Jona Soquite. Screengrab from the Voice Teens Youtube account
“Discipline and humility are the traits of a true champion.” And Jona Soquite has these.
This was according to her coach, Sarah Geronimo, shortly before the 14-year-old was awarded on Sunday night as the first ever “The Voice Teens” grand champion.
READ: Jona Soquite voted as 1st grand champ of ‘The Voice Teens’
As grand champion, Jona was awarded a brand new house and lot, P1 million in cash, a P1-million trust fund, a P2-million life insurance plan, along with fashion, business, and dental services packages.
Jona, the youngest contestant this season, garnered 44.78 percent of the combined text and online votes.
Placing second was Isabela Vinzon, 15, with 22.42 percent. On the third slot is Mica Becerro, 17, with 17.79 percent; and Jeremy Glinoga, 17, a close fourth placer with a score of 15.01 percent.
“She has joined all the auditions for The Voice Teens, and always, she would go home crying. She didn’t stop until she finally got in. My daughter is really a fighter,” said Jona’s father shortly before the announcement of winners held inside the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.
Coach Sarah said that, from meeting Jona for the first time during the blind auditions, she had seen the teenager mature from a “good story-teller to an amazing performer.”
“She sings with her heart, and she is not afraid to try different genres,” Sarah said.
Dubbed as the “Tabing Ilog Sweetheart of Davao,” Jona has joined various singing contests in her home town in Toril, Davao City.
She said this was to provide a new home for her family who lives by a river.
“She gives her best in all of her performances. It’s like every show is the finals for her,” Sarah added. “She was able to inspire a lot of people with how she performed. That’s what brought her to the top.” /atm