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Nova Villa
Villa in 2023
Born	Novelita Acosta Villanueva (1946-04-16) April 16, 1946 (age 78) Quezon City, Philippine Commonwealth
Occupations	Actress comedian
Years active	1960–present
Spouse	Freddie Gallegos
Relatives	Tiya Pusit (half-sister)

Novelita Acosta Villanueva Gallegos (born April 16, 1946), better known by her stage name, Nova Villa, is a Filipino actress. Known primarily as the "Goddess of Comedy", she is regarded as one of the pillars in Philippine entertainment and is celebrated as one of the greatest Filipino comedians of all time. She has since appeared in over 150 films and has been prominent in situational comedies such as Chicks to Chicks (1971-1991), Home Along Da Riles (1992-2003) and Pepito Manaloto (2010-present).

Among her many accolades includes the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal" bestowed by Pope Francis, the highest papal award the Vatican can give a layperson. She is the third actress with the most wins (4) at the PMPC Star Awards for TV in the "Best Comedy Actress" category. She was also honored with the Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award, Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievement at the 37th Luna Awards, and the Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy at the 2012 Golden Screen TV Awards.

Career

Villa began working in the entertainment industry at the age of 17, when he was discovered by Fernando Poe Jr. while accompanying her neighbor, the comedienne Chichay, on an errand at Premiere Productions. Apart from acting, Villa also worked as a broadcaster at Radio Veritas for 14 years.

Personal life

Villa's half-sister is Myrna Villanueva, also an actress and comedian better known by her screen name Tiya Pusit. Villa is a caregiver for her husband Freddie Gallegos who remains bedridden since his 2017 stroke.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

1. Mendoza, Ruel J. (July 2, 2011). "Veteran comedienne Nova Villa surprised that she can also do straight drama". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 1, 2012. (in Tagalog)
2. "Nova Villa on being the Goddess of Comedy". ABS-CBN Entertainment. January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024.
3. Chua, EJ (June 21, 2024). "Nova Villa's colorful career in comedy and drama". GMA Network. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024.
4. "TiktoClock: LIVE! Nova Villa, magpapatawa sa 'TiktoClock!' (July 18, 2023)". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
5. "Meet the younger selves of veteran stars in these throwback photos! | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
6. "The greatest comedians of all time(Third of a series)". www.philstar.com. August 19, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
7. "Nova Villa, Happy Homebody!". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
8. "Nova Villa honored with highest papal award". January 15, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
9. "Pokwang does provocative dance number as tribute to Lifetime Achievement awardee Nova Villa". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
10. "Mother Lily at Nova Villa, pinarangalan sa 37th Luna Awards". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
11. Calderon, Ricky L. "Gloria Romero, Mel Tiangco, Nova Villa, Eddie Garcia get special lifetime achievement citations in Golden Screen TV Awards". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
12. "Nova Villa recalls how she was discovered by the late Fernando Poe Jr". GMA News. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
13. "7 Ways to Remember Tia Pusit". GMA News. October 10, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
14. "Nova on Tia Pusit: In the end, what prevails is love". The Philippine Star. October 4, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
15. Gonzalez, Rommel (November 16, 2024). "Nova Villa opens up about condition of bedridden husband". pep.ph. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
16. GMA New Media, Inc.. "'It' girls rock the silver screen via GMA Films' Metro Manila Film Festival entry Sosy Problems". gmanetwork.com.
17. Check out at the cast of 'Sosy Problems' GMA Network. Retrieved 10-11-2012
18. MISS GRANNY Trailer [In Cinemas AUGUST 22]. YouTube. Viva Ent. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
19. ^ Rodriguez, Isa (December 18, 2015). "Blast From The Past: Do You Remember These Old Filipino TV Shows?". When in Manila. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
20. "The Maricel Drama Special: Tatak ng Pagkasuklam feat. Nova Villa [FULL EPISODE]". Youtube. Jeepney TV. December 6, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
21. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (October 9, 2023). "Nova Villa has 'GMA's blessing' to star in ABS-CBN's Can't Buy Me Love". Philippine Star. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
22. Llemit, Kathleen (April 12, 2024). "Nova Villa on joining 'Can't Buy Me Love': 'Pwede pala ako mag-drama'". Philippine Star. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
23. Bardinas, Mary Ann (March 24, 2024). "Nova Villa's adorable off-cam moments in "Can't Buy Me Love"". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
24. Smith, Chuck. "Winners: 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival awards night". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 28, 2015.

External links

• Nova Villa at IMDb

• 1946 births
• Living people
• ABS-CBN people
• Actresses from Quezon City
• Comedians from Quezon City
• Filipino film actresses
• Filipino people of Spanish descent
• Filipino television actresses
• Filipino women comedians
• Filipino Roman Catholics
• GMA Network (company) people
• Ilocano people
• Actresses from Pangasinan