Jana rises from the ashes

Curtain-raiser:

• It is said that among the Hashtag lookers, it was Ronnie Alonte who got most of Vice Ganda’s affection and attention. Yes, was (past tense). According to the Funfare DPA, one time Ronnie left his celfone in a rush and Vice got it, and read this message: Hihintayin kita. It came from a beauty queen who didn’t bag the crown but finished a semi-finalist. Moral of the story? Delete “secret” messages as soon as you get them and keep your celfone secure in your pocket at all times.

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This is the inspiring story of a girl who rose from the ashes and, full of hope and faith in God, picked up the pieces of her life, thankful that she’s alive.  

Remember Jana Victoria, the leading lady of a very fresh and gorgeous-looking Piolo Pascual in a movie titled Lagarista almost two decades ago? Directed by Mel Chionglo, Lagarista is about a biker (Piolo) who delivers reels of films showing simultaneously in two or more theaters. The producer tries to save by limiting copies of the film to the minimum.

With Piolo Pascual in the 2000 film Lagarista.

Anyway, it had been many years since I last heard of Jana who was mentioned in a TV newscast as having been at a mall with her then boyfriend when a strong earthquake hit China. Then, I saw her again three Sundays ago at ChildHaus when its “mother superior” Ricky Reyes and patron Hans Sy treated the resident cancer-stricken kids to the annual Christmas party. Jana was among those who donated goods to the event. That was where Jana told her story fit for Charo Santos-Concio’s MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) or Mel Tiangco’s Magpakailanman. Let’s see who beats who to the draw.

“In spite of everything that happened to me, I have a lot to thank God for so I still celebrated my birthday last May 28,” Jana started to tell her story as we sat at a corner of the drizzle-soaked tent. “I still feel blessed despite the trials in my life. I’m still grieving over my mom who died in December last year. Two months later, in February, our house burned down. I’m thankful that I’m alive. I realized that nothing on earth is permanent but God’s love. God is good. The tragedies showed that we are not in control of our lives, only God is.”  

So in gratitude, Jana celebrated her birthday with 300 students at the Pamarawan Elementary School in Malolos, Bulacan. She donated school supplies, fed the students and hosted parlor games. Present to help Jana were her daughter Jordana, Lance Raymundo who sang, and Jana’s siblings Joy Valentin who brought cupcakes and Jack (with children Julia and Raevic) who distributed toys. Friends Bianca Lapus and Guglielmo were also around.

“I also thanked WLM transport who provided a bus for our use,” said Jana, “and to direk Omar Deroca and direk Elaine Lozano who helped organize the event, together with my high school classmates and friends from Victory Every Nation who helped as well.”

Recently seen as “guest” in the GMA drama Onanay, Jana still looks good enough to resume her acting career. She’s now shooting an indie which she also co-produces.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)