Singer Jona Viray recently shared that she and her mother, Arlene, are now slowly rebuilding their relationship after years of estrangement. In an interview with Karen Davila on YouTube, Jona opened up about the healing process between her and her mother, who left their family when the singer was ten years old.
Photo: Karen Davila/YouTube
The OPM singer revealed that their reconciliation has been unfolding naturally over the past year.
“Ngayon po masasabi ko po na open na po ‘yung puso ko for reconciliation kasi last year naimbitahan ko na rin po siya sa Mother’s Day dito po mismo sa Tanay (her farm house),” Jona shared. “Naka-celebrate po kami ng Mother’s Day, kasama rin po ng birthday ng kapatid ko, in the same month.”
She also shared that her mother joined her and her half-brother for Christmas that year.
“Unti-unti pong nagkakaroon talaga ng reconciliation,” Jona said, describing the experience as both emotional and grounding.
When asked whether she had ever confronted her mother about why she left, Jona said she hadn’t yet, preferring to focus on the present. “Parang okay na po ako sa idea na basta nagiging maayos na po ‘yung relationship namin ngayon,” she explained, though she added that she might ask someday when emotions are less raw.
The “Pusong Ligaw” singer admitted that the process of forgiving and reconnecting wasn’t easy. “Hindi naman din po talaga naging madali ‘yung process, ‘yung healing journey, sa kabila po ng lahat ng hindi magagandang nangyari and talagang malalim po ‘yung sugat na naiwan,” she said.
Still, time and her desire for family unity helped her move forward. “As the years passed by, nasa puso ko po ‘yung longing talaga na sana mabuo pa kami… hindi man kami magsama-sama sa iisang bubong, but mabuo kami in a sense na harmonious po ‘yung relationship naming magpamilya,” she explained.
Jona also credited her manager, Erlina, whom she fondly calls her “mommager,” for helping her through the process. “Isa rin siya sa malaking susi sa healing ko rin po at sa reconciliation with my mother,” she said, adding that her manager often reminded her to hold on to the good memories from her childhood.
Aside from mending her relationship with her mom, Jona also wants to strengthen her bond with her half-siblings. “Gusto ko rin po kasing maramdaman ng mga half-brothers and half-sisters ko na nandito pa rin ako bilang ate nila,” she added.
In a previous interview with Toni Gonzaga, Jona revealed that her parents often fought when she was young, which eventually led to her mother leaving.
ALSO READ: “Thank You for Making My Dreams Come True”: Leon Barretto Pens Heartfelt Letter to Sister Julia
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
