's upcoming TV show "We Will Survive" on Wednesday.
The singer, who is known to be connected with GMA-7 and a product of the network's "Pinoy Pop Superstar" singing competition, was tasked to perform the song's theme song, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
After her performance, it was announced that Jonalyn is now a Kapamilya.
Surprise! Jonalyn Viray is now a Kapamilya. She's at the #WeWillSurvivePresscon pic.twitter.com/mpQ0hSRp1j
— PhilstarShowbiz (@PhilstarShowbiz) February 24, 2016
The 26-year-old singer also said she now goes by the name of Jona.
"Syempre, very happy. At kinakabahan po ako," Jonalyn said of her transfer to ABS-CBN.
She added: "Kinakabahan po ako kasi syempre bagong environment po, bagong makakatrabaho."
Jonalyn shot to fame as GMA-7 singer; for years, she was known as one-third of the female singing group La Diva with Maricris Garcia and Aicelle Santos.
Asked why she decided to move from GMA-7 to ABS-CBN, she said: "Siguro po kasi, mas nabigyan nila ako ng tiwala sa ngayon. Saka meron talaga naka-line up na project for me."
As for the name change, she said: "Jona, actually, nickname ko po kasi siya. So yun po ang binigay sa aking pangalan ngayon kasi it's a fresh start."
"Bagong home rin po, bagong environment. So, Jona."