Arzen Rose Dulzura

Jona Viray shares what made her decide to build a farm for her rescued cats and dogs

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

Jona Viray opened up about the story behind her decision to build a farm dedicated to her rescued cats and dogs.In an interview with Karen Davila for her YouTube vlog, the Kapamilya singer shared how she ended up purchasing a piece of land in Tanay, Rizal, which she eventually transformed into a sanctuary for her pets.&quot;So far po po talaga &#x27;yung isa sa mga first choice and isa sa mga first options po na nakita po namin. Kahit sobrang matindi po talaga &#x27;yung pagaktirik po noon to the point na sa bawat step mo madudulas ka, pero sa sobrang desperation ko rin po talaga ng time na &#x27;yun,&quot; Jona recalled.The singer explained that the idea took shape during the pandemic when her rescued animals were all cramped inside her house in Quezon City.&quot;Pandemic time, biglang nagsara bawat barangay sa Metro Manila. Hindi ka basta basta pwedeng makkaatawid sa kahit anong lugar po di ba, kailangan ng permit. That time po ongoing &#x27;yung pag-rescue sa alaga po namin. Lahat po sila naipon sa loob ng bahay ko po sa Q.C., 24/7 magkakasama po kami. Hindi po sila napapalagay sa sobrang dami na rin po nila sa loob ng house. Parang sila po uneasy na rin sila,&quot; the singer recounted.She went on: &quot;Napagdecide-an ko na talaga na maghanap na ng lugar na mas malaki for them para maka-roam around po sila ng malaking area, free to run, kung ano pong gustong gawin ng alaga po.&quot;Her farm is now home to around 70 rescued cats and dogs.When asked about the monthly cost of maintaining the farm, Jona shared, &quot;Siguro po naglalaro po sa ganun na ₱100,000 less or more... Ang pinaka mahal po talaga sa hospital bills po kasi may unexpected na magkakasakit,&quot; she said.Jona also revealed that she once considered leaving show business altogether to focus on farming.&quot;Nung pandemic po nung namalagi po ako dito, siguro for almost 8 months, halos everyday po ako nandito, naisip ko po na parang mag-quit na lang po sa showbiz na kasi na-feel ko po &#x27;yung pagod, &#x27;yung burnout, parang halos wala talagang pahinga for 18 years. So dun ko po naramdaman sige dito na lang ako titira sa bundok and then magtatanim and hopefully maging business po. Kaya lang siyempre tinatawag pa rin tayo ng natural calling natin sa music, sa pagkanta kaya I guess pwede naman po pagsabayin,&quot; she stated.<div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o-CDPv-BHmc" title="Why JONA VIRAY Built A Farm For Her 70 Rescued Cats &amp; Dogs! | Karen Davila Ep228" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Jona recently celebrated her 20th anniversary in show business.In a recent interview with MJ Felipe on TFC&#x27;s Are You G?, the Kapamilya singer looked back on her two-decade journey in the music industry, sharing that while she is grateful and content with what she has achieved, she still has many dreams she hopes to fulfill.&quot;Masayang masaya ako na nakaabot ng 20 years and I am very content talaga. Siyempre may mga dreams and goals pa naman na sana mas maka-release pa ako ng mas maraming original music, and maka-collaborate sa mga magagaling na Filipino artists and hopefully mga international arists na rin,&quot; she remarked.The singer also expressed her hope to continue working steadily while inspiring the next generation of artists.&quot;&#x27;Yung nilo-look forward ko sa 20 more years, gusto ko na maging steady lang, to be an inspriation pa rin especially sa mga young talents na hindi madali &#x27;tong journey na &#x27;to pero sana huwag silang susuko sa pangarap nila. The moment na malapit ka ng sumuko, next step &#x27;yun na pala &#x27;yung inaasam-asam mong goal so huwag kang gi-give up. Konti na lang talaga, you are closer to your breakthrough,&quot; she stated.

Jona Viray's farm in Tanay, Rizal is now home to 70 rescued cats and dogs.