Hardwork pays off for the grand champion of the first season of The Voice Teens Jona Soquite.
This girl sang to the top with her renditions of “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Just Dance” and “Better Days”.
Team Sarah’s Soquite gathered 44.78 percent of the votes to edge out Team Lea’s Mica Becerro, Team Sharon’s Jeremy Glinoga, and Team Bamboo’s Isabela Vinzon.
Aside from having being a small girl with a huge voice, here are things you should know about the first The Voice Teens champion.
1. A four-chair turner
Jona first captured the coaches’ heart with her rendition of “Anak ng Pasig” piece. All coaches turned for her and lauded for her ability to tell stories through singing.
Photo credit: Jona Soquite Official
2. Youngest contestant in this season
Photo credit: Jona Soquite Official
Local reports said 14-year-old Jona is the youngest contestant in The Voice Teens, but her young age did not hold her back from shining.
4. Student of the craft
Photo credit: The Voice Teens Abscbn
Jona’s father started to train her when she was seven years old. At the age of 14, Jona has joined 16 singing contests to provide a new home for her family who lives by a river.
4. Failed auditions several times
Screengrab from The Voice Teens Abscbn
This girl only got in and finally won The Voice on her 4th attempt. She previously auditioned for the first three seasons of the singing contest’s kids edition but failed.
5. Disciplined and humble
Screengrab from The Voice Teens Abscbn
If there’s someone who could perfectly describe her “work ethics”, it should be her coach. Sarah has nothing but praises to her champion who worked with discipline and humility throughout the competition.
6. Now a house and lot owner
Photo credit: Jona Soquite Official
As The Voice champion, Jona received P1 million cash, a P1 million trust fund, a P2 million life insurance plan, a brand new house and lot, a fashion package, a business package, and a dental package.
7. She never had her hair short
Photo credit: Jona Soquite Official
According to the fun facts she shared on a video posted by ABS-CBN on YouTube, Jona said she never had short hair because she doesn’t want to don short locks.
8. She’s a world champion
Photo credit: Official Team Sarah Twitter
Prior to joining The Voice Teens, she has brought pride to the Philippines by winning gold medals at the World Championships of Performing Arts in 2015. Jona won gold medals in all styles she participated in namely pop, rock, gospel, broadway, and open. Jona and her dad only had a $120 allowance throughout their stay in the US, but the Filipino community in the US and other WCOPA contestants helped them get their basic needs.
9. She’s a breadwinner
Photo credit: Jona Soquite Official
When her father lost his job, Jona has started to cling on her talent to provide for her family. She considered her WCOPA stint as a window for a break in the Philippine music industry.
