MANILA, Philippines — Singer-songwriter Jona Viray gave a glimpse of her Rizal farm where stray animals she rescued reside.
In her latest YouTube upload, broadcast journalist Karen Davila visited Jona's three-hectare farm in Tanay, Rizal, which the singer has been overseeing since the pandemic, though her rescue efforts date back to 2009.
Jona shared that she had rescued around 70 dogs and cats to date, though some of them that are ill or have disabilities are back in Manila, including one named Lupe, whose hind legs are paralyzed after an accident.
Some animals have been adopted but a majority of those still at the farm are those she and her companions have been looking after since being rescued and treated.
Many of the dogs that run free around the farm are named after celebrities like Kendall, Miley and Sitti — the latter Jona rescued from Boso-Boso in Antipolo, which she linked with the bossa nova singer.
Meanwhile, the cats — who have names like Hope, Gnocchi, Garfield and Tomas (who was rescued in Tomas Morato) — have all been neutered and spayed.
Karen asked Jona why she wasn't as public about her animal welfare efforts like fellow celebrities who are also animal advocates.
"Ginagawa ko ito not for publicity, basta I know may natutulungan kami and we're hopefully doing good work," Jona explained.
Jona joked that she isn't able to mingle or date because all her spare time and energy are dedicated to the farm. — Video from Karen Davila's YouTube channel