Nova Villa

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Acosta, the birth surname or paternal family name is Villanueva, and the marital name is Gallegos.
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 active1960–present
SpouseFreddie Gallegos
RelativesTiya Pusit (half-sister)

Novelita Acosta Villanueva Gallegos (born April 16, 1946), better known by her stage name, Nova Villa, is a Filipino actress.[1] Known primarily as the "Goddess of Comedy",[2][3][4] she is regarded as one of the pillars in Philippine entertainment and is celebrated as one of the greatest Filipino comedians of all time.[5][6] 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).[7]

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.[8] 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,[9] Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievement at the 37th Luna Awards,[10] and the Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy at the 2012 Golden Screen TV Awards.[11]

  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.