MANILA - All was lost for Jhalanie Matuan who ended up alone and unnoticed, begging on the streets of the metro, digging up piles of trash for food or anything of value.

Jhalanie dug hard -- day after day, night after night, garbage after garbage, until she found used pencils and coloring materials, and then herself.

Those pencils and coloring materials, worthless for those who used to own them, reminded her of a dream she once dreamed back when she was young and hopeful, years before all the misfortune rained upon her like an angry monsoon downpour -- a dream of holding her own simple art exhibit.

READ: How homeless woman transforms pain into art

Like all broken dreams on the verge of reconstruction, it was all sketchy at first for Jhalanie, especially on the weary metro streets she once referred to as "bagsik ng Maynila."

But stroke by careful stroke, she drew and painted -- improvised -- with all the materials she'd pick up on trash.

Until the dream came into form, little by little, and people began to notice.

Today, I had a rare encounter with this incredible artist along Buendia Avenue. I have actually been noticing her for a... Posted by Mae M Catibog on Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Oh, man. This sucks. Friends and friends of friends, let us all share her story. Buligan ta sya. Cc: Marissa Torres... Posted by Dwayne Muyuela on Friday, April 24, 2015

Last Sunday was one of the most heartbreaking yet inspiring encounter I ever had in my life. An art piece from her is a daily reminder to never deny yourself instead accept who and what you are. She's DAKILA is all I can say. A photo posted by Jerica Kayla Barr (@jericabarr) on Apr 27, 2015 at 3:36am PDT

And now, as if all the universe conspired with her, the dream is finally a few days away from actuality.

"It's happening!" artist Coco Torre announced on his Facebook account, talking about Jhalanie's solo art exhibit happening Friday, August 28, at A Space Manila gallery in Makati.

Hi guys, it's happening! 2 months ago, we've been touched by the story of an artist selling her works along the... Posted by Coco Torre on Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Torre said he first heard about Jhalanie from a friend named Eric Madrazo who read posts about the woman online.

"He knew I was an artist and that I worked for a gallery," he told ABS-CBNnews.com on Wednesday. "So we were looking for her for two weeks pero wala na siya sa info na binigay sa amin."

It became into a fruitless search for quite a while, but the cosmos really wanted the dream to become reality as how Jhalanie badly want it to.

"One day nakita ko lang siya naglalakad na random.. birthday niya pa when I finally saw her," he said. "I was driving along Buendia after a lunch in Malate. Then I saw a figure sitting along the road.

"I hurried to park home the literally sprinted in my Sunday's best to catch her. I caught her walking na and about to turn into a small street," he added.

Jhalanie kindly stopped for a chat.

"She showed me her works and gave me a brief story of her life," Torre said. "In a sense na she knows her art can get her somewhere."

Torre, working at A Space Manila gallery, asked her if she'd be interested to hold an exhibit. Jhalanie was the happiest human being at that moment.

"She was excited," he shared. "Well, I know that all artists have the same dream. That their artworks make it to gallery for an exhibition. So we are selling her works and all proceeds will go to her... like 100%."

Yes, 100% of the proceeds will go to Jhalanie, with all the artists who helped Torre make the event -- the dream -- a reality hoping it would help her continue "to build what she has already began building."

"I mean, I don't mind if by next week, may sampung tao na kalsada nagpa-paint kasi sobrang inspired. Baka this is just scratching the surface for more talents in the Philippines," he said.

Here's where A Space Manila is located.

Here's the full text of Torre's heartfelt invitation to everybody who wants to witness a dream come true:

"2 months ago, we've been touched by the story of an artist selling her works along the streets of Manila.

"Amidst the challenges and perils brought by a series of unfortunate events, she continued to pursue her calling as a visual storyteller and we just knew that her passion deserved the same recognition.

"This coming Friday, August 28, Jhalanie will be realizing a dream that all artists aspire to achieve. She will be having her first solo exhibit at @aspacemanila (7pm) in Makati.

"We hope that you can make it to this very special event and see the world from her perspective. All proceeds will directly go to her cause.

"Thanks also to the people who have helped in making this possible: Pauey Silva Camille Yusay Micah Sanchez Asistores Motorman Writhes Gabrielle Bailon Jemimah Dumawal The whole A Space Team and others who we will be thanking after the event smile emoticon hope everyone can share this too."