my 2010 kia rio lx 4dr hatchback has an engine ticking noise

two months ago i replaced timing belt, water pump, and pullies.  Noticed what i thought was a ticking noise upon start up after finishing job.  Approximately 1 month later check engine light came on, so i pulled over and checked oil level, dipstick showed no oil at all, so i bought 5qts and refilled oil, looked underneath car and on the pully side where i did the timing belt was covered in oil, so i wiped as much as could away to see if i could find leak, and noticed it was from oil filter.  Kept an eye on oil level, aproximately 1 month later i had to add 1 qt.  I originally heard engine tick when i turned oni a/c, then when i turned on car fan only, a/c off, now i hear engine tick all the time and its getting louder even when the a/c and car fan is off.  A friend suggested might have spun a bering when i lost all the oil, upon reading in this forum i get the impression it could be bad/defective oil pump...could someone give me some advice on what it could be, as im not mechanically incined at all.  Thanks