07/09/2025
🎙🎶 Jong Madaliday is a formidable contender for the title of The Clash 2025 grand champion. 🏆
His journey in the competition, coupled with his prior experience as a Season 1 runner-up, positions him as a seasoned and emotionally compelling performer.
Several factors make him a strong candidate to win the grand prize, which includes 1 Million Pesos, a management contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center, and a house and lot worth over 4 Million Pesos.
Jong Madaliday, often referred to as the “Trending R&B Star of North Cotabato,” rose to prominence through his talent and persistence.
Hailing from North Cotabato, a province in the Soccsksargen region of Mindanao, Jong grew up in a relatively remote area, which initially limited his exposure to major music opportunities.
He began gaining attention at the age of 15 through YouTube, where he posted covers that showcased his smooth R&B style, earning him a significant online following.
His early online presence laid the foundation for his career, making him a local sensation before he ventured into national competitions.
Before The Clash, Jong participated in It’s Showtime’s talent competition segment PINASikat as the lead singer of the three-piece music group BMP, demonstrating his early involvement in the music industry.
In 2018, at around 18 years old, he moved to Manila to audition for The Clash Season 1, marking a pivotal step in his career.
Despite facing challenges, including a temporary setback during the COVID-19 pandemic when he parted ways with GMA Network in 2021, Jong remained active on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
His consistent engagement with fans through TikTok Live and his YouTube channel, which has over 417,000 subscribers and earned him a Silver Play Button, kept his career alive.
By 2022, he expressed excitement about new management handling his singing career, signaling a resurgence in his professional journey.
His social media success culminated in amassing over one million followers on both Facebook and TikTok, a milestone celebrated by fellow GMA artists like Anthony Rosaldo and Claire Castro.
Jong’s story is one of resilience, leveraging digital platforms to maintain relevance and connect with fans worldwide, even when mainstream opportunities were scarce.
His emotional performances and relatable persona have endeared him to audiences, with judges and fans alike noting his ability to evoke deep emotions through his singing.
Jong Madaliday returned to The Clash in its seventh season, The Clash 2025, as a “Clashbacker,” a term for returning contestants from previous seasons.
Having been a runner-up in Season 1 in 2018, where he reached the Top 6 and competed in the grand finale, Jong entered the 2025 season with experience and determination.
The season, hosted by Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz and judged by Christian Bautista, Ai-Ai delas Alas, and Lani Misalucha, premiered on June 8, 2025, and concluded on September 7, 2025, with 14 episodes.
Jong’s journey in The Clash 2025 was marked by standout performances that showcased his vocal prowess and emotional depth.
In Episode 4, aired on June 29, 2025, he performed a tearful rendition of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, which moved judges Ai-Ai delas Alas and Lani Misalucha to tears.
The performance went viral, garnering 1.5 million views on The Clash’s official page within a day, and secured his advancement to Round 2.
Host Julie Anne San Jose was also visibly emotional, highlighting Jong’s ability to connect with audiences and judges alike.
In Episode 7, Jong delivered a soulful performance of Billie Eilish’s “I Love You,” further cementing his reputation for delivering emotionally charged performances.
His ability to capture the essence of each song’s emotion was a recurring theme throughout the competition.
As the competition progressed, Jong faced a critical moment in the final “Matira ang Matibay” showdown on August 24, 2025, where he was at risk of elimination.
Competing against Nef Medina, Jong performed a heartfelt rendition of “Say Something” by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera.
While judge Christian Bautista chose Nef, both Ai-Ai delas Alas and Lani Misalucha voted for Jong, securing his place in the Top 5 finalists alongside Juary Sabith, Vilmark Viray, Arabelle Dela Cruz, and Liafer Deloso.
In the lead-up to the grand finale, Jong reprised “Tadhana” in the Top 6 round, proving his consistency and readiness for the final stage.
His journey was characterized by resilience, having overcome health-related setbacks in Season 1 and the pressure of returning as a Clashbacker in 2025.
His performances consistently highlighted his vocal control, emotional delivery, and ability to connect with both judges and viewers, positioning him as a strong contender for the finale.
You got this, Jong! Good luck tonight! Mindanao represent!!! 🎉
Noel On The Road ✈️🌎
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