ADDIAM

Angelica Jones rises from the ashes, quite literally

Actress Angelica Jones has quite literally risen from the ashes, after her Mandaluyong apartment was razed to the ground seven months ago.

Jones has just recently picked up the pieces and is ready to face new challenges.

She has also just moved into a small place near Shaw Boulevard which she shares with her mother Beth Jones.

My house is still empty. I dont even have a bed. My mother and I sleep on the floor. Of course, we have a piece of foam under us but its just enough to prevent us from feeling cold. We dont even have a sofa but somebody promised to give us one, said Jones.

Almost all her belongings were burned down save for statues of saints and a few personal things she hand carried while fleeing from the fire.

I am starting from the scratch. Of course there were people who helped like Giselle Sanchez who offered me, aside from morale boosting, clothes to wear, Jones said.

It was a very sad experience, she confessed.

The Joneses said they appealed to people they have supported in the past but their appeals went unheeded.

The politicians we campaigned for last elections didnt even give a hoot about our plight. Its very ungrateful, but I think God made me suffer to rethink my priorities in life, she said.

Still, she said they received help from unexpected sources, like showbiz power couple Gary Valenciano and Angeli Pangilinan. I suddenly realized theyre really good people. Gary and Angeli paid for the rent advance of my house now.

During the time she was rendered homeless, she asked help from her younger brother.

We ran immediately to my brothers house and lived there for a while but since hes married, my Mom and I had to find our own place until Gary and Angeli came to help us, said Jones.

Initially, she could not accept what happened to her. I was always crying. I had to drink. I had to smoke. Initially, I questioned Gods will but shortly after, I realized it was also my fault so I begged for forgiveness.

I had to chart my life differently afterwards. Now Im more contented. I have to rise again and use my God-given talents to make people happy, she said.

As fate would have it, a balikbayan from the US learned about Jones' sob story so he looked for her. When he found her, he mounted a concert for a cause.

I am sharing my show with the less fortunate ones especially those who are victims of calamities like fires. I am giving the proceeds to them. This is also my way of thanking my friends, Jones said.

On September 18, 2008 at Metro Bar at 8 pm, Beyond Tragedy is Jones' comeback concert with guests Gabby Concepcion, Giselle Sanchez, Faith Cuneta, Long Mejia, Brod Pete, Mojak and Polo Ravales.